Eielson library serves as mecca for education

  • Published
  • By Glyn Gardner
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Where do you go to get a study guide for a CLEP test? Who has public access computers on base? If you're here on Eielson, the answer is simple: the base library.

As soon as the snows melted this year, the Eielson library moved to its current location beside Anderson Elementary School on the first floor of the community center. The move was prompted by the new base exchange construction.

After several weeks of moving, shelving books, hooking up computers and doing everything else it takes to get the library running, the librarians reopened in their new home.

"The only problem is that now we are out of the way for the Airmen who need our services," said Cathy Rasmussen, library director. "We have a lot of new customers, but we've lost a lot of our Airmen who used our computers for e-mailing during their lunch hour."

What else does the library have to offer?

"Aside from the usual books and periodicals," said Rasmussen, "we also have a wide range of study guides for DANTES and CLEP tests as well as a youth and young adult room and several special collections of books."

Those study guides come in several formats, ranging from books to CD-ROM, audio CD's, and DVD's. "There's many different ways to study," said Rasmussen. "People just need to know were we are and what's available to them.

One of the special collections is the Chief of Staff's collection of recommended reading.

Another is a series of books dealing with deployment issues, and even a section dedicated to the military spouse.

Also, the lean across the Air Force and women in the military collections are available.

The computers, they're not just for e-mailing. The library has subscriptions to several online resources that are totally free to library patrons.

"You don't even need to come to the library to use them," said Anne Eddleman. "You can access the GALE and EBSCOHost databases from home. All you need is a username and password that we have available."

Also, you can sign up for a net library account. This service allows you to access the full text version of some books from any computer. When the book is due back, you simply loose access to it and it is returned.

"Most of the net library is educational," said Rasmussen. "Things like, tax preparation, Cliffs Notes, language studies and test study materials are all there for the taking."

Of course study materials aren't the only thing the library has to offer. They have a huge selection of videos to check out, as well as DVDs.

"We only started collecting DVDs a few years ago," said Eddleman. "Now we have well over 600."

Of course, they still have books. Most new books are there. The new Harry Potter--it's there. But, as one can imagine, some of the more popular books do have a habit of staying checked out for a while, at least at first.

If they don't have a book, they can get it. The interlibrary loan system is now world-wide.

"If any library in the military has a book," said Eddleman. "We can get it shipped here at no charge to our customer."

The library is also the Air Force's source of mission-essential reading materials for offices. These include the Jane's series of books, some computer reference materials, means/cost manuals, and some legal periodicals.

So, if you're taking a test, doing research for a class, trying to send an e-mail, or just looking to snuggle up to a good book; go visit your local library. With over 60 years of combined experience, the library staff will help you find just what you're looking for.