A series of programs currently at the Oak Park Public Library will shine a light on American involvement in the first world war, marking a century since the U.S. entered the conflict.
“World War I and America” features book talks, performances and author events this month and in early November. The series is part of a national initiative of the Library of America and other organizations, with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Debby Preiser, the library’s community relations coordinator, said they’ve received many grants over the years, allowing Oak Park to take part in the National Endowment for the Arts’ Big Read programs, like last fall’s “Into the Beautiful North.” Preiser said the library received $1,800 in grant money for the WWI program series.
When the library receives a particular grant, Preiser looks forward to organizing a litany of events, including book discussions, film screenings and more.
“They give us a chance to really expand beyond the programs I would be able to do with my regular budget,” Preiser said.
This series includes discussions on essays and books like “All Quiet on the Western Front,” events with authors who’ve written about women heroes of the war, and Chicago’s connection to the war. The library also organized kids events like pickle preservation in collaboration with Sugar Beet Schoolhouse, and an inventor workshop.
On Nov. 4, veterans of various American wars will share their stories and military experiences during “Today’s Veterans Read!” Preiser said they partnered with the Oak Park Vet Center for the event, and they are still looking for veterans willing to share their stories.
“We were encouraged to include contemporary veterans in our programming,” Preiser said.
The library also collaborated with the Oak Park River Forest Museum, whose exhibit “From the Home Front to the Battle Front” runs through the end of the year, said Frank Lipo, the museum’s executive director. Bob Messer, a retired history professor and historical society volunteer, will guide a tour through the museum’s WWI poster exhibit on Nov. 11.
Lipo said the museum exhibit and the library events offer an opportunity for locals to connect history with contemporary issues.
“One hundred years is kind of a good milestone,” Lipo said. “I think all points of history, there’s ways to connect to it.”
Preiser believes many Americans probably don’t appreciate the key role the U.S. played in WWI, which America entered in 1917, and thinks grantmakers would like to promote a greater understanding of the conflict and how it affected the country.
“When I was in high school in the ’60s, I don’t remember anyone mentioning World War I,” Preiser said.
The programming has been well-received thus far, Preiser said, although “we’d love the audiences to be larger.”
For a calendar of events, visit oppl.org/library-led-events/world-war-i-and-america.
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Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.