Marshalltown library selected to host national Holocaust exhibit

‘Americans and the Holocaust’ arrives May 2020

The Marshalltown Public Library 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 MPL -- the only Iowa library selected -- along with a series of related special events, from May 11, 2020 to June 22, 2020.

"We are so proud to be selected from a pool of more than 250 applicants to host this important and powerful exhibition," said library director Sarah Rosenblum. "We encourage community members to come explore it, and we're excited to be partnering with the Marshalltown Community School District, Marshalltown Community College, the Iowa Jewish Historical Society and the UNI Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education. The exhibition will challenge people to not only ask 'what would I have done?' but also, 'what will I do?' "

The touring library exhibition -- based on the special exhibition of the same name at the Museum in Washington, D.C. -- will travel to U.S. libraries from 2020 to 2022.

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 MPL will receive a cash grant to support public programs. One library staff member will also have expenses paid to attend an orientation workshop at the Museum.

For more information about Americans and the Holocaust and related programming at the MPL, visit www.marshalltownlibrary.org. To learn more about the exhibition, visit ushmm.org/americans-ala.

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.

For more information about the exhibit, contact Rosenblum, 641-754-5780, or srosenblum@marshalltown-ia.gov.