Renovations, upgrades ongoing at JBM-HH Library

By Melani KimeryApril 7, 2016

Renovations, upgrades ongoing at JBM-HH Library
The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Post Library, located in Bldg. 417 on the Fort Myer portion
of the joint base, is undergoing a "weeding" — the addition of new material to the library's
collection, as well as the addition of more study areas ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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Have you noticed changes in the library on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (Bldg. 417) and wondered what was going on, and how these changes were going to result in better library services?

As directed by the head of Army Libraries, we are performing standard library maintenance tasks. One of these tasks, referred to as weeding, has a criteria established by the American Library Association. Weeding has not been performed in our library for many years. Standing operating procedures calls for a continual review of library holdings (books, videos, audio materials, etc.) and the removal of resources that meet specific criteria, which includes patron usage.

Our library has limited space and we must continually make room for new materials. Weeding is necessary to ensure our resources remain current and relevant. Our library is a recreational library and is not chartered to archive and preserve materials as is common for an academic or special library. We collect information and provide access to information. We love books as much as anyone else and sometimes hard decisions have to be made.

Because of weeding, we are able to continue to add to our collection of materials and provide better community resources. To achieve this, we are:

1. Adding Blu-Ray Movies to our collection.

2. Increasing the study areas for groups of users.

3. Finding space where large project groups can meet.

4. Preparing for *RFID implementation which will allow patrons to self-check-out items.

5. Implementing community programs for all ages.

Finally, if a book is no longer in our collection, we will assist users in locating the material in another library and facilitate an Inter-Library Loan (ILL), so the material is brought to our library. Patrons can pick it up and return it to the library. We will handle returning the material to the originating library. If patrons wish, we will also help browsers locate the material at a library closer to home. Our staff is always happy to help find an items for our customers, even if it is not in our collection.

We cheerfully welcome questions and suggestions. This includes questions about weeding, new resources, how to use your library account at home and suggestions for new books, movies, magazines, etc. Our mission is to make everyone's library experience fantastic.

Note: *RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a combination of radio-frequency-based technology and microchip technology. The information contained on microchips in the tags affixed to library materials is read using radio frequency technology regardless of item orientation or alignment. This technology will provide a greater amount of efficiency and error free functioning. It will ensure that there is quick check-in/check-out of items, quick and correct shelving, and prevention of thefts and quick inventory.

The JBM-HH Library is open Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Fridays and Saturdays, open Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., and closed on all federal holidays. For more information about the library, visit www.jbmhhMWR.com/library.