BiblioTech, Bexar County’s all-digital public library, is opening it’s second satellite location today, this time at Fort Sam Houston. The first satellite is at the Bexar County Courthouse.
Military personell recovering at the Warrior and Family Support Center at Joint Base San Antonio now have access to all of BiblioTech.
“With San Antonio being Military City, U.S.A., it’s so appropriate that we would come here and offer these services,” said Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff.
BiblioTech usage was initially reserved to residents of Bexar County, including those traveling abroad like service men and women. With the addition Fort Sam, anyone stationed or recovering there, including families visiting wounded warriors, can signup for an account. Judith Merkelz, director for the center, said the addition will provide more options to military members.
“It does a lot for our warriors but it does even more for our families here who are from all over the United States," Merkelz said. "Those who don’t have accesses to library cards here, who don’t have accesses many things here, and this is one more avenue to interlock them with the community and the whole wonderful world of books.”
Sgt. First Class Yancy Caldwell said he’s glad to have the ability to find new and materials to read.
“It gives us the opportunity to have books, audio things, that we wouldn’t be able to get to because of appointments and stuff like that that we have going on throughout the day,” Caldwell said.
The next planned expansions for BiblioTech includes distributing 1,000 e-readers to Bexar County public schools this fall and the creation of a new branch on the East Side near the Promise Neighborhood.