‘Americans and the Holocaust’ Coming to the Virginia Beach Public Library

The Virginia Beach Public Library (VBPL) is one of 50 U.S. libraries newly selected to host “Americans and the Holocaust,” a traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association (ALA) 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 TCC/City Joint-Use Library, along with a series of related special events, from May 23 to June 28. The 1,100-square-foot exhibition examines various aspects of American society: the government, the military, refugee aid organizations, the media and the general public. Drawing on a remarkable collection of primary sources from the 1930s and ’40s, the exhibition tells the stories of Americans who acted in response to Nazism, challenging the commonly held assumptions that Americans knew little and did nothing about the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews as the Holocaust unfolded. It provides a portrait of American society that shows how the Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism and antisemitism shaped responses to Nazism and the Holocaust. The special event schedule is listed below: 

Adults 

• “To Life: The Past is Present” Book Talk
  6-7 p.m., Thursday, June 5 
• “50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. & Mrs. Kraus” Film Showing & Discussion 
  6-8 p.m., Monday, June 23 

Teens 

• What We Carry  
  2-4 p.m., Tuesday, June 17 
• Holocaust Reporting in Hampton Roads  
  2-4 p.m., Wednesday, June 25 

Teens and Adults 

• Guided Tours of the exhibit will be provided, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays, June 14, and June 28, and select evenings during the week. 

“We are honored to be selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants from all across the nation to host this impactful exhibition,” said Library Director Kimberly Knight. “We invite community members to come to experience it, and we’re excited to be partnering with the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater to offer programs for teens and adults. The exhibition will challenge people to reflect, not only asking ‘What would I have done?’ but also, ‘What will I do?’ I want to extend my sincere thanks to our dedicated library staff for arranging to have the exhibit at VBPL and the Virginia Beach Library Foundation for their ongoing support.” 

In addition to the traveling exhibition on loan, the Virginia Beach Public Library received a $3,000 cash grant to support public programs. The grant also covered one library staff member’s attendance at an orientation workshop at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.  

For more information about “Americans and the Holocaust” and related programming at Virginia Beach Public Library, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/AATH. To learn more about the exhibition, visit ushmm.org/americans-ala.  

“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. The traveling exhibition began by touring 50 U.S. libraries from 2021 to 2023. Due to widespread interest from libraries and communities around the country, a second tour was developed for 2024 to 2026. 

“Americans and the Holocaust” was made possible by the generous support of lead sponsors Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine. Additional major funding was 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 Virginia Beach Public Library 
VBPL has a vast collection of books and periodicals and has evolved immensely over the years from its traditional origins. It’s deepened its roots and expanded its purpose to address a wide spectrum of needs for the public, becoming a destination within the community. VBPL hosts 6,000 programs annually for children, teens, and adults, mirroring its mission: meeting the lifelong needs of our diverse community by providing access to quality resources, knowledgeable staff, engaging programs, and welcoming spaces.  

About the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum 
A nonpartisan, federal educational institution, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is America’s national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust dedicated to ensuring the permanence of Holocaust memory, understanding, and relevance. Through the power of Holocaust history, the Museum challenges leaders and individuals worldwide to think critically about their role in society and to confront antisemitism and other forms of hate, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. 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.