Peters library commemorates U.S. entry into World War I

The Peters Township Public Library is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I with a series of events titled “World War I and America” that will run through Nov. 2.

The library also is featuring a traveling exhibit detailing the war and America’s 1917 involvement.

The exhibit will be there until Aug. 24.

“World War I and America” is a two-year initiative by The 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 support from The National Endowment for the Humanities.

The series at the Peters library kicked off Thursday with featured speaker Michael Neiberg, a WWI scholar and humanities adviser for the Library of America WWI and America Project.

The evening also featured a musical performance by Valerie Williams, who sang WWI and WWII-era songs.

“Our library focuses on bringing educational programs to the community through our library commitment to lifelong learning,” said Margaret Deitzer, who heads the library reference department.

“Extending this commitment for educational programs to the theme of World War I was a well-timed extension of the publicity surrounding the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into the Great War,” Ms. Deitzer said.

The library also partners with Todd DePastino, executive director of the Veterans Breakfast Club, which along with the library’s WWII discussion group will offer programs and exhibits on the first and second World Wars.

The programs will be available for both students and adults.

Local residents contributed two World War I uniforms and five posters that were part this week’s opening.

The library also obtained the rights to display 15 images from the WWI collections at the Pennsylvania State Archives that will be on display with the traveling exhibit.

In addition, the library will offer its own programs onWWI.

A discussion of two WWI films, “The Dawn Patrol” [1930] and 1941’s “Sergeant York” will be lead by Carnegie Mellon University faculty member David R. Shumway at 7 p.m. Aug. 20.

A panel discussion of the books “Experience of War” and “Why Fight” will be presented at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 and lead by Mr. DePastino. Panelists include George Dvorznak, facilitator of the library’s WWII discussion group; retired Lt. Col. Benjamin Wright; Army helicopter pilot Sarah Bryant, who served in Afghanistan, and Army infantry member Nick Grimes.

A discussion of the film and book versions of “All Quiet on the Western Front,” facilitated by Mr. Shumway, will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 17.

A program titled “United States’ Entry into World War I” will be presented by Mr. DePastino at 7 p.m. Nov. 2.

Ms. Deitzer said an additional program will be scheduled.