In a significant milestone for Marine Corps Community Services and community readiness, the Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) Library was awarded the 2025 Federal Library and Information Network "Small Federal Library of the Year" award at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

The MCBH Library was nationally recognized as a force multiplier for morale, education, and family support in the Pacific theater. The librarians enhanced the quality of life for service members, families, and retirees by drastically increasing teen and youth program attendance and expanding its diversity of programs. They collaborated with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC) to enhance the Camp Smith Reading Room and increased both social media presence and community outreach to align with the Marine Corps’ broader efforts to ensure comprehensive personal and professional readiness.

“The library thrives because of the people who work here,” said Meredith D. Healey, the MCBH library manager. “Each member of my team brings something unique to our services, from our community-focused programs, to our creative, interactive space, to our large social media presence. We are proud to provide a place where Marines and their families can recharge, interact with their community, and gain some readiness and resiliency skills in the process.”

The award was officially presented on July 29, 2026, at the Library of Congress Madison Building. This national accolade is the direct result of exceptional coordination, innovative programming, and the unwavering dedication of the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Library staff. Special recognition goes to MCBH library professionals, whose steadfast support and hard work are instrumental every day: Meri Healey, Lauren Cleveland, Shekinah Marlin, Kawohi Schilling, Autumn Garst, Lynda Hagan, and Craig Lockwood.