The Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibition is an 1100 square foot multimedia exhibition created by the American Library Association and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Amarillo Public Library is one of only 50 libraries across the country selected to host the exhibition, and the only public library in the state of Texas.

The exhibition is free and open to the public and can be viewed during library hours Saturday, 9/17 through Sunday, 10/23:

Monday - Thursday, 9 AM to 9 PM
Friday - Saturday, 9 AM to 6 PM
Sunday, 2 PM - 6 PM

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.

For more information about the exhibition, visit www.amarillolibrary.org or call (806) 378-3089