Grand Opening at Downtown Santa Cruz Library
The Santa Cruz Public Library System (SCPL) invited the entire community to the Grand Opening Celebration of the new Veterans Information Center housed in the Downtown Santa Cruz library. The Grand Opening Celebration was held Thursday February 16 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon. The event featured local dignitaries, a brief presentation about the new center, and refreshments.
The Veterans Information Center at the library provides trained Volunteer Benefit Coaches to connect veterans and their families with local, state and federal resources on education, employment, housing, health, disability and other benefits that may be available. In addition, there is a collection of books and other resources, and access to computer equipment for extended periods in order to complete online applications and do research.
The Veterans Information Center hours are:
Sundays & Mondays
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Tuesdays thru Thursdays
10:00am – 12:00pm
Librarians are also available for individual appointments.
California public libraries, in partnership with California Department of Veterans Affairs, are working to connect veterans and their families to benefits and services for which they are eligible. SCPL has joined this partnership and is working in collaboration with our local community veteran service organizations to positively impact the quality of life for veterans.
According to Susan Nemitz, Director of Libraries, “So many veterans have no idea that they are eligible to receive benefits. This new center will help us connect these veterans to the tools and information that can transform their lives.”
After a soft launch in December 2016, the Veterans Information Center has already seen some success. According to Program Coordinator David Addison, “Collaboration with veteran service organizations in our community has helped shape the program for collective impact. Many veterans, including homeless veterans, visit the library frequently. Most think they aren’t eligible for benefits, but many are. We have already directly served some veterans and had some positive outcomes.”
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SCPL also has a web page dedicated to veterans resources, located at www.santacruzpl.org/veterans. For more information about the Veterans Information Center, or to volunteer as a benefits coach, contact David Addison at (831) 427-7700 ext. 7671 or email [email protected].