Base library showcases local art, introduces self-checkout system Published Nov. 3, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Edwards Base Library has recently begun a new program in which they will now be showcasing artwork created by artists from Edwards and throughout the Antelope Valley. In addition, they have also added a new self-checkout system to help customers check out their own library books if staff members are unavailable to provide immediate assistance. The Local Artists Showcase began in October, and allows artists from local areas to bring their own artwork in to be displayed at the Edwards Base Library on a monthly basis. "Last month we had an artist from Rosamond, Edwin Vásquez, and this month is an artist from Lancaster, Ricky Perkins," said Alison Vásquez, Edwards Base Library supervisory librarian. "Both artists belong to different associations of artists in the Antelope Valley and have artwork shown in different exhibits in Lancaster, Palmdale and Lake Hughes. They have also been featured in the Antelope Valley Magazine. Like them, we have many more artists in the area and we want to bring that art on base so the community can view them in our library." The librarians are looking to work very closely with artists who wish to participate in this program and help them select appropriate pieces of work to display in the library. They are encouraging artists to contact them and bring in their work so that they may be scheduled for the month in which they will be displayed. "Once they present the pieces they would like to bring, we will collect the ones we'll be able to accommodate in the spaces we have available," Mrs. Vásquez said. "If we are hanging paintings, then we'll select sizes for the spaces we have available for display. The display case is reserved for sculptures or three-dimensional artwork. We cannot accept pieces of artwork that may be too large for our available spaces." Artwork will be well protected. The display case will remain locked, and artwork hung on the walls will not be easily accessible. Artists can retrieve their work after their full month of display. Also, with the artists' permission, the librarians may provide contact information to customers who may consider purchasing a specific work of art. Students from the Youth Program and Skills Center are also encouraged to participate in this program. The second addition, which was also started in October, is the new self-checkout system. "It's very helpful when we have people waiting in line to be assisted," Mrs. Vásquez said. "If they have a book and their library card, they can go directly to the system and check out the books themselves. It helps when all the staff members are helping other customers and prevents them from waiting in long lines." Customers would only need their library card to scan the barcode. The system would bring up their account, and at that time, they may check out their new books or conduct renewals of previously borrowed books. Compact disks, movies and audiobooks, however, will need to be checked out at the desk, as those will be handed directly from the librarians to the customers. For more information on the Base Library's services or programs, call 661-275-BOOK, or 661-275-2665.