Half library, half community center: Warren’s Communibrary Published April 4, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Daryl Knee 90th Space Wing Public Affairs F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- A recent budget cut for service programs and space issues due to renovations prompted a wing-level decision to change the way in which two facilities operate. The Fall Hall Community Center and the base library programs have merged into a now open "communibrary" located in the base library at 7205 Randall Ave. "I don't think of it as if I'm losing anything," said Lt. Col. Carleton "Chop" Hirschel, 90th Force Support Squadron commander. "The only thing I'm doing is expanding people's horizons and offering new opportunities to enjoy these fantastic facilities." The library and community center performed some of the same functions, Colonel Hirschel said. Consolidating them into one area secured the future for both. People who liked the community center but wouldn't have normally gone to the library now have an opportunity to enjoy both facilities at the same time. "The way I look at it," the colonel said, "is that last year, we had 10,000 books checked out from the library ... out of 40,000. I have the room to keep nearly 15,000 books and open all the community center programs that you all loved. "We're not closing down the library," he continued. "We are retaining the most popular aspects of the library and community center." The books are being stored in a climate-controlled facility. Depending on future funding, once the community center is fully functional, the library may be restored to its previous state. The Fall Hall programs needed a new home because of a renovation that starts in April with a scheduled completion date in 2010. Until that time, the newly dubbed "communibrary" is the solution. The center is open now, but is scheduled to be completely functional the end of April or the beginning of May. "I think a lot of people don't realize how this is going to work," Colonel Hirschel said. "You have to come see this place because, holy cow, it's big." The new center will have an area for pool, ping-pong and foosball tables, he said. There's also a game room with the current gaming systems, all with Internet capability. A movie room with surround sound and theater-style lighting rests in the building. "Think about it," Colonel Hirschel said. "Before, you could check out movies from the library. Now, if you want to, you can watch them right here on a big screen TV with surround sound. And I'll tell you what, these speakers look [incredible]." These new installments have not caused the library to suffer, he said. The head librarian will remain on staff. The children's books have not moved and a partition has been created between the reading area and the community center activities. People will still be able to check out books and read them in a quiet, comfortable area of the "communibrary." "We've also made a few changes to the lobby," the colonel said. "What does this look like to you?" he said with a wave of his hand toward the middle of a room filled with couches, stools, soft lighting and coffee tables. "That's right, a lounge from a professional bookstore. And just like how they operate, we're going to serve coffee and snacks here." Apart from the improvements made to both the community center programs and library programs, the key is synergy, he said. "What can be better if a parent comes here to check out a book for their child, and he finds out that the community center is offering an event for children the next week?" Colonel Hirschel said. "It's all about the synergy. I mean, this is not your typical library. Here, you can enjoy a quiet read in the professional reading room, or you can rock out to . "I don't know what's in the future for these two facilities," he said. "But right now, this is a ... good solution."