Incirlik AB library encourages reading all year round

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Chase Hedrick
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
While the stereotypical library is filled with hushed whispers and long rows of books, that's not the case at the Incirlik Air Base library. Reading programs, story time and other events offer opportunities for children to get excited about reading and involved with their library.

"We have reading programs all throughout the year," said Trent Reynolds, 39th Force Support Squadron librarian. "Starting in June, we have a summer reading program that completes in the middle of August. During that time, it's eight weeks of kids meeting here once a week to discuss the books they read and do some crafts."

Additionally, children are provided reading logs when they join the program said Reynolds. When they read books and add them to their reading log they can receive incentive prizes at the library.

"Then (after the summer reading program) we shift back into our normal once a week story times with the kids, usually until about September or October, then we kick off with the reading patch program," he said. "In that program a hat and a log are issued that has 20 different categories like non-fiction, fiction, adventure, science fiction. Each time the kids read three books in each category they get a different patch. So at the end, if you complete the log, you get 20 patches on your hat to wear to the awards ceremony."

"Unfortunately, sometimes during the middle of the program kids have had to PCS with their parents so some of them don't get to complete it," said Reynolds. "But they know they can contact us wherever they are, and we can send it to them."

Likewise, personnel moving to Incirlik AB can sign up after the program's registration period, confirmed Reynolds, who also said that summer reading program logs from any Department of Defense library can be brought to a new installation and be continued. The flexibility and support of Incirlik AB library programs has earned praise from base personnel.

"This library is really nice, I like what they're doing here," said Tech. Sgt. John Geer, 39th Air Base Wing chaplain assistant, whose son has participated in several of the library's reading programs. "They have a nice selection for early readers, and if you ever need help they're always there."