Books to Borrow program lends Barksdale Amn helping hand

College textbooks wait to be checked out by Airmen at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 17. These books are part of the books to borrow program created by Master Sgt. Scott Schreck, 2nd Maintenance Squadron Fabrication Flight assistant flight chief, to assist Airmen taking classes by eliminating the need to purchase a new or used book. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

Books to Borrow program lends Barksdale Amn helping hand

Master Sgt. Scott Schreck, 2nd Maintenance Squadron Fabrication Flight assistant flight chief, checks to see if a college book is up to date with current classes at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 19. All of the books in the books to borrow program have to be checked prior to each semester to make sure they are still current for upcoming classes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

Books to Borrow program lends Barksdale Amn helping hand

Published Sept. 13, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- To combat the high cost of many college books, a master sergeant from the 2nd Maintenance Squadron created a books to borrow program.

Master Sgt. Scott Schreck, 2 MXS Fabrication Flight assistant flight chief, decided to start a program to help military college students with the cost of books for school.

"I decided to start the books to borrow program after a friend loaned me his book for a class I was about to take," said Schreck. "College books are expensive and used mostly for that one class."

The military helps to pay for classes with the Tuition Assistance Program, but the program doesn't cover the materials needed, said Schreck.

Books for college classes can vary from just a few dollars for a used book and more than $100 dollars for a brand new one.

"Master Sgt. Schreck's books to borrow program helped save me more than $150 for one book," said Staff Sgt. David Cordes, 2 MXS Aircraft Metals Technology craftsman. "His program makes taking college classes easier for us that are on a budget and have trouble with the cost of books."

Cordes recommends checking with Schreck if you are taking a class and need a book, and if you are finished with a class to donate the book to the program.

"By others donating books to the program, Airmen are helping Airmen," said Cordes.

The books to borrow program library is populated by donations from Airmen that have gone through classes before.

"To date, I only have about 13 books that have been donated or that I had from previous classes," said Schreck. "I am hoping to eventually get multiples of the same books so I can help more than one Airman at time for the same class."

One difficulty that comes with the books to borrow program is making sure that the programs library is still current for classes that Airmen are taking. Donated books constantly have to be checked with the course requirements to make sure the materials are relevant to the course, Schreck said.

The books to borrow program is currently only at 2 MXS but Schreck hopes to eventually take it to the 2nd Maintenance Group and possibly even to the 2nd Bomb Wing. However, for Schreck's program to advance to the next level the program needs to get more donations of books and possibly an assistant to help with the amount of books that will need to be checked for currency and track the checked out books.

"The books to borrow program is an innovative way to help the younger Airmen get a college education. Combined with TAP, there should be no excuses to stop our future leaders from taking a course," said Maj. Grant Meadows, 2 MXS commander. "I hope that with more donations this program could move up to the wing level and possibly be a stepping stone for other bases to follow."

For more information about the books to borrow program or to donate to the program contact Master Sgt. Schreck at 318- 456-4209 or email scott.schreck@us.af.mil.