Library renovates in style

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jose L. Hernandez
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Minot Air Force Base library partially reopened Sept. 30 after undergoing modifications designed to improve the quality of service provided to Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and their families stationed here.

However, it will have limited material available for checkout as its staff continues to finalize rearrangements of books and shelving.

"Our number one priority for now is providing Airmen with testing material and non-fiction educational books to checkout," said Julie Reiten, supervisory librarian. "These books best support education."

Providing servicemembers with information needed to support their education is a primary part of the base library's mission.

Ms. Reiten expects the library to be fully operational by the third week of October.

The library staff has been working diligently to ensure that all other library material be made available for checkout as soon as possible, said Ms. Reiten.

"Right now it's all a matter of how fast we can get the other books organized on the shelves," added Ms. Reiten.

Ms. Reiten stated that the library has not had such a makeover in nearly 10 years.

"New paint and carpeting were desperately needed," said Ms. Reiten.

The library had outdated carpet and it was not in the best of condition added Ms. Reiten. This was one of the most important of the renovations made to the library. Recarpeting the library meant all of the books had to be taken off the shelves and boxed and the shelves had to dismantled and moved from the library floor. The library also added a fresh coat of paint to lighten up the interior. After the work was completed, the shelves had to be rebuilt and the books had to be put back on.

"We have also tried to reorganize the circulation desk to improve service by moving the desks further down," explained Ms. Reiten.

Previously, she said, many customers had problems with the proximity between the library's security gates and the circulation desk because the security alarms would constantly go off as people checked out material, especially DVD's.

The renovations are all a part of the library's master remodeling plan. At some point in the future, explained Ms. Reiten, both the computer lab and their staff meeting room will be expanded.

As soon as the library is fully operational, it will host an open house to exhibit the changes made as well as honor the volunteers who helped out with the remodeling said Ms. Reiten.

Airman 1st Class John C. Auer, 17th Munitions Squadron nuclear weapons maintainer, was a volunteer who devoted time even on his weekends to help get books rearranged on the shelves.

"I consider myself a bit of a book worm because I always come to the library. Helping here has been a good way to give back," said Airman Auer.

Ms. Reiten said the library staff has been very appreciative of all the help received and would like to extend their gratitude to the several volunteers that made it all possible.

To volunteer at the library or for more information on the various programs and services it has to offer, contact 723-3344.