Military Libraries are as diverse as the classification of Special Libraries. All branches of the military have research libraries whose missions are to provide the technical and scientific resources to support the interest of the division they are associated with.
OBJECTIVES OF SERVICES
The Military Librarians Division of the Special Libraries Association, established in 1953, "brings together those interested in the betterment of military library services. It is a forum for the exchange of ideas and information on military librarianship: it conceives and carries out projects that assist members in improving services to their constituencies; it works to promote the professional advancement of its members and to enhance understanding of the importance of libraries to a successful national defense" (SLA, Military).
"The Air Force Research Laboratory Research Library located at Hanscom AFB MA, supports the scientists, engineers, military personnel and civilian employees located at the Hanscom Research Site. The Library provides a wide range of scientific and technical information services, research and reference support, and a strong collection with special strengths in geophysics, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, chemistry, chemical physics, applied mathematics and computer applications" (Poirier).
The Army, Navy, and Air Force have Academic libraries providing for the educational needs of the students. The military bases have libraries to serve all service men and women stationed at the base. Other military libraries include Military History Institute, Naval Operational Medicine Institute Library, Navy Department Library, United States Naval Observatory Library, Naval Oceanographic Office, Matthew Fontaine Maury Oceanographic Library. The Pentagon Library, and the Signal Corps’ Woodworth Library (SLA, Military: List).
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
The research collections focus on topics such as atmospheric science, biotechnology, chemistry, engineering, electronic warfare, information technology, materials science, mathematics, physics, radar, radiation science, sensing, space science, geophysics, and environmental science. Each library develops the collection that supports the mission of the branch of military it is associated with.
The size and format of materials in the collection are as varied as the libraries. Most have books, serials, and online databases to support the needs of the patrons.
STAFFING MODEL
Staffing models vary with each institution depending on the size, branch of service and location, and these libraries are staffed with professional, paraprofessional and technical personnel. The US Core of Engineers’ Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory Library staff and the Air force Research Laboratory Library, Hanscom AFB both have the same small size staff. However, recently, ARRL, Hanscom has outsourced services to the Dynamics Research Corporation due to major cutbacks.
ORGANIZATIONAL HIERARCHY
Both the Air Force Research Laboratory Library and CRREL Library appear to have the same structure: Chief of the Technical Informational Branch, Librarians, a Technician, and an Assistant. Position names vary but the responsibilities for each of the positions appear to be relatively the same. The Chief or Team Leader is responsible for management and collection development. The librarians are responsible for web development, reference services, cataloging, and serials. The technician is responsible for acquisitions and interlibrary loan. The assistant is support staff responsible for miscellaneous duties.
FUNDING SOURCES
United States Government is the primary funding source of military libraries. According to Poirier, even though the Air Force Research Laboratory, Hanscom, AFB outsourced staffing needs, the operational costs, overhead, materials budget, and salaries are all funded through the Air Force. As with most federal government funding, the allocations depend on the current political philosophy and practice.
CLIENTELE SERVED
Clientele served varies according to type of military library. Technology and research libraries tend to support the engineers and scientist working in the laboratories and contracted associates. Military academic libraries support the students, instructors, and institutions they are associated with; military medical libraries support medical personnel and associates. The Military Base Libraries serve the families of personnel stationed on the base.
WEB PAGE EVALUATION
HQ AFRL Library
http://www.afrl.af.mil/library/index.htmThis home page provides links to several helpful resources. Links provide access to a Dictionary of Acronym, Fact and Information Sheets, Image Archive, External Links, Glossary, Policies and Guidelines, Success Stories, and the Technical Libraries. It is compliant with section 508 standards. The External Links Page provides a listing of Air Force Research Laboratory Sites, Air Force Links and Research Centers, Laboratories, Department of Defense Servers and Government servers, and Miscellaneous Services.
THE CRREL VIRTUAL LIRARY
http://www.crrel.usace.army.mil/library/crrel library 1.html
This web site is well organized, easy to navigate, and quick to download. There is a Library Fact Sheet with a mission statement, library contents, services offered, publications, and point of contact. The CRREL Library Staff page lists all staff, their position, and their job responsibilities. Each person has a short biography explaining their responsibilities in more detail, including their educational background, and length of service. All pages conclude with a link to the Security and Privacy Notice. Each page lists organization name, division, address, contact office with phone number, page master, and date last updated.
TRENDS AND ISSUES
One major issue is the increasing amount of research material and information in electric and print format. The libraries must keep current and the cost of maintaining collections of materials and accessing databases increases yearly with budgets decreasing yearly.
A second issue that the Military Librarians Division of the Special Libraries Association addresses deals with staff members having the core competencies necessary for information management.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Military Librarians Division of the Special Libraries Association." Special Libraries Association.22 Sept. 2003. <http://www.sla.org/division/dmil/index.html>.
"Military Librarians Division of the Special Libraries Association: Information about the Military Libraries Division." Special Libraries Association.22 Sept. 2003. <http://www.sla.org/division/dmil/AboutMLD.htm>.
"Military Librarians Division of the Special Libraries Association: List of Military Libraries." Special Libraries Association.22 Sept. 2003. <http://www.sla.org/division/dmil/millib.html>.
Poirier, Elaine. Personal Interview. 15 Sept. 2003.
ADDITIONAL WEB SITES OF INTEREST
Air Force Institute Of Technology Academic Library
http://library.afit.edu/ld-guide.html
Army Command And General Staff College - Combined Arms Research Library
http://www-cgsc.army.mil/CARL/index.asp
Cold Regions Research And Engineering Laboratory Library - Army
http://www.crrel.usace.army.mil/library/
Military Education And Research Library Network (Merln)
http://merln.ndu.edu/
Military Education Research Library Network (Merln)
Wysiwyg://290/http://merln.ndu.edu/
Military Librarians Division Of The Special Libraries Association
http://www.sla.org/division/dmil/index.html
Military Libraries On The Web-Non Us Royal Military Academy Of Belgium
http://www.rma.ac.be/setup.asp
Military Library Organizations Consortium Of Navy Libraries (Cnl)
http://www.dtic.mil/stinet/consortium/index.html (access forbidden)
The Pentagon Library
http://www.hqda.army.mil/library/
U.S. Army Training And Doctrine Command Library And Information Network Center
http://www.dcst.army.mil/tralinet/tralinet.htm