Photo: Stadtbibliotheck in Stuttgart, Germany (image by Chelsea Bostelman)
Did You Know About These Library Perks for the Military?
Every April, libraries and library workers are celebrated during National Library Week. When is the last time you visited a library?
For good reason, books come to mind for most people when thinking of libraries. But beyond the tidy stacks of well-organized literature, you will find a bounty of digital resources, education programs, writing workshops, guest speakers, and those handy resources called librarians.
A librarian is an invaluable resource for tackling tough questions like:
- Do I cite references in my scholarship essay?
- Textbooks are so expensive! Can I borrow them from the library?
- APA is changing from 6th to 7th edition – HELP!
- How do I research my family history?
- Can I check out resources to help me prepare for CLEP testing?
Librarians are information specialists. If they can’t answer your question (which they often can) they will know where to find answers for you. What’s even more impressive is that you usually don’t have to step foot into a library to ask for help or use library resources.
Most libraries have an Ask a Librarian chat feature that gives quick access to librarians and their wealth of knowledge from your home. Consulting with a librarian or using library programs help you research more efficiently and online resources are often available from home.
US Army MWR Libraries Free Online Resources
US Army MWR Libraries are an extensive network of 70 libraries, spanning 7 countries. These services are available to service members in any military branch, their families, Veterans, and DoD civilians. In addition to youth programs, book discussion groups, and computer labs, this library network offers tons of online resources.
Did you know you can read the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and Los Angeles Times every day, for free from home?
Sprechen Sie Deutsch? If you want to learn German, you can do that too, for free, from home through MWR Library online resources.
Through US Army MWR Libraries, you have 24/7 access to:
- Academic databases with peer-reviewed journals
- Audiobooks for adults and children
- Auto repair manuals and resources
- Computer software tutorials
- Digital language learning resources
- E-books for adults and children
- Family ancestry resources
- Film and documentary databases
- Investment tools
- Magazines and newspapers
- Military training resources
- Online courses to learn software programs, yoga, photography, history, and health
- Small business management resources
- Test-prep resources for common tests like ASVAB, CLEP, ACT, and GRE
- Transition resources
- Tutoring resources
To Register, visit or contact your local MWR library. For those not in the Army, access is available through MilitaryOneSource and explained in the same registration link.
Careers in Library Science
If you enjoy research, information management, and navigating technology, a library career might be a good fit for you.
According to the American Library Association, libraries provide many job opportunities:
- Pages keep libraries organized. They typically work part-time and make minimum wage.
- Library Assistants perform clerical duties like checking materials in and out, collecting fines, and issuing library cards. They work part or full-time and make $8-15 per hour.
- Librarians help people with research, make decisions about purchasing materials and can specialize in multiple areas. Often full-time positions, librarians hold various degrees and the average starting salary is approximately $40,000.
- Library Managers and Directors are responsible for library operations including budgets, strategic planning, public relations, and ensuring compliance with laws. Salaries vary greatly depending on the size of the library.
Beyond community libraries, librarians can work in specialty areas like medical, museum, government, theological, or elementary school libraries.
Education Requirements for Librarians
Education requirements for library careers vary from state to state and also depend on the size of the library. A certificate, associate, bachelor, or master’s degree may be required, and most employers hire librarians who graduate from ALA-accredited programs.
CollegeRecon partner schools with 100% Online Library and Information Science Degrees:
The List of Library Perks is Extensive
Celebrate National Library Week in April by tapping into the bounty of resources available to you and then enjoy these perks all year long!