Americans and the Holocaust

Americans and the Holocaust will be at USCL Aug. 19-Sept. 30, 2026

Upper Sandusky Community 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 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.

“We are so proud to be selected from a competitive pool of applicants from all across the nation to host this important and powerful exhibition,” said Library Director Kathleen Whitt. “We encourage community members to come explore it, and we’re excited to be partnering with our local schools to host field trips, as well. The exhibition will challenge people to not only ask ‘what would I have done?’ but also, ‘what will I do?’”

To learn more about the exhibition, visit ushmm.org/americans-ala. Read the full announcement.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibit will be a huge undertaking by the Upper Sandusky Community Library, and we want to provide the best experience for visitors as possible. That includes recruiting community members to help monitor the exhibit as well as provide education to those exploring the various displays.

The application for volunteer opportunities has now closed. If you've signed up to be a docent or volunteer and have questions, please contact Krystal at ksmalley@seolibraries.org.

Professional development training for teachers

We are teaming up with the Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center to provide a professional development day for teachers on Wednesday, March 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be presented by Lauren Karas, the director of education at the HHC.

Topics to be covered:

Foundation and basics of the Holocaust: defining the Holocaust, why we teach the Holocaust
Core knowledge on anti-semitism, both then and now
Timeline activity for teachers
Q&A

Lunch will be provided. Please let us know if you have any special dietary restrictions (vegan/vegetarian/gluten free) or food allergies.

This professional development is open to all teachers. You may register now through Saturday, March 14.

Credits

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 to 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 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.