PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The library on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado opened its doors after being closed for four months to complete a major renovation project on March 2, 2020. Library staff have been planning this update for over a year, and the facility now boasts a new carpet and an updated modern bookstore layout.
“We were really in the trenches with the process,” said Anna Dunson, 21st Force Support Squadron library director. “You won’t see any more Dewey Decimal numbers because the new system essentially puts the subject on the spine label, making it more intuitive for people to find.”
The staff of three had two weeks last November to remove everything from the facility to prepare for contractors.
“It was a little crazy and felt like a going out of business sale the week before closing,” said Erica Johnson, 21st FSS circulation technician. “We told people they could take as many titles as they wanted to get them through the closure. One patron even checked out 150 items!”
Once the library was dismantled, the team started the process of updating over thirty thousand titles into the new cataloging system.
“The whole process has been rather insane,” said Dunson. “In the midst of all this chaos and behind-the-scenes work, the endgame has been to get back with the patrons.”
Besides information, the staff hopes patrons find a home away from home at the facility.
“The Library is critical to our installation,” said Blaine Hales, 21st Force Development flight chief. “It’s reopening is to the benefit of not only our Airmen, but the families that rely on its services in support of lifelong learning and a sense of community. It’s the heart of our force development flight!”
And the life-force keeping that heart beating are the members of ‘Team Pete’.
“The volume is always up in here, we’re always excited,” said Jenna Skibitsky, 21st FSS senior library technician. “We see these people on a weekly basis; it’s more than a rapport, it’s a relationship.”
Check out all that the library has to offer, including hours of operation, at 21fss.com.