HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – A chess club is the newest addition to the many clubs, programs and activities hosted by the Gerrity Memorial Library.

The Chess Club is an instructor-led meeting that is open to players of all ages and skill levels. No registration is required and anyone with base access can attend meetings occurring every other Thursday.

“It’s nice that we can provide a place for people to hone their skills, learn something new, or just have that contact with another person,” said Marc Garcia, chess club instructor.

Garcia oversaw a chess club at the base youth center before starting up this one and always enjoyed seeing younger kids getting excited about learning chess and developing game strategies.

“It also helps people realize that there are consequences -both positive and negative- for every move you make, in chess and also in life,” said Garcia.

When Garcia instructs, he always teaches players to acknowledge their opponent after a match is finished by shaking hands. He says he learns a little more with each match he plays and he challenges others to do the same.

Other activities hosted by the library include a robotics club, story time readings for children, and monthly science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM events.

With the STEM events, the library asks patrons to register in advance so they can have the proper number of supplies for attendees.

Library patrons can also bring in 3-D printing programs and have their creations printed by library staff.

Sixteen computer work stations with no time limits are also available for use by visitors.

Movies and board games are available for checkout from the library to anyone with base access.

“People don’t realize that there is so much more to libraries, they’re not just books,” said Micky Smith, library supervisor.

For specific times and dates of events at the library, visit 75fss.com or call 801-777-2533