Off base libraries accessible for DLT Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christine Griffiths
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Air Force-wide Airmen are dealing with fiscal changes. One of those changes here deals with the closure of the base library.

The base library closed in June, however Airmen still have the opportunity to use library facilities off base.

The Eckstrom-Columbus Branch Library has a variety of amenities for all ages, to include new furniture, books and reading areas. These are just some of the few things that have been renovated since September 2012.

"We have a great café area, we have a new reading area that has some tables with plugins, where they can insert devices," said Mary Sanchez, Eckstrom Columbus Branch Library branch manager. "We also have a newly redesigned teen space and children's area and lots of new books that came in because of the new remodel."

One of the first questions Airmen may ask, "Is a library card easy to get and is it free?"

"It's very easy to get a library card," Sanchez said. "We need to have a picture ID, military ID works, and proof of residency, and then we can get them a full-service card. It's totally free, and they can get it right when they come in."

With a new library card, the possibilities are endless when it comes to being at the library or browsing their resources online said Sanchez

"We have lots of online resources," said Sanchez. "So once someone has a library card, they can go to our website where they can download e-books or audio books directly. We also have
lots of great databases. So if students are interested in preparing for college they can find practice tests, college-level examination program or even the armed services vocational aptitude battery."

The library also has a free service that allows patrons to download up to three free songs a week, that you can be saved to a computer, as well as free magazine downloads.

The Eckstrom-Columbus Branch also features many different programs for every age.

"For children, we have three story times a week," said Sanchez. "For the toddlers and pre-school crowd, we have family story time. We also have a gaming program for our tween and teen group, and we are going to a special program presented by IT Nation where they we digital resources to teach teens and adults how to edit videos and similar kinds of thing."

Airmen are not limited to visiting the Eckstrom-Columbus Branch, but can visit two other locations: Miller-Golf Links Branch on Harrison and Golf Links and Murphy-Wilmot Branch on Wilmot and Fifth St.

The Eckstrom-Columbus Library is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For any information about available activies as well as online resources, visit www.library.pima.gov.

For more information call the information line at 791-4010.