At Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL), we understand the importance of family, community and the sacrifices made by our military service members and their loved ones. This November we are proud to join the nation in celebrating National Veteran and Military Families Month. It's a chance for us to honor and recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by military families, as well as our veterans. We believe that supporting these incredible individuals and their families is not only our duty but also our privilege.
Throughout National Veteran and Military Families Month, we invite you to explore the resources available at our libraries. Discover inspiring stories, research your family's military history or simply find a quiet space for reading and reflection. We are honored to be a place where military families and veterans can find comfort, information and a sense of belonging.
AACPL is hosting special events and activities to commemorate this month. We encourage you to check our event calendar for military-themed programs that provide fun learning opportunities.
- Team up with Making Cards for Our Troops and Operation Gratitude to make professional quality (blank) greeting cards for deployed members overseas and earn school community service hours. All supplies will be provided.
- Learn from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Herring Bay about cold water survival and watch their Cold Water Boot Camp training.
- Join us for live film viewings of Dunkirk (PG-13, 2017) or the classic Forrest Gump (1994).
- Explore the history of the U.S. Marine Corps Navajo Code Talkers with a presenter from the National Cryptologic Museum.
Enrich your knowledge of military affairs and history using the library’s digital resources.
- Choose your next read from our lists of books for kids, teens and adults.
- Stream movies and films highlighting military history, veteran stories and achievements using Kanopy.
- Delve into the lives of historical and contemporary military members and veterans like Stonewall Jackson, Jacqueline Van Ovost or George Gordon Meade using our Biography database.
- Enjoy local history? Take a look at AACPL’s historic postcard collection on Digital Maryland featuring Camp Meade, now known as Fort George G. Meade.
- Check out our Military Family Resource Center at Severn Community Library. They host a variety of resources to help service members and their families navigate pre- and post-deployment life.
- Research current and past military affairs through scholarly journals, magazines and reports with our Military and Intelligence database, U.S. History database and War & Terrorism database.
- Unearth the past and honor those who served with Fold3 by Ancestry, which provides access to U.S. military records, stories and photographs.
- Going overseas? Want to learn a new language? Check out Mango Languages or Rosetta Stone Library Solution, two online language-learning programs you can use free with your library card.
Veterans and Career Resources
Transitioning from military to civilian? We have resources that can help at our Career Center. Be sure to check out our Military Personnel and Veterans Services to find our Veteran's Resolution and more Veteran Community Resources.
- Explore tools like CareerOneStop or Brainfuse - JobNow for career and training opportunities.
- Stop by the Military Transition Fair to meet local organizations and network on Saturday, November 11.
- Take a look at our Vocations and Careers database, which offers current and applicable periodicals from general career guides to specialized industry journals.
- AACPL also offers CAC Readers for in-library use at Maryland City at Russett Library, Odenton Library and Severn Library.
As we celebrate National Veteran and Military Families Month, AACPL extends its heartfelt gratitude to all military families and veterans for their dedication, resilience and service. We are here to support you and offer a welcoming space for growth and connection. Visit your local AACPL branch, explore our resources and participate in our events this month. A big thank you to our military members, families and veterans for being an essential part of our community!
Published October 31, 2023