Librarian and Veterans Resource Center Coordinator Maira Hernandez-Andrade and Library Supervisor Kurt Gally. Photo provided by Kurt Gally.
Monrovia Public Library’s Veterans Resource Center helps veterans navigate benefits and connect with housing, mental health and employment resources. With Veterans Day coming up, we asked Library Supervisor Kurt Gally about common requests the Center gets, barriers to getting help, and plans for the coming year.
What brings veterans to the center most often, and what gets in the way of prompt help?
Gally: The most common reasons veterans and their family members visit are assistance navigating VA benefits, including disability compensation; college fee waivers for eligible family members; and a veteran designation on their driver’s licenses.
The timeline for receiving assistance often depends on factors beyond the center’s control, including the availability of a Veterans Service Officer and response times from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.
Many older veterans are unfamiliar with the VA mobile app, making it harder to check claims and receive updates. The center has a Veterans Peer Access Network representative on-site every Tuesday who can assist with this process, no appointment needed. The network also helps with housing, mental health and employment inquiries.
Which veterans are least likely to use the center, and how are you reaching them?
Gally: Based on feedback during veterans’ programs and events, younger veterans appear to be among the least likely to use the center. Work schedules, family responsibilities and the feeling that they are taking opportunities away from older veterans can be barriers.
The center offers monthly programs for veterans of all ages and their families. These informal gatherings introduce visitors to the center and its resources without the pressure of a formal service appointment.
Staff also visit local Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and attend community events, including the Annual Congressional Veterans Forum hosted by Representatives Gil Cisneros and Judy Chu. Our monthly e-newsletter shares a calendar, announces programs and recaps past events. Sign up here.
What should veterans expect over the next year?
Gally: We plan to continue programs that bring veterans and their families together and connect them with community resources.
A trip to the American Military Museum in El Monte is planned for Jan. 30, 2027. Registered participants will receive free transportation from the library and a free guided tour, with an opportunity to connect with fellow veterans.
The center is also planning a spring 2027 program with the Veterans Peer Access Network to help veterans learn to navigate the VA mobile app. Hands-on guidance will focus on checking claims, accessing information and receiving updates, particularly for older veterans who need help using online services.
- Brad Haugaard
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