Albany VA partners with Albany Public Library
By Sean Tuckey, Health Systems Specialist, Acting Public Affairs Officer
Recently the Albany branch of the Public Library visited the Albany VA to educate Veterans and Staff about the services offered at the local library.
Acting Community Development & Civic Engagement (CDCE) Chief Jason Goman, who helped coordinate the event, shared “This was a win-win opportunity, I learned so much about what the library has to offer. The Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) which includes the Albany Branch, is a cooperative association of twenty-nine autonomous public libraries working together to improve library service for the 475,078 residents of Albany and Rensselaer Counties.”
Medical Center Director, Darlene Delancey added “The libraries coordinate programing and activities across the 22 counties we serve, they assist and complement the resources and efforts of its member libraries, offering a variety of services, from a shared network and delivery service and they provide outreach services to underserved populations. The plan is the Albany Public Library will be coming back monthly to table, with an eye of expanding services to our Community Living Center and after-hours resources for Veterans admitted to the Hospital.”
Acting Public Affairs Officer Sean Tuckey noted “While visiting the local library to look for new books is always a page turner, Veterans and staff should also be aware of the Libby App. It’s a great way to look up ideas when you can’t get to the library or if reading strains your eyes, you can also listen to audiobooks through the app.”
Meg Kelly from the Albany Public Library noted “it was great talking with the Veterans and staff today, the 1st step is to get your library card if you don’t have one”
“The Albany VA will be returning the favor and our outreach team will be visiting the Troy Public Library on May 15th from 10AM-2PM & the Lansingburgh Library from May 20th from 12PM-4PM, offering on the spot enrollments and education about VA services” shared Jenifer Stilleto-Smith, Social Worker & Community Engagement Partnership Coordinator.