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NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Guantanamo Bay's library provides options for service members to relax and entertain themselves.
Some look forward to the weekend as a time to catch up on seasons of their favorite television show, others look at it as time to curl up and get submerged into the characters and plot of a good book. Either way, Joint Task Force Guantanamo Troopers have options for their entertainment, and those options start at the library.
Amy Roumell, library supervisor, said the library offers nearly 19,000 books, 330 audio books and 2,900 DVDs, all for visitors’ use after a simple checkout. There are also many magazines residents can read in-house.
The library offers books of different genres; from cooking, to fantasy, to classic fiction and nonfiction novels, to young-adult books. As far as DVDs go, the library offers movies and countless seasons of television shows. The library also offers the use of public computers, a fax machine, and is a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Although there are a lot of books available, the library is more than just a place to check off your reading bucket list. It offers community-centered projects and other activities for Guantanamo’s youth.
“We have a few kids’ programs held here to include story time every Friday afternoon at 1600, with crafts that go along with the book,” said Roumell. “Most months we also have a craft program, holiday parties, as well as summer reading programs. There is no sign up or registration, you just show up.”
Roumell and her staff keep track of how many visitors come in each day to use the library’s services. For fiscal year 2013, the library had 122,000 guests.
“That’s something I’m very proud of, that’s a huge number of people,” said Roumell. “I like knowing that we’re a facility that people want to use. That’s our whole purpose for being here, is to provide people with something that they want. It’s nice to know that we seem to be doing that.”
However, one thing the library is not in need of is more books or volunteers.
“If there are books in good condition, we tend to put them out with our free books,” said Roumell. “We suggest donating books to the thrift shop, but only if they’re in good shape.”
If you’re interested in checking out items from the library, there are just a few simple rules: DVDs may be checked out three at a time for three days. Patrons may check out as many books as they would like for 30 days. Although the library doesn’t charge late fees, Roumell suggests renewing books through a phone call or email; making life easier for Troopers and residents.
“We renew everything once, as long as no one has a hold on it,” she said. “If they just call and ask to renew it, I’ll do it.”
Roumell also suggests taking use of the library email because it’s an easier way for people to get the answers they need without having to leave their rooms or work place.
“People can use it to renew book, or they can ask our staff questions,” she said.
To get in touch with library staff, call extension 4700 or email library@gtmo-mwr.org.
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 01.24.2014 16:26 |
| Story ID: | 119622 |
| Location: | NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 58 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, GTMO’s library, a place to find entertainment, by SGT Cassandra Monroe, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
