nineteen hundred and forty-six - Amazon Web Services

370 SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
In spite of limitations and shortages, especially in much needed song books
and various items of church supplies, the total 1945 Book Store business was
10.40% over 1944. Every store showed an increase. We believe a greater increase
will be shown in 1946. Three new stores have been opened since the
last annual report. In Austin, Texas, a Baptist Book Store at 916 Congress,
was purchased and made a part of our system. This store was opened April
16, 1945, and Mr. Ira Harrison is now the manager. In Knoxville, Tennessee,
we purchased the Church Supply Service and converted it into the Baptist
Book Store, 618 S. Gay Street, with Dr. J. R. Black as manager. This store
began operations August 1, 1945. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, we purchased a
small book business, the Bible and Book Shop, and reopened it as the Baptist
Book Store, 103 E. Sixth Street, with Miss June White as manager. This store
opened August 15, 1945. A new store in Fresno, California, will be opened
about June, 1946.
Mr. Lacy R. Keele resigned as manager of the Dallas Store, effective March
31, 1946. Mr. H. K. Killingsworth, manager at Oklahoma City, was transferred
to Dallas, and Miss Mary Tongee, manager at Kansas City, was transferred to
Oklahoma City. No appointment for Kansas City has yet been made. The list
of the stores and their managers with addresses is usually carried in the directory
division of the Southern Baptist Convention minutes.
The prospects for 1946 are challenging beyond description. The great problem
is the production and securing'of materials. Before the close of 1946 we
believe song books, choir uniforms, communion ware, visual projectors, and
other greatly needed items will be available in almost sufficient amounts to
meet the demands.
Since last May adjustments and enlargements have been made in the physical
equipment of a number of the Stores. The Kansas City store was moved
from the fourth floor to more spacious quarters on the second floor. The Shreveport
store moved from the fourth floor of an office building to an adequate street
floor location. The Mississippi store lost its location but is occupying larger
and better quarters temporarily while a permanent place is being sought. The
Memphis store moved to a larger place and has a beautiful and adequate space.
Enlargements have been made in the stores in Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, and
Illinois during the past year.
Two special types of workers are being employed and trained for service
through our Book Stores. We want in each store a church library worker who
will master this field, co-operate with the Church Library Service of the Board
here in Nashville, and carry out an educational and promotional program
throughout the territory of the store looking toward the installation, operation,
H v l i If £ 6Very °^- ch - ., A ma J' ori ty of the stores have this minist
y now and the others are diligently seeking a worker and are caring for
tms work in the meantime through the managers and other store workers Also
we want in each store a specialist in Visual Aids and Church SuppUes This
worker will also travel the territory and be available for conferences demonstrations,
installations," and for the training of individual churchTwSrs iTthe
operation and use of materials looking toward a greater ministry
of Fe^rualv 6 ^nerf was^lun" 11 ^ T hdd h , ere in NashviU * ih * ** week
1ZOutsidesneakersJerl h^!& n - Ce . and a most varied and intensive
Uonf i^'the areas of nersonnel I m \° preSent lectures and demonstra-
^^^^i^o^'T^.SSVS^^^^^ -les, visual aids,
vJ^^X^The% to^reZrcrs 11 ! 68 ^ 10 * **$*" °J
to individuals. cnurcnes, to the denomination, and
SONG BOOKS
With the purchase of the Robert H. Coleman Sone BonV p„«,,„ J •*!.
the possibilities of production this year we look forwardI to « ^ us . mess and ^ h
the field of song book publication and distribution The rw?w m - n i f f l
?7 i of the Board is planning new books. We have on order o W i^ S \ C ? dltOT
books for delivery this year—mostly, the Broadman Hymnal We r l 2- S °* ng
printers The Coleman who will contract Song Book with Business us. to produce is being a million brought song to N»*Wiii books next
ye f r and the
Dallas agency is being closed May 1, 1946. We are anxious f i«i cm in' our Ii. con-