MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- When seeking to further education or research a topic, the Moody community can rely on the Information Learning Center Library to fulfill their needs.
The library continues to provide educational resources, even during a global pandemic, by creating new procedures while complying with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.
“The mission of the Moody Air Force Base library is to provide information resources in the context of fiction and nonfiction books, DVDs, audiobooks, as well as online databases, for the enjoyment and professional development of personnel assigned to Moody Air Force Base,” said Jess Echord, 23d Force Support Squadron library director. “Due to COVID-19, we had to resort to appointments only, so we could control the flow of the business that we could take care of. [Another] thing that we put into place is what we call curbside service.”
These newly implemented services allow customers to select items they want to check out through an online catalog. If the items are available, the customers can contact the library to set up a time to retrieve the items. Customers receive the items from a staff member, who delivers them to the library parking lot at the predetermined time.
“The [curbside service] minimizes human contact time,” said Echord. “It’s an artificial barrier that’s been set up for people’s safety. We want to be people-oriented as much as possible, while also complying with the mask and distance criteria on base.”
In addition to day-to-day operations, the library promotes recreational reading with the Summer Reading Program and encourages higher education.
“The intention of the Summer Reading Program is to get folks of all ages involved in reading, and we consider ourselves a viable resource in that regard,” said Echord. “We provide support and research assistance to the students and staff of five colleges and universities on base,” said Echord. “These are Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Georgia Military College, Park University, Valdosta State University and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.”
For Senior Airman DeCarlos Staples, 23d Communications Squadron client systems technician, the library has been a helping hand in his educational development and personal interests.
“The library helps me because it provides the tools and resources to help me further my education,” said Staples. “I, typically, go for College Level Examination Program and Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support testing and Community College of the Air Force resources. [The library] has what I need for specific classes and topics I’m interested in.”
For more information on the ILC Library or to schedule an appointment, call 229-257-3539 or visit moodyafblibrary.com. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.