The Huntington Beach Central Library is proud to offer a variety of in-house and online services especially for our honored Veterans of the Armed Forces.
Veterans are invited to visit the Huntington Beach Public Library (HBPL) Veterans Resource Center at the Central Library. Run entirely by volunteer veterans, the Center is open Monday through Thursday, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (closed on Saturdays and Sundays). Skilled volunteers help veterans with finding a job, getting health benefits, buying a house, and many other needs.
Beyond the dedicated group of volunteers, the Center has a wealth of valuable online and print resources to help answer questions. A complete list of online resources can be found at the Veterans Resource Center webpage. The online guide will lead veterans to websites of helpful organizations, with information on the services they provide. Topics and organizations include the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors, getting a California Veteran Driver License or ID, and Social Security Benefits. A print brochure, Veterans Resources, Information & Hotlines, can be picked up at the Center. The Veterans Center can be reached by phone at (714) 375-5111 or by email.
In addition, the Central Library hosts Veterans Resource Center Night series, which meets on the second or third Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Past topics have included the different ways organizations like CalVet and the Council on Aging can help veterans and their families, or which resources are available for veterans to help aging loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. While these events are intended for veterans and their loved ones, anyone interested in learning more about the featured organizations is welcome to attend. The next scheduled Veterans Resource Center Night is coming up on Tuesday, November 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the Talbert Room at the Central Library. There is no fee to attend, but registration is required, so register to save a spot. Be sure to check the Library’s events calendar to find out about any future Veterans Resource Center Nights planned.
Finally, check out the latest version of Brainfuse’s VetNow in the Library’s Digital Resources Library. This resource is supported by funding from the California State Library. VetNow is an all-in-one suite of services designed to address a wide range of career or veteran needs, including navigating the VA system or adjusting to a civilian career.
Services include coaching and self-study tools, and access to live, on-demand assistance from expert Veteran Navigators. Veterans can submit career documents to the writing lab via secure file sharing, 24/7 for review by a Job Coach.
