The primary duty of many military libraries is to assist with professional development, personal education, and leisure.
It has been noted that in 1780, West Point had utilized officers pay, one day's salary every month, to fund and purchase books to establish a library on base.
This library was created by Commandant Archibald Henderson and was authorized by the Secretary of Navy, David Henshaw.
[3] In 1919, The War Department had created Library Service Branch for not only the Navy but also the Marine Corps, which provided a professionally directed program.
However, in 1857, Secretary of War Jefferson Davis had halted the use of sutlers funds for the support of these post libraries.
This was short lived as a revision of the regulations allowed for the sutler funds to support the on-site libraries.
Things like book borrowing, providing meeting spaces, computer access, and digital resources are all common services.
The 2024 honor was awarded to Paula Laurita, U.S. Army Materiel Command Headquarters, Redstone Arsenal, AL[18]