In a bid to honor the voices of those who've served in our armed forces, the St. Johns County Public Library System (SJCPLS) and a local nonprofit, Veterans Museum based out of Jacksonville, have joined forces. Their collaborative effort has resulted in an interactive kiosk planted at the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch library. This initiative offers an intimate glimpse into the personal histories of military service members through a convenient touchscreen interface, housing over 100 video and audio narratives.
Since its unveiling a handful of weeks ago, the kiosk has seen north of 170 uses — a testament to the community's engagement and interest in the soldier’s tales. It’s a standout addition, as the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch marks the first in St. Johns County to host such a station. Kim Odom, the branch manager asserts in a statement obtained by St. Johns County Public Library System, “We are honored to be able to provide a space where the stories of veterans can be heard.” The implication is clear: libraries aren't just vaults of published works; they're incubators for residing histories and collective memory.
SJCFL details how the SJCPLS isn't a stranger to paying homage to veterans. They embarked on a previous collaboration back in 2013, partnering with Haven Hospice and the St. Johns County Council on Aging to archive oral history interviews with the local veteran community. It's about cementing their stories, ensuring they don't fade into the background noise of the digital era.
Debra Rhodes Gibson, the Director of the St. Johns County Public Library System, drives home the sentiment that these kiosks are more than just informative hubs. They're a symbol of gratitude, a tangible acknowledgment of sacrifices made. “We would not be free libraries without our veterans,” she mentioned in a report given by SJCFL.
