JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Wide-spread green-effort initiatives and budgetary constraints are changing the face of the Air Force. As a result of these efforts the Joint Base Andrews library has reduced manning and limited hours of access. However, optimists often say, wherever there is dark cloud, there is a silver lining.
"As part of the Services Transformation Project the library digital services which are available 24/7, 365 days a year have been expanded," said Col. Thomas C. Joyce, U.S. Air Force director of services. "We have purchased more than 20-online databases and digital services with links on the Air Force Portal Library tab. The Air Force Digital media OverDrive collection provides users with the capability to download e-books, audio books, movies and music directly to a non-military computer, mobile device, tablet or e-reader."
The improved technology contains more than 10,000 digital items and gives members instant access to a wide-variety of resources for their educational development.
"Other resources on the Air Force Portal's Library include full text articles for research, college level practice tests, self-development courses, country studies as well as Information Technology, security and management materials," said Joyce.
Air Force-level experts compiled and analyzed program performance of 72 bases, reviewing base and market overview, base population, community similarities, operation costs, customer satisfaction, patronage, and profitability to determine how to best meet budget targets while improving service. Patrons of the base library witnessed the results of these modifications when the hours of operation changed Feb. 16, 2013.
Team Andrews library is closed on weekends and holidays. They are now open Monday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
"You don't have to come out to access library materials," said Cheryl Gritton, Andrews Library director. "We have had digital services for decades but we now have the new Zinio Digital Magazines included in our increased OverDrive e-book collection."
Members can set up a Common Access Card enabled account on the AF Portal or visit
http://www.andrewsfss.com/library.html to register.