It’s that time of year again - the Summer Reading Program at the Milton E. Long Library!

Join DoD MRW Libraries worldwide as we explore ways to “Level Up at Your Library.”  During the summer months of June and July, Army Family & MWR Libraries around the world will host a range of free activities for children, teens, and adults that encourage and support a love of reading.

Registration is simple!

• Step One: Register online at fortbenning.beanstack.org
• Step Two: Log your reading and activities
• Step Three: Earn rewards!

Registration starts June 1 and ends July 25!  After completed registration, pick up your registration bag at the Library.  Log your minutes and earn incentives! The last day to log in your minutes is July 25.  Participants must reach the reading level per week to qualify for weekly prizes/incentives!

After reaching the weekly reading minute goal, prizes can be picked up at the Library starting Monday until Saturday or after each weekly event!  Prizes run on a first come, first served basis.  If you didn’t get to pick up your prize from the week before, you can pick it up at a later time as well.  Make sure to reach your goal early to secure your weekly prize!

But that’s not all!  Join us for fun events which will feature different performers every time we meet, from puppeteers, magicians, story tellers and more!   

Save the date – mark your calendar – but make sure to join us at this years in person events:

1. Kick-Off Block Party

2. Kay Rosenblum presents "Level Up Your Love of Books with Queen Emeralda”!

3. Adam Komesar presents the Inflatable Zoo Magic Show

4. The Piccadilly Puppets Company present: La Balada de las Mariposas (Butterfly Ballad)

5. Independence Celebration on York Field

6. Tommy Johns Magic Reading Show

7. Summer Reading Bowling

8. Drumming of the Stories

9. Foam Party with Tammy Packard

We look forward to seeing how you too can Level Up with Your Library!

Are you looking for more online resources to further your education or want to learn something new for fun? Or how about wanting to research your ancestry? You can check out a list of our free online resources.  Patrons can access these same resources via web by following this link: Online Resources mwrlibrary.armybiznet.com/search~S15. These resources are all free for our patrons to use when they sign up for a library account. So, come in and sign up today!

• To look at our catalog or to log into your account
• Visit MCoE’s Donovan Research Library for all your other research needs:

MCOE HQ Donovan Research Library:  

7533 Holtz St, Bldg. 70, Suite 1025, Fort Benning, GA 31905

Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Closed Fridays: (Remote services, Clearing, and Virtual Reference Only)

Closed on weekends, training, and federal holidays

Circulation Desk: 706-545-5661; DSN: 835-5661

Email: usarmy.moore.mcoe.mbx.donovan-ref-desk@army.mil

Online Catalog: https://auls.insigniails/Library/Home

Website: https://www.moore.army.mil/library

Who is Eligible?

• All active-duty military and their dependents.
• Retired Veteran and their dependents
• Civilian employees or contract employees who possess a Military ID.
• Members of the Armed forces, Foreign Service members, and students who are currently TDY or training at Fort Benning may obtain a library account, if patron is at Fort Benning 3 weeks or more.

How do I obtain my library account and what do I need?

• Come into our library and stop by the circulation desk and our friendly staff can help you set up your account.
• Make sure to have your military ID, unit information, and current mailing address.

What can I use my library account for?

• Patrons may use their library accounts for the following:
  • To checkout, renew, or reserve any of the following materials: books, DVDs, music CDs, audiobooks, and video games.
  • To access all online resources offered by our facility.

• Patrons will have access to over 100,000 materials in books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and video games.

• DVD players may be checked out for use in our common media room.

• A TV located in the Teen Zone on the first floor is available to play video games, using either our Xbox One or PS4 consoles. Ask our library staff at the circulation desk how you can reserve time for use.

• Our library has a fully equipped computer lab, located on the second floor.

• Patrons can reserve one of our four study rooms, our conference room, or our program room.

• Our library offers free Wi-Fi connection to all our patrons.

• An after-hours book drop is available, with two drop boxes located behind our facility and a third located in the front of the facility.

All programming besides the Questionable Romance Book Club is paused until August due to the Summer Reading Program.

Green or Red Flag: Questionable Romance Book Club | every second Friday at 4 p.m.  (except Federal Holidays and February – date in February is February 13)

• Cringe or swoonworthy? Dream guy or one that would send you running far away?  Our new fun and lighthearted book club where we take popular and not-so-popular romance novels apart, diagnose them as cringe or one for the true romantics. This is an adult only book; some of the books we will read are not for kids, participants must be 18+ years of age.

  Books will be provided by the library and can be picked up at the circulation desk; the maximum capacity of our new Questionable Romance Book Club is 15 per session; to ensure we have enough books for everyone, we highly recommend registering in advance.

  It’s free to attend! For more information and to register, please contact the Milton E. Long Library at +1 (706) 545-4911 or stop by. We hope to see you!

Storytime | We will not have Storytime during the summer months.  Storytime will start back up on August 13!

• Join us as we open up a book and adventure to new worlds. Participate every Wednesday in our fun-filled story session featuring two narrated tales by our library staff along with an upbeat welcome song, two additional musical pieces, and a hands-on craft related to the stories.

  We are thrilled to announce that, due to overwhelming demand, our beloved Storytime sessions will now be divided into two engaging groups on Wednesdays!  Join us for a delightful experience tailored for our young readers:

  • Ages 0-5: Storytime will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

  • Ages 5 and up: Join us from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Both age groups will enjoy the same captivating book and participate in fun, interactive activities designed to spark imagination and foster a love for reading.  For more information, call +1 (706) 545-4911.  Please note that the program will not take place November 26 and December 24.

Sensory Storytime | every other week on Fridays from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., (except Federal Holidays)

• Sensory Storytime is a new, small-group Storytime for our friends that may need a different type of Storytime. This Storytime is designed to be accommodating for children with sensory issues (sensitivity to light, loud sounds, big groups, etc.), and will be restricted in number of participants. The Library staff will also utilize props and adaptive pieces (scarves, fidgets, bubbles, etc.) and use dimmer lighting and quiet music to help everyone have fun during Storytime.
• Sensory Storytime will be every other week on Friday, beginning January 17, 2025. No registration required and free! For more information and any questions about Sensory Storytime, please contact the Milton E. Long Library at +1 (706) 545-4911 or just stop by!

Book Buddies: Children’s Book Club | every third Tuesday of the month from 4 – 6 p.m., (except Federal Holidays) 

• Join us for our new book club ‘Book Buddies’ for our youngest readers, ages 6-12!  We will meet monthly on the third Tuesday of the month (beginning January 21, 2025) from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Milton E. Long Library!
• The Milton E. Long Library staff will announce next month’s book the month prior and participants can pick up the book at the circulation desk. We will discuss the book and work on a correlating craft/activity that relates to the book. This is a fun way to get the kids involved with reading and provide a social space to discuss literature.  No registration required; books can be picked up at the circulation desk one month before meeting date.  For more information and any questions about Book Buddies, please contact the Milton E. Long Library at +1 (706) 545-4911 or just stop by!

Tummy Time | every other week on Mondays from 10 – 11 a.m. (except Federal Holidays)

• Tummy Time is a new Library program for new parents/caregivers and pre-walking babies.  Join us every other Monday from 10 – 11 a.m. at the Milton E. Long Library.  Tummy Time will give new parents/caregivers a space to socialize and ask questions to other parents about the joys and difficulties being a new parent. Tummy time will give babies time and space to develop their muscle strength and coordination, as well as increased socialization.
• Babies and parents will be led in fun and interactive songs that will incorporate bouncing, dancing, and movement. All toys, mats, and materials will be provided, but parents are welcome to bring blankets or toys from home if desired. No registration required, no fees. Tummy Time is for babies under a year.  For more information and any questions about Tummy Time, please contact the Milton E. Long Library at +1 (706) 545-4911 or just stop by!

Crafternoon | monthly event from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

• Join us every month from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Milton E. Long Library for an afternoon of crafts for adults (the kids have to stay at home for this one). Discover the joy of creativity just for adults.  From DIY home décor to handmade gifts, our session features a new and exciting craft project.  We supply the materials, so all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and creativity.  Also, a perfect opportunity to meet and make new friends, share tips, and engage in fun conversations with fellow crafters. Registration is required, ages 18+ are welcome! For more information and to register, please contact the Milton E. Long Library at +1 (706) 545-4911 or just stop by. We hope to see you!

Other programs:

1. Summer Reading Program (annual program)
2. STRONG B.A.N.D.S (annual program)

Please contact the library for further information.

Computers

• Our computer lab is fully equipped with 77 desktop computers. They are available on a first come first-served basis and are open to Active-Duty Service members and their families, Retired Military, and to DoD civilians and contractors.
• All our computers come fully equipped with CAC reads, have access to Microsoft Office programs, and Adobe Acrobat Reader. Computer access may be utilized for one hour and patrons may extend sessions upon request.

Printing Machines

• All printing machines are in the computer lab located on the second floor. Printing is only available using our facility computers. No outside devices may print to our printers.  ** Machines only take nickels, quarters, dimes, and single dollar bills.
  • Printing Fees
    • B&W: $0.10/ sheet
    • Color: $0.25/sheet

Copy Machines

• Our library has two copy machines available for use, one located on the first floor and the other located on the second floor. Faxing is not available on these machines.  ** Machines only take nickels, quarters, dimes, and single dollar bills. 
  • Copy Fees
    • B&W: $0.10/ sheet
    • Color: $0.25/sheet

Scanning

• Our computer lab is equipped with five scanners which are available for use upon request. All scans are free.