Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks commemorated Military Libraries Week with an inspiring address highlighting the critical role these libraries play in supporting service members and their families.
Hicks’ message recognized military libraries as pillars of knowledge, professional growth, and morale within the Defense Department. Her remarks spotlighted the enduring impact of these institutions on the defense community, from enriching military careers to enhancing family life.
Honoring Military Libraries
Military Libraries Week celebrates the deep-rooted tradition of military libraries as invaluable resources. Since the 1700s, these libraries have provided essential information and learning materials for service members, fostering education and resilience even amid challenges.
Deputy Defense Secretary Hicks’ Oct. 25 address underscored this commitment, with a theme that resonates: “Leaders Are Readers.”
The theme points to the lifelong learning opportunities military libraries offer—a tradition that has grown with each generation.
Today, the Defense Department oversees over 300 libraries globally. These institutions hold materials ranging from military doctrine to morale-boosting recreational media, supporting both professional and personal enrichment.
Military libraries embody a commitment to continuous learning, offering resources that strengthen the skills and knowledge base essential for military readiness.
Milestones in Military Library History
To understand the significance of military libraries today, consider a few pivotal milestones:
- 1780: The first garrison library established at West Point, supporting military education.
- 1927: Fort Leavenworth’s library, now the Combined Arms Research Library (CARL), grows to hold 55,000 items, setting the stage for a robust military research facility.
- 1994: CARL relocates to a larger, modern facility to meet expanding research demands and adapt to digital advancements.
These milestones showcase the Defense Department’s evolving commitment to knowledge, a commitment Deputy Secretary Hicks celebrates in her acknowledgment of Military Libraries Week.
Libraries and Supporting Professional Development
Military libraries serve not only as knowledge centers but as pivotal resources in supporting professional development. Hicks shared her vision of libraries as spaces that inspire learning and advancement.
For service members, military libraries offer access to specialized texts and training materials that may be difficult to find elsewhere. These libraries empower personnel to enhance their skills, encouraging career growth and preparedness.
Many military libraries, including the esteemed Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library (CARL) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, play an especially unique role.
CARL, supporting the Command and General Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies, provides resources tailored to military-specific academic research, giving students access to historical and strategic insights vital for leadership roles.
This level of support is instrumental for those in demanding military programs that require rigorous study and extensive resources.
How CARL’s Resources Enhance Military Education
The Combined Arms Research Library (CARL) at Fort Leavenworth stands out as a premier example of military library excellence:
- Specialized Collections: CARL’s holdings include unique military documents and strategic resources essential for military research.
- Digital Access: A large portion of the collection is digitized, allowing service members and military scholars worldwide to access critical information.
Director Tiffany Zink, who leads CARL, emphasizes that these resources are crafted to support both current military studies and future research. In Zink’s words,
“We provide resources that students need not just today but may find invaluable decades from now.”
This dual focus on present needs and enduring knowledge underscores the distinct mission of military libraries like CARL.
Fostering Morale and Community Resilience
Beyond their role as educational assets, military libraries contribute to community morale and resilience. Hicks’ address highlighted how these institutions go beyond bookshelves—they’re community hubs offering a sense of continuity and belonging, especially for families stationed abroad.
Programs such as family reading sessions, story times, and holiday-themed activities help create a welcoming environment for service members and their families, fostering a sense of home away from home.
Military libraries are unique in that they balance academic rigor with community support. Fort Leavenworth’s CARL, for instance, is structured as a consolidated library that serves both the military’s educational needs and the leisure and informational needs of families stationed on base.
This combined model makes libraries like CARL a cornerstone of community support, offering everything from research materials to children’s storybooks in one place.
Military Libraries Week
Deputy Secretary Hicks’ commemoration of Military Libraries Week is more than symbolic; it reinforces the Defense Department’s commitment to supporting military families through educational resources.
She expressed appreciation for the dedicated library staff who make this possible, encouraging service members to thank their local librarians for their hard work.
Military libraries’ contributions align closely with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s broader quality-of-life initiatives, which include providing world-class educational resources for service members.
Libraries support the Defense Department’s promise of comprehensive support, fostering service members’ personal and professional growth and development.
Snapshot of Military Library Contributions
Library |
Main Features |
Contribution to Military Community |
|---|---|---|
| CARL | Extensive military document archive | Supports academic study for CGSC and SAMS students |
| Overseas Base Libraries | Family programs and recreational materials | Provides continuity and morale support for stationed families |
| Digital Military Libraries | Online access to historical and research documents | Extends learning opportunities worldwide for service members |
The Lasting Impact of Military Libraries
Military Libraries Week serves as a reminder of these institutions’ critical contributions to both individual growth and the collective strength of the armed forces.
As Deputy Secretary Hicks noted,
“Libraries, and the books they hold, provide limitless opportunities to learn.”
This week celebrates not only the libraries but the lasting relationships and learning these spaces foster among service members and their families.
Military libraries have been, and will continue to be, more than just repositories of information. The libraries enhance intellectual readiness for service members and boost resilience for their families.
Military libraries also support the Defense Department’s mission by fostering knowledge, community and professional growth for personnel and their families.
Sources: THX News & US Department of Defense.
