UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Libraries is one of 50 U.S. libraries selected to host "Americans and the Holocaust," a traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum that examines the motives, pressures and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s.
"Americans and the Holocaust" will be on display at the University Libraries from Saturday, Jan. 29, through Thursday, March 10, in the Leisure Reading Room, Pattee Library, on the University Park Campus. A full listing of complementary special events, with descriptions, can be found online here.
The exhibition opens at the Libraries on Holocaust Remembrance Day — Thursday, Jan. 27 — with an introductory talk by exhibition curator and President of the Newberry Library, Daniel Greene. The presentation, titled "Americans and the Holocaust: Conceptualizing the Exhibition," takes place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. via Zoom, and is sponsored by Penn State’s Jewish Studies Program.
“The University Libraries is proud to host this important and powerful traveling exhibition,” said Faye A. Chadwell, dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications. “I invite the community — including faculty who wish to incorporate it into their course work — to explore the exhibition and thoughtfully curated related programming, and answer for themselves not only “what would I have done” but also “what will I do?”
In dialogue with the travelling version of the "Americans and the Holocaust" exhibition, the Special Collections Library will host a companion exhibition titled "Jewish Histories: Selections from the Eberly Family Special Collections Library" presenting primary sources and artists’ books that document and preserve Jewish history, religion, and culture. The exhibition will be on view in the Special Collections gallery space at 104 Paterno Library, University Park campus.
Primary sources are the documents, books, and creative works that capture history as it is unfolding, that is, works created during the historical time period under consideration. They are the foundations of research for many historians and others who study the past. One powerful example on view is selections from the Kirschner Family Papers, a collection of personal letters from Jewish individuals and families desperately seeking assistance to immigrate to the United States during the late 1930s and 1940s to escape Nazi persecution and genocide.
"Jewish Histories" is made possible by the generous support of the Sandra K. Stelts and Ronald L. Filippelli Exhibitions Program Endowment for Special Collections.
A public tour of both the "Americans and the Holocaust" and "Jewish Histories" exhibitions will take place on Thursday, Feb. 24 from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Meet at the Curtin Rd. entrance to the Paterno Library. Email Clara Drummond at cjd86@psu.edu to register for the tour.
Based on extensive new research of that period, "Americans and the Holocaust" addresses important themes in American history, exploring the many factors — including the Great Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism and antisemitism — that influenced decisions made by the U.S. government, the news media, organizations and individuals as they responded to Nazism. This exhibition will challenge the commonly held assumptions that Americans knew little and did nothing about the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews as the Holocaust unfolded.
Drawing on a remarkable collection of primary sources from the 1930s and ’40s, the exhibition focuses on the stories of individuals and groups of Americans who took action in response to Nazism. It will challenge visitors to consider the responsibilities and obstacles faced by individuals — from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to ordinary Americans — who made difficult choices, sought to effect change, and, in a few cases, took significant risks to help victims of Nazism even as rescue never became a government priority.
In addition to the traveling exhibition on loan, the University Libraries received a cash grant to support public programs. The grant also covered one library staff member’s attendance at an orientation workshop at the Museum.
For more information about Americans and the Holocaust and related programming at Penn State University Libraries, visit https://sites.psu.edu/americansandtheholocaust/ and the University Libraries’ Americans and the Holocaust resources page. For questions about accommodations provided for Americans and the Holocaust, contact Tara Grove, librarian for Germanic and Slavic languages and linguistics, at tem10@psu.edu or 814-865-0660.
Americans and the Holocaust: A Traveling Exhibition for Libraries is an educational initiative of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association, made possible by the generous support of lead sponsor Jeannie & Jonathan Lavine. Additional major funding was provided by the Bildners — Joan & Allen z”l, Elisa Spungen & Rob, Nancy & Jim; and Jane and Daniel Och. The Museum's exhibitions are also supported by the Lester Robbins and Sheila Johnson Robbins Traveling and Special Exhibitions Fund, established in 1990.
About Penn State University Libraries
The University Libraries inspire intellectual discovery and learning through robust information resources and academic collaborations in teaching and research that connect the Penn State community and citizens of Pennsylvania to the world of knowledge and new ideas.
We are a world-class research library with a global reach, providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for learning, collaboration, and knowledge creation. As partners in research and education, and leaders in delivery and preservation of library collections, we will leverage technology and reward innovation to ensure the University Libraries are a destination of choice. For more information, visit libraries.psu.edu.
About the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires leaders and citizens worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. The Museum’s far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors. For more information, visit ushmm.org.
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.