As part of the World War I and America series, the Scotch Plains Public Library will host many interesting lectures, discussions, and films in the months of October and November. The series commemorates the centennial of American involvement in World War One and explores the ongoing experience of veterans who have served in our lifetimes.
On Thursday, October 12 at at 7 pm, Dr. Linda Caldwell Epps will facilitate a readings-based discussion on Race and World War I. The readings should be completed in preparation for the evening; they are available on the library’s website or by visiting http://ww1america.org/race-wwi.php. Pre-registration is required for this event.
Most New Jersey residents went willingly to war in 1917–but some did not.
On Thursday, October 19 at 7 pm,
Mark Lender, retired chair of the History Department at Kean University, will explore the home-front experience of New Jersey, with a special focus on the tension between the civil liberties of those who opposed American participation in the conflict and the military needs of a country at war.
On Monday, October 23 at 7 pm,
Jessica Cooperman, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Director of Jewish Studies at Muhlenberg College, will discuss an unintentional consequence of involvement in World War I—American religious pluralism and the depiction of Judaism and Catholicism as equal partners to Protestantism in the “three faiths of American democracy.”
On Thursday, October 26 at 7 pm,
Dr. Christopher C. Gibbs, author and U.S. army veteran, will facilitate a reading-based discussion on the American Home Frontduring World War I. Readings should be done in preparation for the evening. They are available online by going to http://wwiamerica.org/home-front.php. Gibbs is the author of The Great Silent Majority: Missouri’s Resistance to World War I, as well as six crime novels set in the aftermath of the war. He served with the military police in Vietnam, and has taught history at Rutgers, Middlesex County College, and Union County College. Pre-registration is required for this event.
On Thursday, November 2 at 7 pm,
Ryan Harty, U.S. army veteran, will facilitate a reading-based discussion on Coming Home: The Toll of War. Harty is currently serving as the Operations Officer for the 1st Squadron, 102d Cavalry Regiment stationed in Westfield and deployed in 2008-2009 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Readings should be completed in preparation for the evening and are available online by going to http://wwiamerica.org/coming-home.php; advanced registration is required.
Finally,
on Thursday, November 9 at 7 pm,
the series will draw to a close with graphic designer and creator of the “52 Reasons to Love a Vet” gallery exhibit, Ella Rue-Eyet, discussing how her family’s experience was the impetus for the founding of a non-profit that serves veterans. A reception to honor our veterans follows her talk.
World War I and America is a two-year initiative of Library of America presented in partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the National World War I Museum and Memorial, and other organizations, with generous support from The National Endowment for the Humanities.
Registration is not required for these programs, unless otherwise specified above. For more information and to see the listings for future events, go to http://www.scotlib.org/2017/worldwarone, email library@scotlib.org, call (908) 322-5007 x 204 or stop by the Reference Desk.
The Scotch Plains Library is located at 1927 Bartle Avenue, one block from Park Avenue in the center of town.
