Record Turnout for FMWR Library's Open House

By Amelia Flanigan, FMWR Sales and MarketingApril 10, 2009

Good Reading
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The international flavor of this year's Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation Library Open House was a big hit March 31.

Active duty, civilians and contractors began pouring into the facility shortly before 10 a.m. to get their free copies of "The Thief and the Dogs" by Egyptian Nobel Laureate Naguid Mahfouz. The novel is the featured work for the 2009 Big Read in Madison County.

"I'm impressed how enthusiastic our community is to embrace a writer from such a different culture," Post Library director Gail Alden said.

Guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, gourmet coffee and tea while they read by the fire in the library's sitting area or just browsed through the stacks. Many had their names printed in color hieroglyphics by the library staff. Upon entering, each attendee was given a door prize ticket which gave them the opportunity to choose another free novel to take home with them courtesy of the library.

"This is the best turnout I've seen since I've been with the library, there were a lot of people here that had never been before. It's great!" said Laura Howell, library staff member.

The Big Read Egypt/U.S. is a collaborative Global Cultural Initiative project of the U.S. Department of State and the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Post Library participated as an invited partner with the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library.

"We are so honored to have been invited to participate by the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library. This has been a wonderful partnership," Alden said.

Many newcomers were impressed by the library's collection of works and friendly staff.

"The RSA Library is the most user friendly that we have seen since we have been in the Army," said Lt. Col. Mike Evans, whose wife has become a volunteer at the library. "The staff is incredibly helpful and welcoming. Our children feel very comfortable there and I am sure that it has contributed to their love of reading,"

Near the close of the event, guests ate pizza from Papa John's and cookies for dessert. The Post Library has many books and movies about Egypt available for checkout and information on the Tut Exhibit currently being shown in Atlanta. For more information on the Post Library, call 876-4741 or visit www.redstonemwr.com.