Library re-opens with wider selection of reading, class materials

  • Published
  • By Airman Ty-Rico Lea
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson consolidated library re-opened its doors after a month of remodeling, in hopes of garnering the attention of more service members and dependents. Library director Marcia Lee, 673d Force Support Squadron, welcomed military members and spouses with the help of the Air Force brass band, as they performed for the occasion.

"We have doubled our Common Access Card-accessible computers; now we have 27. We have also added a quiet study room for those who wish to read books in peace," Lee said.

The library is located on the first floor of room 123 Building 7 on Chilkoot Avenue, JBER-Richardson, and offers a wide variety of books, videos and electronic media. Building 7 also has an education center with additional libraries and classrooms open to military operations and individuals with CACs.

Classrooms also have college courses held for College Level Examination Programs and Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support.

Language learning programs are also available to service members and dependents. Programs such as Rosetta Stone, Transparent Language and Mango provide visual and auditory learning sessions. Wireless Internet is also available for all patrons.

The remodeling of the library consisted of new paint, new carpeting and widened sections of reading material.

"All staff members at the library are trained to provide any information that is pertinent to all Soldiers' and Airmen's needs for online training courses ranging from college classes to mission readiness," Lee said. "Customers also have the option of requesting material not provided in the library which we would then order and have available at the library."

Lee went on to explain that the Consolidated Library is a full-service library that hosts various age-specific programs. Child activities include Dads and Duct Tape, Guy's Read, and Princesses and Pirates. Teen activities include Teen Read Week. Adult activities include Foods Around The World, Tea Tasting and Crafting and E-reader instruction.

One new program that they provide is the Universal Class which provides online continuing education courses to schools, libraries, companies, educators and individuals throughout the world. It is designed to advance intellectual exchange in teaching, research, and service with its technology and belief that lifelong learning should be affordable to all people of all cultures.

The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library can be reached at 384-1648.