The base library holds nearly 40,000 items that can provide numerous benefits for Airmen and their families, ranging from education, creativity, entertainment and more.
One of the library programs focuses on the education and interest of the youth, such as story time, an event that encourages early literacy for children.
“We read anywhere from three to four books to the kids, and then we follow it with the craft based on the topic of the book that we read,” said Lori Urfer, 366th Force Support Squadron senior library technician.
Another goal for the educational programs is children having fun as they learn, creating an atmosphere where kids feel comfortable.
“We have our Summer Reading program, which is very well attended and popular,” said Debbie Worthington, 366th FSS library supervisor. “Last year, we had around 200 people come to the opening party.”
The library also owns 3D printers, creating areas to support the ideals of 21st century technology.
“This is all about innovation and creation,” Worthington said. “3D printing is so prevalent nowadays in science and technology.”
Patrons can order an item to be made from the 3D printer. When finished, it is placed on the display case for people to see the item, get new ideas or purchase. The library holds events promoting imagination and fun, such as hands-on 3D printing.
“They were really excited and think it’s such a cool thing,” said Tiffany Chun, 366th FSS technical service technician. “We’ve made a T-Rex skull, a sabertooth tiger skull, giraffes, puzzles, Pokémon and a whole bunch of different things.”
While the library offers a variety of resources that help promote creativity and fun, it has a wide selection of books for patrons to check out.
“We have plenty of fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, books for teenagers, and we have reference books, so any kind of study material especially CLEP study guides.” said Roxanne Bangs, 366th FSS circulation services technician.
There are tools that distinctively focus on military challenges in the library. Some books provide resources about reintegration, PTSD and families coping with deployments.
The base library has a DVD section that contains over 6,000 DVDs. Some of the DVD genres are action, educational, children and more. There are also Blue-Ray movies available, and some of the movies in the library can be purchased.
“They go on sale if they don’t get checked out for about three years, or if they don’t get checked out enough,” Roxanne said. “If we get donation DVD’s that we already have a copy of or if we just don’t think it's worthy of being on our shelves then they’ll go on the cart.”
The library is open Tuesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday noon to 5 p.m. They are closed on Sunday, Monday, Holidays and ACC down days.
“We are here to meet people’s needs,” Worthington said. “Those needs maybe information, social, entertainment or maybe they just want to relax. We have so many ways that we can help people be happy and that’s our whole goal. Anytime someone walks in those doors our goal is to make them feel welcomed — we’re so glad to see them.”