Article Added On: April 29, 2008 - 12 days ago
Title: Spiritual library needs new home
Original URL: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/city/story.html?id=04833fcd-0e69-417c-8cb2-f263d7d7647f
Author: Graeme Morton
Publication: Calgary Herald
Publication Date: April 26, 2008 - 15 days ago
Faith Groups: Other
Themes: other

Abstract: A permanent home for more than 700 books on world spirituality with topics ranging from animism to Zen is wanted.

Wanted: a permanent home for more than 700 books on world spirituality with topics ranging from animism to Zen.

Calgarian Jen Silverhorse's southeast home is bursting at the seams with books she and other members of the Diwan Kroashent society have collected in recent years.

Silverhorse, a Pagan, says she and others saw a need to compile a reference source for those interested in exploring the amazing diversity of global spiritual belief. Through word of mouth, they began accepting literary donations from individuals, bookstores and some of Calgary's major book sales conducted by charities and non-profit groups.

The collection has been so successful that Silverhorse has been having trouble navigating through her home, which has become the defacto free lending library.

"The collection is not big enough to warrant its own building but it's too large for my home," says Silverhorse.

"What would be ideal is if a tea house or coffee shop would accept them and create a place where people could come and find resources to answer their spiritual questions."

Silverhorse says the collection includes a number of Bibles and commentaries on the three Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Islam and Judaism) but also a broad range of texts on Eastern religions, native spirituality, New Age philosophies and comparative religions. Others deal with the healing aspect of various faiths and ancient traditions.

"When I think of anyone's sacred books potentially ending up in a landfill, that seems like a travesty," says Silverhorse.

"But I'd like to reclaim my house."

Silverhorse says she's convinced there are a lot of people out there with important questions about spirituality who may be reluctant to raise them among family and friends.

"Many people have been through some sort of crisis in their lives and feel like their faith just wasn't there for them," she says.

Silverhorse says the library is a resource for people who want to examine what the various faiths and traditions have to say about life's big questions.

Any group or outlet interested in housing the library is asked to call 720-2759.