More than just a book on a shelf

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Staff members of the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Watkins-Das Library want to spread the word that libraries offer something for everyone, for free.

"There is so much the library has to offer," said Kim Huskins Webb, supervisory librarian. "We can help with your recreational, informational and educational goals. We offer books, movies, Internet, information, story time, book clubs, foreign language material, testing material and more. With household budgets so tight, it just makes sense to save your money."

Are you feeling lucky?
The library hosts a family game night the second Thursday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m.

"We offer a selection of games and people can play each other or just with their own family," Ms. Huskins Webb said. "Gaming has become a very popular activity in libraries around the nation. Not only does it improve literacy skills, it meets the library's mission of providing recreational and educational needs of our community."

Families can try their hand at board games or they can go head-to-head on electronic games. The library added video games for PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360 to their shelves in September.

"Games of every type play an important role in developing fundamental competencies for life," according to Jim Rettig American Library Association president. "They require players to learn and follow complex sets of rules, make strategic and tactical decisions, collaborate with teammates and others - all things they will have to do in college and in the workforce."

Something for the little ones
For those who are looking for a more traditional way to share reading with their families "Story Time with Nana Belle" happens Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Story time is open to preschool, elementary school and home-schooled students.

"Introducing children to books and reading at an early age has been proven to improve children's educational potential later in life," Ms. Huskins Webb said. "Our children's room offers a cozy place for parents and caregivers to spend time with their children."

Joy Edwards, wife of Tech. Sgt. Johnny Edwards, 333rd Fighter Squadron, brings her daughter Rochelle, age 2, to story time each week.

"I think it is great, it gets them out of the house," Mrs. Edwards said. "She was never really into books before this but now she likes to look at them at home."

Story time provides parents more than a chance to share books with their children.

"I have met a lot of people here," Mrs. Edwards said. "We make play dates for our children."

Library staff members including Becky Dennison, also known as Nana Belle, are on hand to help both adults and children select age and reading level appropriate books.

"We have such a great staff," Ms, Huskins Webb said. "They are very friendly and extremely qualified to help you find what you need."

Food at the library?
The library staff hosts a Brown Bag Book Club the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at noon. The event is open to everyone.

"Participants are welcome to bring their lunch, drinks are provided," Ms. Kim Huskins Webb said.

The clubs selects books based on popularity or the recommendation of other book clubs.

"We always have at least five copies of each of the selected books," Ms. Kim Huskins Webb said. "Groups can check out multiple copies of book club titles along with the guide if they want to have their own book club."

More than just a bunch of books and shelves
Ms. Kim Huskins Webb believes a library is not just a place to get a book or check e-mail, but a haven.

"Having been a dependent myself, practically living in the base library, I know what a wonderful resource the base library can be," she said. "(It's) a place to go when your best friend just PCS'd, a place to meet others with no family close by. (It is also) a place to sit quietly and read or listen to a book or magazine. The library, especially, a military library, offers so much to the base community -- books for children and retirees, or movies, video games and educational material for Airmen. (It's) a community place where you are always welcomed."

Check it out
The base library is open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Sundays and holidays. For more information about library events, call 722-5825.