The Long Beach Public Library will launch the Veterans Resource Center on Saturday, June 9, at 10:30am, at the main library, 101 Pacific Ave. Open to the public, the center is a space equipped with a dedicated computer for veteran resources, private study rooms and a collection of materials to assist veterans and their families, which include the California Veterans Resource Book from CalVet, reference materials regarding veterans’ benefits and other fiction and nonfiction books and DVDs. The community can check out materials with a Long Beach Public Library card, although a library card is not required to use the space or to utilize materials in the library.
“Long Beach has a significant local veteran history and presence,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “I commend the Long Beach Public Library for serving the needs of this essential population in an active way with the Veterans Resource Center. The goal is for the library to be a friendly entry point for veterans.”
The Veterans Resource Center launch will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by several workshops open to the public, including:
•a discussion of the 2017 National Book Award finalist, “Dark At The Crossing,” by Elliot Ackerman
• an art workshop hosted by Richard Harvey, an award–winning English musician and composer
• a songwriting workshop hosted by HomeFront Rising
• the “Every Soldier Has a Story” dance piece hosted by the Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre
Detailed information for the day can be found at lbpl.org.
“The library has always been a place where veterans can come for information,” said Glenda Williams, director of Library Services. “The Veterans Resource Center takes that idea one step further by actively disseminating the benefits available to veterans and their families, and connecting them to local organizations that can assist in getting those benefits.”
The center has been made possible through the Veterans Connect @ The Library program and is the culminating event for Book-To-Action, sponsored by the California Center for the Book. Veterans Connect @ The Library works with California public libraries and the California Department of Veterans Affairs to help educate veterans and their families about the benefits and services available to them.
These programs are supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
Source: City of LB
