Broward County Library's Vet Fest 2022 is now a full month of programs and activities that honor veterans and offer military benefits awareness and entertainment for the whole family. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost 80,000 veterans live in Broward County. Agencies serving these veterans report that many fail to use their benefits for housing, health, legal services or employment because they are unaware of what is available to them, earned by their service. A key component of Vet Fest is informing veterans of free or low-cost education and job training resources, such as those offered at Broward County Library, and from government and community agencies.

A variety of programs, celebrations and activities take place at library branches throughout Broward and at the Reverend Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park adjacent to the African American Research Library and Cultural Center. Participating library branches include Margate Catharine Young Branch, North Regional/Broward College Library, Weston Branch, Deerfield Beach Percy White Branch, Century Plaza Leon Slatin Branch, and Main Library. For a complete list of programs, enter "Vet Fest" in the Library Events Calendar with a date range of November 1 to 30. 

Special guests include author and veteran Alex Duran in Margate Branch, poet and veteran Brian Turner in Weston Branch, the Senior Moments Unforgettable Band at the Deerfield Beach Branch, and also in Deerfield, a graphic novel discussion and art lesson from Cory Luab.   

Veteran-themed programs include movies, children's storytime, visiting experts, Anime Club book discussion and giveaway, a Creation Station Vet Fest edition, and how-to information on finding and applying for veteran's benefits.

Saturday, November 19, from 11AM to 2PM, is Veterans Family Day at Reverend Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park, a collaboration between Broward County Library, Broward County Parks and Recreation, and the Broward County Elderly and Veterans Services Division. The event is a community-wide outdoor festival that includes music, free food, face painting, a magic show, and vendor and information tables.

All programs are free and open to the public. Program sponsorship has been generously provided by the Broward Public Library Foundation. For more information about these programs, please contact Michael Bryant, Adult Services Coordinator, at Mdbryant@broward.org or 954-357-7435.