Senior library technician loves life, learning Published Jan. 25, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- What is a career? Is it working a long time at the same place? Maybe. For Anne Eddleman, who has spent thirty years working at the Eielson Air Force Base Library doing what she loves best, a career is a lifetime spent sharing her thirst for knowledge with others. She arrived at Eielson Air Force Base in the summer of 1979 as an Air Force spouse, but immediately looked for a job opening at the base library, said Eddleman, now the 354th Force Support Squadron senior library technician. "I did some bookkeeping before I came to the library," said Eddleman. "I wanted a library position because I've always worked in libraries as a volunteer." The following summer she was hired at an entry-level position, working seven hours a week at the base library. She was responsible for filing, shelving and checking all manners of books. This did not bother Eddleman who benefited from working in an environment very familiar to her as result of her early introduction to libraries and a love of learning. "My grandmother was a librarian," Eddleman said. My mother worked in libraries, so I was in libraries all the time and I am a reader. Where else would you go for knowledge?" "She is a library groupie," said Marcia Lee, 354th FSS base librarian. In addition to enjoying all things concerning books and knowledge, the thirty-year librarian's outgoing attitude and fun personality made her a prime candidate for working with people. "She likes to connect people with information," said Lee. " ... always challenging them to find more knowledge and get to the root of what they are looking for." As a result of her hard work and friendly personality, she instantly won over the base librarian of the time, who in the fall of 1980 offered Eddleman a full time job. From that moment on she never looked back, working diligently for the next three decades to ensure the Eielson Library remained an invaluable resource to Airmen and their dependents. Over the years, she has occupied all jobs offered at the base library. Together, her wealth of knowledge, love of life and passion to help others, in part, has made her a key figure in the development of not only the library, but the preservation of various shops who rely on her to obtain mission essential reading materials. Eddleman's thirty years of service to Eielson patrons places her among a list of unique individuals who do more than their fair share to enhance lives each day. She may not have been here the longest at Eielson, but she certainly sets the bar for those who plan on making a career here. "I always knew that I was going to stay in library work," said Eddleman. "That's just what I love, but I happen to love this library. This is a great library." It is also a good base with good people and wonderful coworkers -- superb librarians, added Eddleman. Eddleman said she likes the smaller size of Eielson, and its welcoming atmosphere has made it a place difficult to walk away from. The base library provided the ideal place for growth and upward mobility and because she has had a chance to experience every job in every grade as far as library technicians or aids go, there was never a thought of leaving. After working here for so long and committing herself to Eielson, she realizes how rewarding the experience has been altogether. An opportunity to work with parents and their children has made all the difference, said Eddleman. "I totally enjoy children coming back to me as they grow and say 'I learned to love reading because of you,'" Eddleman said. Eddleman's drive to find answers has made her a better leader and an expert in her craft -- orchestrating people and programs that carry on the reputation and legacy she helped create.