Colorado Springs, Colo. July 20, 2023 — Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) has announced the 2023 book for All Pikes Peak Reads, its annual community reads program: The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line: Untold Stories of the Women Who Changed the Course of World War II by Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Mari K. Eder. All Pikes Peak Reads focuses on celebrating literature, improving community connections, and fostering dialogue across social, cultural, and generational lines. Each year’s book is paired with programs and activities. This year’s title, which discusses the Holocaust, also compliments a special traveling exhibit, Americans and the Holocaust, coming to East Library from Sept. 5 – Oct. 11.
“We have such a rich military history and such a rich military community here,” Senior Librarian Heidi Buljung said. “This story compliments the exhibit and reading Gen. Eder’s book also helps to give context to the exhibit.”
The book recounts the stories of women who performed extraordinary feats during WWII and went largely without recognition for their actions. These heroes stepped out of line to bring Jewish refugees to safety in the U.S., smuggle Jewish families into Great Britain, serve as pilots in a largely male-dominated field, spy on Nazi operations, and more.
Anyone who wants to participate in All Pikes Peak Reads can check out a physical or digital copy of the book, available now. Book clubs at several Library locations will also read the book together, and anyone interested can find their nearest library book club by visiting ppld.org/book-clubs. Eder will give a keynote presentation on Sat., Oct. 7 at 3 p.m. at Library 21c followed by a meet-and-greet and book signing. Information about All Pikes Peak Reads and its scheduled programs can be found at ppld.org/appr.
Eder’s book was selected to pair with the special Holocaust exhibit that the Library is hosting in the fall. East 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 that examines the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war, and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. The exhibit will be open from Sept. 5 – Oct. 11.
PPLD applied for a grant to host the exhibit and was selected as the only library in Colorado to host it. There will be an opening reception on Sat., Sept. 9 from 10:30 a.m. - noon, along with special programming throughout its stay.
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.
“We hope we will provide our community with a great opportunity to learn more about the American aspects of the Holocaust and how Americans responded to Nazism and the Holocaust,” says Senior Librarian Melissa Mitchell, who is managing the exhibit during its stay at East Library. “We hope to have a dialogue where people will talk about the exhibit and think about things that are happening currently in the world and what they may do about it, and what they would have done during the Holocaust as well.”
The Library has thought-provoking programs planned to pair with the exhibit, including:
- A workshop for educators on Thu., Sept. 7 from 5 – 8 p.m. focused on helping public school educators comply with Colorado House Bill 20-1336, which requires that students complete a course that includes Holocaust and genocide studies for high school graduation.
- An opening reception on Sat., Sept. 9 from 10:30 a.m. - noon.
- Guided tours of the exhibit from Sept. 11 – Oct. 10.
- A presentation called European Jewish Refugees and U.S. Immigration Policies Before and After World War II, presented by Dr. Fran Pilch on Thu., Sept. 21 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Self-guided tours are available at any time during library hours, or anyone interested can schedule a tour and find more information at ppld.org/holocaustexhibit or email exhibit@ppld.org.
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Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) provides everyone with access to resources and opportunities so people can thrive and connect. The Library cultivates spaces for belonging, personal growth, and strong communities via 16 facilities, mobile library services, and a large online hub of resources. It is an internationally recognized system of public libraries serving a population of nearly 700,000 across 2,070 square miles in El Paso County, Colo. Learn more at ppld.org.
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.
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; 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.