FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Flying monkeys, talking dogs and guides for saving money; what do these three items have in common?
The answer is simple: all these items can be found in the books and DVD's located in the Groninger Library at Fort Eustis, Va.
The library which is located at the Washington Boulevard traffic circle on post offers more than 56,000 different items to customers including books, magazines, newspapers, audio books, DVD's and college textbooks. Open to all active duty service members, dependents, civilians and contractors.
Valerie Fashion is the head librarian at the library, and brings with her 30 years of experience.
"We have many items available checkout by our customers," Fashion said. "We also have computers and a Wi-Fi network available for their use."
The library currently has 12 computers available to anyone with an ID card to use, and a 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week public Wi-Fi network available. However for those planning on checking out an item, they will need a common access card or a dependent ID card.
The library also offers a variety of programs to its patrons.
"Beside the many items we have for checkout to our customers, we also have some great programs available," Fashion said. "Some of those programs include arts and crafts, weekly story time, and reading programs."
Currently the library is hosting the following events:
- It's Story Time - Every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. For those in the age range of infants to 6-years-old
- Holiday Crafts - Nov. 10 and Dec. 8. Open for all Adults.
- Arts and Crafts - Every first and third Saturday of the month from 3 to 4 p.m. Open to all ages
- After School Arts and Crafts - Wednesday afternoons from 3 to 4 p.m. Open to all ages
- Pizza Reading Contest - Nov. 3, 2012 through Jan. 11, 2013 For children Kindergarten through fifth grade.
Leslie Cruz, a library patron, and her 9-year-old daughter Jocelyn visit the library often and participate in these programs.
"This is one of the nicest post libraries I've been to," Cruz said. "We enjoy coming here because of the variety of items and events they have to offer."
Cruz mentioned how important it was for the post to have a facility like this for her daughter to come to and do creative things like arts and crafts while socializing with other kids at the same time.
"My daughter Jocelyn recently participated in the libraries summer reading program," Cruz said. "She read almost 100 books in about two months."
With 10 new DVD's and new books arriving monthly there is always something new to check out.
All events and services the library currently offers are free of charge to customers.
For more information and to see a complete list of available services/programs visit the libraries website
www.groningerlibrary.com or call (757) 878-5017.