NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - “There is no knowledge that is not power.”
An old Mortal Kombat proverb is inspiration to any motivated Trooper. So where does one obtain knowledge? Where does the quest for enlightenment begin? Let us enter the library.
The Morale, Welfare and Recreation Community Library at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba reopened to the public, April 12, and is stocked with enough brain food to feed the entire island.
The library closed in February to undergo renovations.
“It hadn’t had any work done to it in at least seven years,” said Amy Roumell, MWR supervisory librarian. “The carpet was worn, stained and pink. The walls were really worn down. We get over 135,000 people a year coming through here and you could really see the wear and tear.”
With the improvements completed, the library’s new atmosphere provides a relaxing environment and welcomes all those hungry for knowledge and entertainment. The library offers something for all ages with more than 25,000 items to check out. Books, audio books and DVDs are readily available for check out by members.
A person must be on island 45 days to become a member and to obtain a library card: the key to the untapped knowledge on the shelves.
“That’s really the beauty of public libraries, the access to information for everyone,” said Roumell. “You can learn about anything from the flowers on Guantanamo Bay to JFK.”
Sunlight radiates through the library windows and bounces off the refinished floors onto the pages of readers’ paperbacks. That familiar, pleasant book-smell lingers in the air; a smell a reader can’t get from his brand new Kindle. The leather recliners are perfect for an afternoon read, and better yet, if one has the luxury of time, a nap.
There are 18 brand new computers all updated with Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2007. Each workstation has a web cam providing guests with the ability to connect with loved ones across the world for free.
If you’re lying in bed late at night wondering what your family and friends are doing, take comfort in the fact that new LED lights and extra electrical outlets were installed outside of the library. Free wireless internet is available between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m. for the public to set up camp with their laptops and mobile devices.
“It’s been good,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Bustillos, who uses the library’s WiFi to contact home. “Skype works and I’m able to see my family. It’s nice to see them; I usually contact them about once a week.”
Roumell expects new items to come in monthly and takes requests for new orders. The library offers free books and many are brand new or newly released.
If you haven’t been to the library since your grandmother took you when you were little, come check this one out. Kick back and let the stress of life deployment as you dive into a new book and mind adventure.
“Imagination is a wonderful thing,” said Roumell. “I always like seeing the movie that goes along with the book, but I always want to read the book first.”
Enter the MWR library and gain power from the knowledge within.
| Date Taken: |
04.20.2012 |
| Date Posted: |
11.13.2012 16:34 |
| Story ID: |
97719 |
| Location: |
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: |
73 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, MWR reopens library doors after much-needed renovations, by SGT Ryan Hallock, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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