Serving Those Who Served

Nearly half of U.S. military families feel their communities don't offer them enough support. Your library can help change that through this one-stop guide to the resources necessary to serve veterans and their families. The book starts with a discussion of why libraries should consider military personnel, families, and veterans in the first place, then lays a foundation for providing services by describing contemporary military family culture and the various generations of veterans you may encounter. You'll learn how to find resources for veterans' needs (health care, social services, and caregiver support) and to offer services for segments of the military community ranging from aging veterans to those in active service, as well as their families and children. You'll also discover how to take these groups into account as you plan reference services, collection development, readers' advisory, and children's services. The book includes sound advice on grant writing and program development, ideas for establishing collaborative relationships with organizations that support veterans and military families, suggestions for outreach programs and strategies, and answers to frequently asked questions. Case studies showcase libraries that have had success in creating new programs and assisting both military and veteran communities.