JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Col. Robert Lyman, Joint Base Charleston commander and Donna Worden, Berkley County Library System director, signed an agreement to partner the Berkley County Library with Joint Base Charleston at the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce March 2, 2016.
When the Naval Weapons Station and the Air Force Base became a joint base in 2010, the libraries weren't given additional staff to keep both libraries open. The agreement allows the BCLS' bookmobile to supplement the Naval Weapons Station library starting March 8.
"The same personnel from the overall joint base library system operate both libraries," said Lt. Col. Ralph E. Taylor, 628th Mission Support Group deputy commander and the base's P4 partnership director. "So, when the air base library is closed, the weapons station library is open, and vice versa."
The bookmobile will be available to base residents when the Weapons Station is closed. It has print and digital books, audio books and DVDs for all ages. The bookmobile also offers computer stations with access to the library's databases and Wi-Fi.
The agreement is one of many initiatives put in place by the P4 program to partner with local communities and save Air Force resources while strengthening relationships within the community.
"We have a great relationship with the Lowcountry and all the surrounding Charleston communities," said Taylor. "Having these P4 initiatives even makes it stronger because we're meeting with them on a quarterly basis ... and discussing new initiatives."
The bookmobile is the first partnership for the Joint Base and the BCLS, however they are hoping to work on more initiatives in the future.
"The agreement is the first step to a long-lasting relationship with Joint Base Charleston WS," said Barbara Ash, the BCLS children's librarian.
The quick responses of the BCLS staff helped make the partnership a success, said Angela Aschenbrenner, Joint Base Charleston libraries director. Aschenbrenner said the P4 team, Ash and Worden were very helpful throughout the entire process.
"I'm very thankful that they were patient while I worked through (the approval process.)" said Aschenbrenner.