The Athens-Clarke County Library is one just 50 in the nation selected to host the traveling exhibition, Americans and the Holocaust. The exhibit, which is on display from November 7 through December 19, explores the factors which shaped the American response to Nazism, war, and genocide in the 1930s and 1940s.
“The exhibit looks at what Americans knew about the Holocaust and when did they know it,” according to Trudi Green, assistant director for public services and branch manager at the library.
“And I think that’s kind of the most enlightening thing, is that it wasn’t 1945 and all of a sudden, we find out in America about all the atrocities. There was news out well before that and Americans did have the opportunity to read about it.”
The exhibit consists of ten panels, which visitors can view on their own, or as part of a guided tour. Public Information Officer Darcy Calia says that a series of special events is also planned, including a virtual book club, film screening, teen tour, and more.
“We have a really exciting lineup of programs,” Calia said. “We are going to have our exhibit opening on November 10th at 3 pm. It’s actually a Kristallnacht remembrance, that’s The Night of Broken Glass. They will be watching a short video about Kristallnacht and what that was.”
