Libraries only having books a distant memory Published May 22, 2007 By Airman Alex Martinez 90th Space Wing Public Affairs F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- When most people hear the word "library," the first things they may think of are books. Yes, the Warren Library has many books, but that is just the beginning of discovering the new and exciting resources the library provides to Warren members. For Airmen new to the base, it can be a challenge to check important personal e-mail or rent a movie off base. The library can help. "You can rent movies, books, books on tape, magazines and music for a week at a time," said Lara Schnick, library representative. The selection in multi-media is all new material. The library staff purchases new movies, music and books every few months to include all genres; the most popular being children's movies. "We don't want people to think that we have only old and outdated things," said Nicole Vejcek, library representative. New magazines come in every month, and except for the most current issue, they are available to be checked out. Customers can rent up to four movies and five music CDs at a time. "If you need movies, books or CDs longer than a week, you can just give us a call and we can renew the rental over the phone," Mrs. Vejcek said. While checking in or out materials, Warren members can see what new events the library is offering such as monthly reading events. There is a weekly story and craft time for kids that takes place on Fridays, Mrs. Schnick said. The story and craft time begins at 11 a.m. and targets children around the preschool ages. There is a different theme each week; for example, last week readers spoke about Mother's Day and children participated in crafts. Mother's Day and Father's Day events are done early so children can send deployed parents their crafts. "Reading events like this get kids interested in a lot of different things," Mrs. Schnick said. Summer means more activity at the library since children and the youth will be out of school and have more time to participate. A summer reading program starts June 8 and lasts until August 17. This year's theme, "Get a Clue," is inspired by detective and mystery stories. The library is in the process of organizing crime scene investigation game nights and live action "Clue" nights. If the Internet is a better way for customers to be involved with the library, the faculty has a computer lab with Internet access on all computers. The library is also equipped with wireless Internet connection so customers can come in with their laptop and be connected for free. The library has access to many databases for researching high school and college projects. Although libraries traditionally mean books, today's facilities are dubbed multi-media resource centers designed to appeal to base members of all ages and with different interests. For more information on the base library and upcoming events, read Service's "What's Happening" newsletter or call 773-3416.