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The Edwards Air Force Base Library offers unexpected pleasur
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Posted by lward Thu Dec 2, 2004 22:54:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Sometimes libraries are a lot like beautiful, generously endowed and well-dressed women. Each one has its own unique charm, fragrance, personality and style.

In the spring of 2003, my husband and I had the unusual opportunity to visit the Edwards Air Force Base (adult) Library as a field trip for a day. After getting past the armed guards at the entrance, we had quite a delightful experience.

Once we started driving onto the base, the territory was so expansive we had trouble finding the library on Chuck Yeager Boulevard, so we stopped at a gas station to ask someone for specific directions. Incidentally, the gas is much cheaper on base than it is on the streets!

A Master Sgt. Olsen cordially assisted us with directions, but before we could drive away, he had jumped into his car, pulled alongside us and said, "Follow me. I'll take you there."

When we arrived at the library a few minutes later he told us he needed to go in there anyway to get a book for his son's "Family History Project." That should ring a bell with Northwest middle school students!

The air base's adult library is perhaps one of the most fabulous I've ever seen. Of course, it cannot be classified as a public library, but as an educational institution, it's dead-on. And that's what every library should strive to be: an educational facility...the world's classroom. I'd have to say the EAFB library is one of Kern County's finest.

I investigated the library intensely for a couple of hours, gaining many insights and inspirations. In that process, I counted over 175 magazines on display; there's an entire wall dedicated to careers and job exam preparation; they have two fully active computer labs; and they have a video and DVD collection that would give Blockbuster a run for its money.

Additionally, we learned that day that Air Force veterans are entitled to a number of perks and privileges, including purchasing gasoline, shopping at the commissary and using the library.

Also, the base has a second library dedicated to children up to the age of 12.

It would be a joyful experience to have a woman...oops! ( I mean a library) like the one at EAFB in Northwest Bakersfield. If you are also interested, e-mail me at readingmobile@fastmail.fm.

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