The City of Chula Vista has been awarded a $95,000 Congressionally Directed Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to establish a Veterans Wing in the Civic Center Branch of the Chula Vista Public Library. Congressman Bob Filner secured the grant monies in the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act (P.L. 111-8).

The goal of the project is to provide a space for veterans to meet and relax, celebrate the role of veterans, and provide information to veterans and the general public.

Library staff met with representatives of the Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission and the Veterans Home of Chula Vista to consult on the project.

The northwest corner of the branch has been identified as the location for the Veterans Wing, which will provide counseling space, updated veterans information, books and media materials. New carpeting, furniture, and patriotic artwork are included in the grant. The Library plans to schedule library events celebrating Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and others with book readings, movies and featured book displays.

The City of Chula Vista is home to 16,000 veterans and their families, and one of only three veterans homes in the State of California is located within its boundaries.

Work on the Veterans Wing will soon begin, with a ribbon cutting planned for summer 2010.