Veterans Day is observed each year on Nov. 11 to honor those who have served in the United States military. Johnson County Library offers resources to help commemorate the day, from researching military records and our nation’s history to uncovering family stories and supporting veterans through job resources and connection opportunities.
1. Access military records
Fold3 Library Edition provides military records, photos and personal documents from county, state, national and international archives. It contains more than 470 million searchable records, including information on the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars I and II, Vietnam War and more.
2. Research heritage and history
HeritageQuest Online collections are designed for researching family history with an emphasis on American heritage. Research U.S. and Canadian Census records, including Indian Census Rolls and military records.
Associated Press Collections Online features post-World War II news and images from nine U.S. city bureaus, covering events, people and trends into the early 2000s.
3. Learn by going local
JoCoHistory Collections contains more than 40,000 historical photographs, newspapers, maps and other materials documenting the people, places and organizations of Johnson County, from the 19th century to the present. The JoCoHistory Obituary Index also provides citations for local newspaper obituaries dating from the late 19th century to today.
4. Preserve family memories
The Genealogy Desk at Central Resource Library in Overland Park allows you to trace your roots with help from knowledgeable volunteers from the Johnson County Genealogical Society. Go further by exploring the Memory Lab, a free digitization space where you can preserve, convert and safeguard family photos, videos and other personal records.
Note: Johnson County Library is closed on Veterans Day (Nov. 11).
5. Find support and community
For veterans, the Library is a place for lifelong learning and connection. Use the eLibrary to access resources 24/7, reserve a meeting space or meet new people at a Library event.
For job seekers, Brainfuse JobNow has live coaches and resume templates while Universal Class features self-paced online courses. Workshops with partners like Workforce Partnership provide additional career support. The Mature Workers Roundtable meets the third Wednesday of each month from 10 to 11 a.m. for job seekers 55 and older.
Volunteering with the Library or Friends of Johnson County Library is another way to build community. The Library also offers Peterson’s Test & Career Prep, where veterans’ dependents can research colleges and find scholarships specifically available to them.
Discover more
The United States celebrated its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. This milestone is an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s history and honor the contributions of veterans. Pick up a Pocket Constitution at any Johnson County Library location and explore all resources at jocolibrary.org.
