Reflections on WWII @ San José Libraries
Libraries Host Programs to Further Discussion of the Ken Burns Film, "The War"
September
18, 2007 -
San José libraries host a series of free programs this fall complementing local public television broadcast of "The War," a seven-part series directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. The series provides a partial snapshot of the World War II experience through the personal accounts of a handful of men and women from four geographically distributed American towns: Waterbury, Conn.; Mobile, Ala.; Sacramento, Calif.; and the tiny farming town of Luverne, Minn. According to a joint press release issued by the Library of Congress and the Public Broadcasting Service, "the series explores the most intimate human dimensions of one of the greatest cataclysms in history."
Reminiscences of local WWII veterans and book club discussions form the basis for library programs scheduled at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library and branches of the San José Public Library system.
"Nothing brings history to life like a first-hand account of personal experience," says SJSU Librarian Harry Meserve. "We are privileged to play a small part in preserving our shared history and ensuring that the lessons of the past are not lost to present and future generations."
Participants are encouraged to follow the "The War" series, which begins airing on KQED TV 9, starting September 23, with a repeat broadcast scheduled for Wednesdays, starting October 3 on KTEH TV 54 (Comcast 10).
As an adjunct to this program series, a website - www.flickr.com/groups/wwii_sanjoselibraries/ - has been set up to enable members of the community to share their personal photos reflecting World War II memories and experiences. Those interested can upload images to the website from home. Alternatively, community members may bring their photos to the California Room on the fifth floor of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library any Saturday afternoon in October. Staff will be available between 1 and 6 p.m. to assist in scanning and uploading up to five images.
For more information, contact:
• Lorraine Oback, San José Public Library, at (408)
808-2176
Back
to top |
