Summer - time to read

[The Patriot]

Summer - time to read

05-17-2013 09:56 PM

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News
100th Force Support Squadron Library
Books
DVDs Study material



Summer - time to read


by: Gina Randall
100th Air Refueling Wing PAO
published: May 18, 2013

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RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Sail away with Gipetto and Pinocchio. Travel back in time to Jacobean Scotland on the brink of war. Buckle down and study for a test. Pop in to collect a movie and find out what it's like to be a secret agent.

"You name it, we have it," said Sharon Amann, 100th Force Support Squadron Library director from San Antonio, Texas.

The library is housed in a heritage building from RAF Mildenhall's early days. In 1931, it was a mess hall. The library came later, when the U.S. military arrived. Today, users will find anything they would find in a stateside public library, and then some. The library offers media, fiction, new best sellers, nonfiction, reference, children's and young adult books for teenagers.

Entertainment

Customers can also enjoy DVDs. Each month, Amann selects between 15 and 20 new-release DVDs through the Department of Defense program.

"We get a huge list every month and I select within our budget," Amann explained.

The DVDs range from brand new feature films just released, to documentaries about the military and family entertainment.

"I try to get films that our families want to see," Amann added. "I've discovered during my time here that people really like television series. They may have enjoyed watching a series in the States and if it is not found on British TV, they can use the library to catch up. We have lots of series to check out."

The library also benefits from a DoD video games plan that sends four to five new games a month in the most popular gaming formats.

Education

But what makes this library different is the testing material not normally found in U.S. public libraries. Users can borrow study materials to practice for College Level Entry Program tests and, if they do well enough on the actual tests, are able to skip classes and save money on tuition. The library offers additional study materials for other academic testing such as the high school scholastic aptitude test, or the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, used for entrance into the military or re-classifying into a new career field for those service members looking for a change.

"If you want to become an officer, we have books so you can take the practice exam first," Amann said.

Other Capabilities

Library customers can also enjoy using the 12 personal computers, research databases, two scanners and free printing in the computer lab. Approximately 25 to 30 people a day use them for personal, business or scholastic pursuits.

The computers are used for a variety of tasks from taking exams, typing up class assignments and printing. Many people on temporary duty use them to email back to their home base. At lunchtimes both U.S. and U.K. base members use them for catching up on social network sites. The library's wireless service gives team Mildenhall members the chance to use their own laptops while relaxing on the sofa or at a table in a quiet atmosphere.

The busiest times of day for the library are lunchtime and the late afternoon when people pick up a DVD for that evening's viewing, check out CLEP/Defense Activity Non-Traditional Education Support testing guides or use the study room to focus on preparing for a test.

"I want our customers to have a pleasant experience," she said. "I want them to find what they are looking for with as little hassle as possible. We are here to help when needed, check out materials with a friendly attitude and to ensure our customers are happy. We want them to come back again and again."

Summer is just around the corner, so it's a fantastic time to get out and enjoy a good book, DVD, music CD or video game. Learn how to grow your own vegetables with the help of a gardening book. Improve your skills in learning a language. Encourage your children's reading with the assistance of a picture book and learn what it was like to live in ancient times with the help of a history book.

The base library is a treasure in the heart of RAF Mildenhall, with a wealth of riches to check out for work, school and fun.


Tags: 100th Force Support Squadron Library, Books, DVDs Study material, RAF Alconbury, RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Molesworth, News
Related Content:






Summer - time to read


by: Gina Randall
100th Air Refueling Wing PAO
published:

Share This:


Tweet

Comments
Email
Print


RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Sail away with Gipetto and Pinocchio. Travel back in time to Jacobean Scotland on the brink of war. Buckle down and study for a test. Pop in to collect a movie and find out what it's like to be a secret agent.

"You name it, we have it," said Sharon Amann, 100th Force Support Squadron Library director from San Antonio, Texas.

The library is housed in a heritage building from RAF Mildenhall's early days. In 1931, it was a mess hall. The library came later, when the U.S. military arrived. Today, users will find anything they would find in a stateside public library, and then some. The library offers media, fiction, new best sellers, nonfiction, reference, children's and young adult books for teenagers.

Entertainment

Customers can also enjoy DVDs. Each month, Amann selects between 15 and 20 new-release DVDs through the Department of Defense program.

"We get a huge list every month and I select within our budget," Amann explained.

The DVDs range from brand new feature films just released, to documentaries about the military and family entertainment.

"I try to get films that our families want to see," Amann added. "I've discovered during my time here that people really like television series. They may have enjoyed watching a series in the States and if it is not found on British TV, they can use the library to catch up. We have lots of series to check out."

The library also benefits from a DoD video games plan that sends four to five new games a month in the most popular gaming formats.

Education

But what makes this library different is the testing material not normally found in U.S. public libraries. Users can borrow study materials to practice for College Level Entry Program tests and, if they do well enough on the actual tests, are able to skip classes and save money on tuition. The library offers additional study materials for other academic testing such as the high school scholastic aptitude test, or the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, used for entrance into the military or re-classifying into a new career field for those service members looking for a change.

"If you want to become an officer, we have books so you can take the practice exam first," Amann said.

Other Capabilities

Library customers can also enjoy using the 12 personal computers, research databases, two scanners and free printing in the computer lab. Approximately 25 to 30 people a day use them for personal, business or scholastic pursuits.

The computers are used for a variety of tasks from taking exams, typing up class assignments and printing. Many people on temporary duty use them to email back to their home base. At lunchtimes both U.S. and U.K. base members use them for catching up on social network sites. The library's wireless service gives team Mildenhall members the chance to use their own laptops while relaxing on the sofa or at a table in a quiet atmosphere.

The busiest times of day for the library are lunchtime and the late afternoon when people pick up a DVD for that evening's viewing, check out CLEP/Defense Activity Non-Traditional Education Support testing guides or use the study room to focus on preparing for a test.

"I want our customers to have a pleasant experience," she said. "I want them to find what they are looking for with as little hassle as possible. We are here to help when needed, check out materials with a friendly attitude and to ensure our customers are happy. We want them to come back again and again."

Summer is just around the corner, so it's a fantastic time to get out and enjoy a good book, DVD, music CD or video game. Learn how to grow your own vegetables with the help of a gardening book. Improve your skills in learning a language. Encourage your children's reading with the assistance of a picture book and learn what it was like to live in ancient times with the help of a history book.

The base library is a treasure in the heart of RAF Mildenhall, with a wealth of riches to check out for work, school and fun.


Tags: 100th Force Support Squadron Library, Books, DVDs Study material, RAF Alconbury, RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Molesworth, News
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