Public libraries could do more to serve veterans at their branches

1. Veterans are Invisible
Library Patrons
Danielle Masursky

2. Veterans in the US
Data from US Census Bureau *
*Detailed data not available at the county level
Onondaga Co NY State US
Total Veterans 30,551 892,221 21,263,779
Female 7% 2%
Black 12% 12%
Hispanic 8% 7%
Over 65 51% 45%
Median income $35K
HS diploma 92%
College degree 26%

3. Vet Demographics are Skewed
Data from US Census Bureau
Percentage
Female
Percentage
Over age 65
0
50
100
Vets
Non-vets
0
20
40
60
Vets
Non-vets

4. Veterans – NY State
Data from US Census Bureau
Gender
Male
Female
Race
White
Black
Hispanic
Other
Education level
College grad
Non-college
grad

5. Some Vets Have Serious Problems
Data from Department of Veteran Affairs
Vets
Non-vets
Percentage of
homeless population (20%)
Vets
Percentage of
suicides (20%)
Vets
Non-
vets
Percentage of
total population (7%)

6. Vets Need Help

7. Vets Need Help

8. Vets Need Help

9. Vets Need Help

10. Vets are Isolated

11. Vets are Isolated

12. Assessment is
KeyReview current
materials & resources
– Books on relevant topics
– Alternate format
materials, such as large
print and audio
– Computer resources such
as ZoomText
– Online resources, such as
lists of relevant websites

13. Acceptance is Key
Create a
welcoming
atmosphere
in the library

14. Acceptance is Key
Have events
& displays for
Veterans Day
to connect with
vets & educate
patrons

15. Acceptance is Key
Reach out to
military families
– Include them in
existing library
programs, such as
summer reading
– Create programs for
them, such as story
times with special
themes

16. Access is Key
Highlight
resources
for vets and
military
members
Develop resource guides
of relevant materials
Regularly include military
topics in endcaps & displays
Create a separate section in
the library for military-related
materials

17. Access is Key
Highlight
resources
for vets and
military
members
Electronic resources
available inside
the library, such
as job search and
housing websites
Distance resources that can
be used outside the library

18. Outreach is Key

19. Outreach is Key
Contact the local
Veteran Affairs
Office
– Find out more about
the vets in the area
– Find out what local
vets want from the
library
– Find out the gaps in
existing services

20. Partnerships are Key
Work with local
organizations that
serve vets
– Arrange to visit their
location(s)
– Invite them to take a
“field trip” to the library
– Co-sponsor programs
in the community

21. Partnerships are Key
Find the special
programs for vets
in the local area
– Invite them to meet
at the library
– Co-sponsor
programs with them
out in the community

22. Partnerships are Key
Contact local organizations that serve
military families, such as the USO
– Find out who and where the families are
– Find out what services they want and need
– Co-sponsor programs in the community

23. REFERENCES
Chepesiuk, R. (2006). Mission: Access. American Libraries: 37(2), 24-29.
Clear Path for Veterans. Our Principals. Accessed: http://clearpath4vets.com/principles-and-values/
Drug Facts: Substance Abuse in the Military (2013). National Institute on Drug Abuse. Accessed:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/substance-abuse-in-military
FAQ About Homeless Veterans. National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Accessed:
http://nchv.org/index.php/news/media/background_and_statistics/
How Do We Know? A Snapshot of Our Nation’s Veterans (2012). United States Census Bureau. Accessed:
http://www.census.gov/library/infographics/veterans.html
Lee, J (2012). ‘Little C.H.A.M.P.S' Bridges Understanding Between Military Families, Civilian Neighbors.
Retrieved from: http://www.uso.org/little-champs-book-helps-military-families/#sthash.pRYzpiBK.dpuf
Moran, R. (2011). The difficult transition from military to civilian life. Pew Research Center Social &
Demographic Trends. Accessed: http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2011/12/08/the-difficult-transition-from-
military-to-civilian-life/
Profile of Veterans (2013). National Center for Veteran Analysis and Statistics. United States Department of
Veterans Affairs. Accessed: http://www.va.gov/vetdata/Report.asp
Taft, J. & Olney, C. (2014). Library Services for the "New Normal" of Military Families. Public Libraries: 53(6), 28-
33.
Trotter, J.K. (2013). 18% More U.S. Troops Committed Suicide Than Died in Combat Last Year. The Wire (Atlantic
Magazine). Accessed: http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/01/us-military-suicides-2012/60985/
Veteran Homelessness in America from 2012-2013. Accessed:
http://www.endhomelessness.org/library/entry/veteran-homelessness-in-america-from-2013-to-2014