home > press releases > Georgia Southern’s Henderson Library was selected to host the Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibit
Georgia Southern University’s Zach S. Henderson Library is one of 50 US libraries selected to house Americans and the Holocaust, a US Holocaust Memorial Museum touring exhibition that explores the motivations, pressures, and fears that shaped American responses to Nazism, war, and genocide in Europe in the 1930s and 1940s.
The library’s traveling exhibit — based on the special exhibit of the same name at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC — will tour US libraries from 2020-2022.
“We are so proud to have been selected from a pool of more than 250 applicants to host this important and compelling exhibit,” said Lisa Carmichael, Ph.D., Dean of Libraries at Georgia Southern University. “We encourage community members to explore it and we also look forward to partnering with local organizations. The exhibition challenges people to ask not only: ‘What would I have done?’ but also: ‘What will I do?’”
Americans and the Holocaust will be on display at the Henderson Library on Georgia Southern University’s Statesboro campus along with a series of related special events on both campuses February 1-March 11. The fellowship opening and reception will take place on February 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Henderson Library.
Based on extensive new research from this period, Americans and the Holocaust addresses major issues in American history and examines the many factors, including the Great Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism, and anti-Semitism, that influenced the decisions of the U.S. government, news media, organizations, and Individuals on how they reacted to National Socialism. This exhibit challenges the widely held assumption that Americans knew little about the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews and did nothing as the Holocaust unfolded.
Drawing on a remarkable collection of primary sources from the 1930s and 1940s, 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 decisions, sought to bring about change and, in some cases, took significant risks to help victims of Nazism even helping as a rescue has never been a government priority.
In addition to the traveling exhibition loan, the Henderson Library received a cash grant to support public programs. The grant also covered participation by a librarian in an orientation workshop at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.
For more information on Americans and the Holocaust and related programs at Georgia Southern University, see georgiasouthern.libguides.com/aath.
Americans and the Holocaust: A Traveling Library Exhibition is an educational initiative of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association. To learn more about the exhibition, visit ushmm.org/americans-ala.
Americans and the Holocaust was made possible through the generous support of principal sponsors Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine. Additional large funds were provided by the Bildners – Joan and Allen z’l, Elisa Spungen and Rob, Nancy and 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 GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
University libraries support Georgia Southern University’s mission by providing access to information, collections, and services designed to meet the academic needs of the university and its diverse community. The libraries encourage independent lifelong learning, information literacy, intellectual and creative discovery, and student success. We promote a welcoming and innovative learning environment, both physical and virtual, for research, collaboration and resource conservation.
About the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
A living reminder of the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires leaders and citizens worldwide to fight hate, 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 leading 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 specialty libraries, advocating the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information visit ala.org.
