I’ve been a reader my whole life. Regular trips to the library were a staple of my childhood. No matter where we lived, we quickly found the library. I remember the summer we lived on a ski resort while our new house was built. I was miserable to be away from all my friends with no cable, until I discovered a tiny branch of the county library within walking distance. I visited the library almost every day, and my summer improved significantly.
As a military spouse, I have deepened my love for reading and my desire to find a strong library system. I couldn’t imagine how I was going to find -- or even if I would be eligible for -- a local library each time we moved. Thankfully, Morale, Welfare and Recreation has already addressed this by providing the military’s MWR library network.
1. MWR Libraries Are Just Like Public Libraries
The Department of Defense Library System includes more than 60 physical library locations across military communities in seven countries. And they operate the same way your local public library does. You can borrow books, access eBooks and audiobooks, get help from librarians and find resources for every age and stage of life.
If you’re lucky enough to have a library at your duty station, you can go and get a physical library card just like you would in the community. Some also offer story hours for toddlers, book clubs, and events to help you meet people in your new community.
When I became a military spouse, I visited the local library in Sierra Vista, Arizona, and got a library card the week we moved in. Then we moved to Germany, and I discovered a library on-site. Thankfully, it had DVDs I could borrow (yes, I lived in Germany that long ago) and many books!
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2. You Can Use It on Libby
The military’s library network also partners with Libby, making it even easier for service members and their families to access books on the go. Once you have a library card, you can borrow eBooks and audiobooks directly from DoD digital collections and read or listen on your phone, tablet or Kindle. No physical library visit is required, which is great if you don’t have a library on your installation.
So, whether you’re moving, travelling, or living off-base and want to avoid the traffic at the gate, you can have a stash of books on your Kindle, ready to go. Keep in mind that often, you’ll have to “confirm” your eligibility when on Libby, which means grabbing your ID card each time. It also means that your eligibility may be tied to the expiration of your ID card.
One of the things I love most about using my DoD library card on Libby is that it doubles the books available to me. If my local library has a hold on the book, the DoD may not. More books!
3. Librarians Are Wonderful
Have you ever met a librarian who wasn’t wonderful? I haven’t. One of my favorite memories of a librarian was when my oldest child got his first library card. He was so very excited, and so was this librarian! She made a big deal out of it, and it was such a great experience. It turns out she was also a military spouse!
Librarians are passionate about their work and highly educated in a variety of areas. They can help with research, academic projects, resumes and help you find your next favorite book. They are a great reason to go to a library in person, and they can answer many of your questions -- about military life and the local area.
4. It Supports Education at Every Level
While I personally visit libraries mostly for pleasure reading, they also offer extensive educational resources. These include K–12 support and homework help, as well as college-level research databases and certification study materials.
The system is designed to support learners at every stage. Many installations also host educational programs, reading initiatives and virtual learning opportunities.
Many libraries have study rooms, which are great if you need to escape the noise of your house to work remotely, finish a school paper, or just want some quiet time.
If you’ve never explored what your DoD library access includes, it may be worth taking a look. Your next favorite book is waiting!
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