Library Tour, Anyone?

Sullivans School students listen with rapt attention to the presentation made by MWR Base Library staff (photo: S. Parker).

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Yokosuka, Japan—Last spring students from the Sullivans School (TSS) at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, (CFAY) attended the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Base Library for an orientation tour which included an introduction to the library’s E-Library lending program, their virtual library, a tour of the physical library and a sneak peek of the upcoming summer reading program, “PAWS to Read.”

MWR Head Librarian Erica Stiner arranged the tour for students of TSS 4/5 Multiage program and began the tour in the CFAY Japanese Instruction Room adjacent to the entrance of the Community Readiness Center (CRC).

She first showed the students how to sign up for an electronic library card, then demonstrated how to browse the library’s selections, search the database for favorite titles, and finally how to download their selections using a Kindle app, or Overdrive software, both free downloads that enable customers to use the service.

Ms. Stiner mentioned that appointments are available at the library for all patrons who wish to download and checkout E-books from the Yokosuka Library. There is no fee involved, simply sign up at the library for a time that is convenient for you, bring your mobile device, (iPad, iPod, Android, Ereader, etc.) and library staff will assist you in downloading the software, setting up passwords, and searching for libraries to use. The entire process usually takes less than a half hour and you can check out your books right there at the library or from the comfort of your own home thereafter. Did I mention the service was free?

TSS student Christopher Gundy was very enthusiastic about the service and stated unequivocally, “I’m doing this! I’m going to bring my mom here!” Students were encouraged to bring their parents to the library and sign them up for the program also.

Ms. Stiner stated, “Reading will be always be a relevant skill for these children, both now and in the future. No matter how formats change, these skills will remain necessary. We want to start the children out young, feeling comfortable coming into our library, and building confidence in their library and technological skills; so that we can build a love of reading they will carry into adulthood.”

Ms. Stiner and library technician Tess Naval then led the children on a tour of the physical library that featured their Japanese language section, the children’s room, a Young Adult collection, as well as the large fiction and nonfiction areas in the physical library. The children ended the tour with a library scavenger hunt that utilized the internet based card catalog and an invitation to sign up for the Summer Reading Program, “PAWS to Read.”

Thank you, Yokosuka Library for opening your doors to younger readers.

For more information about Yokosuka’s MWR Library programs, please contact Erica Stiner at [email protected].

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