Christianity: Details about 'Christian Science Reading Room'
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Branches of the Church of Christ, Scientist normally maintain a Christian Science Reading Room in their community where the public can study, borrow, or purchase Christian Science literature. There are approximately 2000 Christian Science Reading Rooms worldwide. Such information includes the Christian Bible, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, other writings by Mary Baker Eddy (who established reading rooms as a church activity), and other items published by the Christian Science Publishing Society. Reading rooms are usually placed in public places—often storefronts—though occasionally situated within a church building itself, open either full or part-time, and attended by either a regular librarian or by members to assist or answer inquiries. The first Christian Science Reading Room was established in Boston in 1888. The Christian Science Journal proudly noted that it was in "one of the most eligible locations in Boston.. in the Hotel Boylston, over the Steinert piano warehouses.. where some of the best concerts are held." According to Paul Eli Ivey, "By the early twentieth century, Christian Science reading rooms began to appear in the business districts of cities and featured the Christian Science Monitor as well as religious literature." In many parts of the U.S., Christian Science Reading Rooms are ubiquitous parts of the downtown landscape. A book by Kristin Hahn speaks of "Breezing by the Christian Science Reading Rooms prominently centered on main streets all across America." Novelists use them to characterize respectable-but-shabby commerical districts. A mystery novel by Loren D. Estleman characterizes the location of a detective office by putting it among a beauty school, a plumbing supply store, "a hearing-aid shop, a Christian Science reading room next to a medical supply outlet." A fictional cop in a novel by Peter Plate steers a patrol car "past Siegal's Tuxedo Shop, Queen's Shoes, Discoteca Latina, The Eggroll Express, The Christian Science Reading Room, and Duc Loi's Meat and Fish Company." The Simpsons' fictional town of Springfield contains one. More seriously, a private school guide mentions that a because a certain school adheres to the Christian Science philosophy, "parents should consider stopping in to a Christian Science Reading Room for more information to be sure that they are in sync with the approach." References
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