Volume 2005, Issue
October 13, 2005

Project Highlights

Cannon AFB Library

Check Out Your Future was the eight-week Summer Reading program at Cannon Library. The kids who participated in the program were treated to a magic show, a mock trial, a martial arts demonstration, and visits from an entomologist, the local fire department, fitness trainers, and a story teller.  A total of 213 children registered for the program, with 95 actively participating in reading and 65 completing the program. Children logged their reading and earned small prizes along the way.  All children completing the program were entered in a grand prize drawing for a bicycle.  Each child completing the program received a prize bag at the end of the program party along with certificates, cake, and punch.

Eglin AFB Library

Eglin Base Library wrapped up an amazing Summer Reading program at the end of July with a Medieval Faire at the Base Youth Center. The Queen of Books (library director Vicky Stever) and King of Computers (systems administrator Tony Brown) opened the event with a regal procession led by authentically costumed bagpipers and a man-at-arms. Over 175 people, many in medieval or fairy tale costumes, took part in the colorful pageant.  Attractions included game & activity booths, a fortune teller, the opportunity to arm wrestle a librarian and the "slaying" of a dragon piñata. Kids examined chain mail and other medieval items on display by the Society for Creative Anachronism.

 "Library @ Lodging" is a new Eglin Library outreach program serving residents in temporary living and visitors quarters. Donated paperbacks and children's books are shelved in laundry rooms and reception centers in three Base locations. These “non-accountable” items are perfect for late-night reading attacks or whiling away laundry time, especially for folks without transportation—some lodging facilities are miles away from the library. The situation with Katrina refugees provided the perfect opportunity to put the long-considered program into action.

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Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Library

Continuing Education. Five IIa staff from Goddard are in school this semester. Two have just started information science programs—Bridget Burns at the University of Maryland and Nikkia Anderson in Drexel’s online program. Key Key Jeter has started working on a business management degree. Dan Smith is continuing his computer science degree and Christine Myers is taking a night course at University of Maryland preparing for a Ph.D. program. To celebrate this commitment to lifelong learning, the Library staff hosted a “Back-to-School” lunch complete with peanut butter & jelly or bologna & cheese sandwiches, spaghetti (cut into one-inch pieces) with sauce, potato chips, a piece of fruit, and a Little Debbie Snack Cake.

New Technologies. In July, the Goddard Library Systems Team coordinated with vendors (SIRSI, GMRI, and Sun) to migrate all the library’s date to new server and Solaris 10 operating system. They celebrated the successful migration with a server migration picnic, which including the grand unveiling of the new server name (Libstar), and the crowning of Uthra Rao, Systems Administrator, in recognition of a job well done.

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Langley AFB

Staff were proud to show off all of the library facilities and services at a reception in late September. Several dignitaries were in attendance, including Carol A Emery, ACC Command Librarian; Linda Grieb, ACC Command Technician; Captain Gail Lee, 1SVS Flight Chief; Lori Vega, Deputy Services Commander; and IIa’s own Bonnie Carroll, Pat Powell, and Deborah York.

Throughout September, the Library ran a “Smart Card” registration campaign for Library Card Sign-up Month. Staff members went to places like the Officers’ Club, the Fitness Center, and the dining hall to register new members and promote the Library. Each new registrant was given a ticket for a drawing for three themed gift baskets. Winning tickets were drawn at the reception.

The reception and “Smart Card “campaign could not have happened without the hard work of staff members, Ernestine Batten-Meekins, Lorraine DiCecco, Vickie Keck and Leslie Smail, who helped to put it all together so beautifully!

It was superhero time at the Bateman Library this summer during the Super Readers are Super Heroes Summer Reading Program, which featured graphic novels and comics.  In addition, there is a new brightly decorated Teen Area at the library to encourage teenagers to read. Staff are also pleased to be offering a Dial-a-Story service in both Spanish and English for our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, courtesy of library assistant Raquel Reyes.

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NBII Southern Appalachian Information Node (SAIN)

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