The Commandant has stated that, to win tomorrow's battles, individual Marines will have to operate with sophisticated technology and will need to make the tactical and moral decisions once required only of more senior officers. To help our Marines meet tomorrow's challenges, we are committed to furthering their education and broadening their knowledge and skills today. The Marine Corps is not closing any libraries. On the contrary, libraries are one of our core programs, and we are investing to ensure they totally meet the needs of Marines well into the next century. Marine Corps Community Services combines libraries with voluntary education to maximize our effectiveness.
Libraries are crucial to life long learning and the productive use of information and knowledge.
Our automated Integrated Library System links our libraries and provides Marines and their families a gateway to major information and data sources as well as enhanced library services. Because of these enhancements, our libraries are redefined in the new life long learning context that will give our Marines an invaluable resource for career and self improvement as well as life satisfaction. Marines who are parents need the security of clean, well-staffed, and supportive children and youth services that help their youngsters grow and thrive. MCCS creates one organization charged with the seamless delivery of a wide range of services for our youngsters from infancy until they are eligible to enlist. Our youth programs will gain energy and effectiveness by focusing on the needs across the range of ages.