Description

Libraries are the perfect place to connect military families with the community. This is a multifaceted program that offers a range of activities, resources, and support to military families. Programming includes:

• Family events - End of deployment, family-oriented events that allow family members to spend unstructured time together. 
• Career and educational information for transitioning service members - Libraries create a focused promotion that they provide information for service members because many might assume that the library’s resources do not address the special circumstances of those in the military.
• Meeting space - The library’s physical space had other advantages over on-post meeting spaces. The library is known to serve all community members, regardless of their social rank. This characteristic of “neutral space” was appealing to organizations that host groups convening service members of different military ranks and their families.
• Information outpost - In addition to library information resources, libraries can provide information kiosks or links to military base information. 
• Shared experience programs - Book author visits, displays, and social events with military themes would allow the broader community to celebrate its military community.
• Sesame Street's Talk, Listen, Connect Program - Sesame Street’s popular “Talk. Listen. Connect.” outreach initiative to help children cope with deployment, combat-related injuries, and the death of a loved one. Through this initiative, Sesame Street offers videos, storybooks, and workbooks for military families going through difficult transitions. 
• Special programming - The library hosts special events such as celebrating the Marine Corps Birthday, a wonderful opportunity to honor a tradition, and the opportunity to bring the community to learn about the Marine Corps or any other service branch. Also, programs and events to recognize Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and other significant military historical dates.

Audience

Military families (all ages); libraries (library staff); military bases/organizations; community-based organizations; school libraries; academic libraries (students)

Cost

Free - $5000 depending on the type of programming and services offered

Timing 

Year-round for general use and prior to the beginning of the school year for k-2 and college.

Suggested Duration

One-hour programs; on-demand resources; half-day family events.

Resources needed 

Marketing materials specific to the needs of military families; program materials; library space to establish a military kiosk or information center.

Tips for Success

Create a unique web page for military families, that links resources from the military and co-mingles those resources with related library and community resources. This is about inclusion in a very unique way, understanding the military and military family culture is critical to success. 

See "Cultural Competencies: Best Practice for Librarians Serving Veterans, Active Military and Military Families," for Library personnel training. (Refer to the Radical Empathy and Cultural Humility Checklist file provided below)

Assessment Ideas

Using outcome-based data results:

• I felt welcome at the library
• I enjoyed taking part in activities and programs at the library
• I learned about  resources at the library that will help me in my life
• I plan on taking part in activities at the library again
• I look forward to visiting the library again

Engaging military families in library services can be anecdotally measured by the number of library cards obtained; participation in programming and services.

Partners and Stakeholders

Community organizations; faith-based organizations; schools; businesses; universities; state and local agencies (Dept. of Social Services, Dept.of Labor, Dept. of Public Health, Dept. of Education).

Additional Resources/Bibliography

• Connecticut Saves Week | America Saves - building wealth, goals, tools for success.
• Blue Star Families - Find Your People, Build Your Community
• Sesame Street for Military Families
• Community Blueprint Network | Hampton Roads Cares
• National Military Family Association
• Military One Source | Department of Defense
• My Army Benefits: Family Advocacy Programs (FAP)
• Virginia Library Association - Best Practice - Serving Military Families in the Public Library
• Take Action for Libraries - Military Families Need Their Public Libraries

Submitted by 

Dawn La Valle, Connecticut State Library

Creative Commons License