Library takes stories to next level

Photo By Laurie Pearson | Naomi Dance, a military wife, and her daughter Iris, color an inflatable bus together during Story Time and Craft at McTureous Hall Library aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif. Aug 1.  

BARSTOW, CA, UNITED STATES

08.10.2017

Story by Laurie Pearson  

Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

Vanessa Garcia, lead library technician and Reece Dillingham, library technician, offer a wide variety of events and programs at the base library, located at McTureous Hall aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif. throughout August.
“The first and third Tuesday of each month is Story Time and Craft from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.,” Garcia said. “Everyone who has base access is welcome for Story Time and Craft.”
The more, the merrier seems to be their motto. As children filter into the library with their parent or another caretaker, Garcia and Dillingham greet them and lead them to one of the reading areas where pre-selected books are ready to be read to the children.
These events are organized up to a year in advance between Garcia and Reece, along with guidance from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton’s library staff, explained Garcia. In addition to the books, correlating crafts accompany the reading session.
“The supplies are purchased a year in advance for Story Time, too,” Dillingham said.
Tuesday, August 1 Garcia did a dramatic presentation of the book “Buy My Hats” by the author Dave Horowitz, entertaining children and mothers alike. Afterwards, Dillingham brought in the craft supplies and the children colored a bus which had a secret balloon hidden in the middle. Once Dillingham and Garcia helped the children color, they then used straws to inflate the bus turning it into a three-dimensional piece of art.
“We make Story Time fun and have the family enjoy the craft that comes along with it,” Dillingham said. “The children get to share their art with parents, grandparents and friends, too.”
In addition to Story Time and Craft, they also host Play Morning the third Friday of each month in the Library. The children are guided through interactive play sessions with one another allowing the parents to enjoy each other’s company, as well. They also host events with School Age Care and the Child Development Center for reading and craft activities.
“On average we have eight to ten children join us for Story Time and Play Morning events,” said Garcia. “For the SAC and CDC events, we often have twenty to twenty-five children.”
The Library offers a wide range of services to adults, too, to include “Universal” library classes for those trying to brush up on college courses.
“It’s an actual class, with a one-time sign-up,” Dillingham said. “There is a teacher, and everything is online, done either at the Library or in the comfort of your own home. Participants do receive a certificate upon completion.”
Zino is another offering, with a one-time sign-up, which can be used on your computer, phone, or other hand-held devices to sign up for free magazines.
“If parents want a movie night for the family in their own home, we also have a selection of movies and video games for Play Station, XBox and Wii,” Garcia said. “There is no charge. The rentals are for three weeks.”
If someone is running a bit behind in returning a book, movie or game, there is an easy fix.
“Just call us and we can do a renewal over the phone,” Dillingham said. “We also do faxing and scanning of documents for customers, and they’re allowed to use the computers. They can print up to five pages per day. The best part? It’s all free.”
Library hours are Mondays to Thursdays 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. They are closed on weekends. For more information call the Library at 577-6395.
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• Date Taken: 08.10.2017
• Date Posted: 08.10.2017 16:37
• Story ID: 244486
• Location: BARSTOW, CA, US