Veterans Connect program expands outreach as library helps compile names for new memorial

Library staff and volunteers updated the Corona Public Library Board of Trustees on the Veterans Connect at the Library program and the library's role in compiling names for a new veterans memorial outside City Hall.

Library Specialist Martin presented the veterans update, describing weekly office hours, volunteer staffing and recent donations. "For those of you who may be unaware ... the Veterans Connect at the library program does is provide service to local veterans and their families," Martin said, summarizing the program's purpose.

Martin said volunteers provide weekly office hours on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon to help veterans with benefits questions, including health care, housing, employment and burial honors. He said the program hosted a resource fair last year and recently received a $1,000 donation from the Corona Elks Foundation.

Volunteers cited by Martin include David (lead volunteer and former VA team member), Sally (book-club lead), Rose (in training) and John (temporarily unavailable). Martin said the library hopes to expand office hours as volunteers complete training.

A major task discussed was compiling records and names for the new veterans memorial outside City Hall. Martin said the Heritage Room holds some historical records and that more modern records will likely require requests to the National Archives, which require mailed written requests. He said staff have reached out to local organizations such as the Corona Vet Center to determine whether names already exist locally.

"We are trying to see if we can get anybody who has maybe already done that work locally, specifically the Corona Vet Center," Martin said. He told trustees the goal is to provide a complete and updated list so that service members from Corona can be properly honored at the new memorial, which city staff expect to have ready for Veterans Day.

Martin also described planned winter projects (clothing and shoe drives, a friendship-bench concept to provide trained volunteer listeners at the memorial) and a veterans book club that meets biweekly in the boardroom. Trustees praised the volunteer-driven work and suggested outreach to local groups such as Gold Star Mothers and the Riverside national (as noted by a trustee during discussion).

Ending

Staff said they will continue records work and coordination with local veteran organizations and city departments; trustees thanked volunteers and encouraged continued outreach and grant pursuit.