Veterans are a unique community who chronically underuse their resources but also are frequently neglected by greater society. While reading through papers at the crossroads of libraries and veteran needs, I discovered the estimate that only 20% of veterans utilize their benefits (Adamich, 2018). I shared this statistic with veteran friends and they expressed that many veterans carry fears of judgement and medical paper trails that restrict their career opportunities. There are many obvious ways that libraries can attempt to be a beacon for this community through providing information, but I began to wonder: how can libraries become environments of connection and interaction for veterans?
A survey across R1 and R2 universities uncovered that only 34% of participating libraries reported conducting outreach programs for veterans which are not related to orientation, instruction, or book clubs (McMonigle, 2024). Ironically, a qualitative study revealed that many veterans are less interested in displays about veteran resources or book collections, and most interested in the library as a communal hub—an opportunity for networking and connection that isn’t centered around ideas of conflict and trauma, but rather human experience (Pionke, 2019). It’s clear through veteran commentary and outreach data that there is a missed opportunity by many libraries to bridge connection between veterans and the greater community.
Designs of Duty: A Hyperlinked Environment to Bridge Veterans and Civilians
While I could not locate viewership data of either exhibit, the fact that “Designs of Duty” was reported by no fewer than 70 news outlets on both a national and international scale is credence to the value of human-centered outreach in fostering hyperlinked environments (Eastern Illinois University; n.d.).
Further Viewing:
References
Adamich, T. (2018). Veterans (librarians) helping veterans. DttP Documents to the People, 46(3), 15–19. https://doi.org/10.5860/dttp.v46i3.6827
Cruse, B. (2018, February 15). “Designs of Duty” exhibit reception [image]. The Keep: The institutional repository of Eastern Illinois University. https://thekeep.eiu.edu/lib_exhibits_designsofduty_photos/61/
Eastern Illinois University. (n.d.). Designs of duty. The Keep: The institutional repository of Eastern Illinois University. https://thekeep.eiu.edu/lib_exhibits_designsofduty/
Heldebrandt, B., Knight-Davis, S., Pionke, J. J., & Cougill, A. (2019). Designs of duty: Using exhibits to build partnerships. College & Undergraduate Libraries, 26(1), 52–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/10691316.2019.1582394
McMonigle, P. J. (2024). Student veterans and academic libraries: A survey of outreach events. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 50(5), Article 102907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102907
Pionke, J. J. (2019). Veteran views of the library: A qualitative study. Reference and User Services Quarterly, 58(4), 227–234. https://doi.org/10.5860/rusq.58.4.7149
Pionke, J. J., & Osborne, N. J. (2018). Symbols of service: Oral histories of veterans tattoos as outreach. College & Undergraduate Libraries, 25(2), 122–130. https://doi.org/10.1080/10691316.2018.1441771
Thank you for shining a light on such an important and compassionate role that libraries play in bridging the gap between veterans and their communities. You make a strong case for why libraries are more than repositories of books: they’re places of healing, connection, and belonging. By focusing on the diverse needs of veteran patrons not just as a monolithic group, but as individuals with unique stories this post deeply respects their service and humanity. It’s heartening to read about how libraries can provide inclusive programming while building community bonds, and your reflections call for continued support and recognition of this essential civic function.