CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — The library system for Marine Corps bases in Japan has been named the Federal Library and Information Center of the Year for 2006, the center announced in a news release.
The Camp S.D. Butler Library System won in the large library category, for staff of 11 or more people. The Marine system in Japan has six libraries on Okinawa at camps Foster, Kinser, Courtney, Hansen, Schwab and MCAS Futenma, plus another at Camp Fuji in mainland Japan.
The center’s committee said in the announcement that Camp S.D. Butler Marine library system “is recognized for superior effort in enhancing the quality of life for more than 50,000 Americans stationed in Okinawa and mainland Japan.”
“In fiscal 2006, the library system supported 550,000 patron visits, increasing customer use by 14 percent and receiving a customer satisfaction rating above 98 percent,” the announcement stated.
“This is really a coup for us,” said Library Program Manager Cynthia Shipley. “This is the first time a Marine Corps library has won the award and only the second time an MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation) library has won. Usually the big award goes to a larger library, like NASA. So, we feel very honored.”
The Camp S.D. Butler Library System is operated by Marine Corps Community Services.
