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Scott Library named best in the Air Force

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Herard
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The Scott Library's motto is "Something for Everyone."

Where else could you go on base and find a CD or DVD, Internet-ready computers, children's story time and aids for Professional Military Education or school?

Because of everything the library has to offer and more, the Library was named 2009 Air Force Library Program of the Year.

The library is one of 19 in the Air Force to have received a 5-star rating. Last year, they had more than 103,000 patrons and 223,000 items circulated.

"Being a military library, we serve preschoolers to retirees, so we try to cater to all ages because families rely on us," said Ronda Raesly, Scott Library Technician. "We are all very knowledgeable. If one person can't help you, another one can."

The library provides first-term Airmen briefings, and transition from military life to civilian life briefings.

Dee Bayley, Scott Library lead technician, said, "A majority of us are military wives, and we have lived here for a while. I feel like we have a wealth of information to help the Airman working on his or her career development courses, or the family who just arrived."

The library staff has worked to provide a variety of programs for everyone including summer reading groups.

Military spouse Nishawn Southerland said, "They have lots of activities for children such as preschool story time and summer reading groups. It's a fun place to go."

The library continues to develop more programs to increase readership in the base community. It has also helped expand the homeschooling program on base that is used by 180 children. The library is also working toward expanding their young adult collection to attract more teenagers.

"I feel fortunate to serve one of the best communities ever," said Ms. Raesly. "We genuinely care about everyone who comes in, even if it is just for two minutes. We feel like we have built a relationship with them, and we want them to leave with what they came here for."

The library is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8:15 p.m., Friday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed all Sundays and holidays.