New Rochelle Public Library to Host Exhibition on Human Migration
The New Rochelle Public Library (NRPL) has been selected as one of fifteen libraries to host the traveling exhibition, World on the Move: 250,000 Years of Human Migration. The exhibit, developed by the American Anthropological Association and the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, will open at NRPL on November 25, 2024 and close on January 3, 2025.
By presenting case studies from across human history and an array of cultures, World on the Move invites visitors to recognize that migration is a complex and diverse shared human experience. The exhibition aims to expand the public conversation on the topic of migration and displacement.
“We’re honored to welcome World on the Move to New Rochelle,” said Library Director Eugenia Schatoff. “We hope this exhibition inspires visitors to openly discuss migration, reflect on their family histories, and build empathy for those making similar journeys.”
As part of the exhibition, the New Rochelle Public Library received a stipend to present programming related to the topic of migration. The Library will present the following programs:
On Thursday, December 5, 7:00 pm. New Rochelle High School PAVE dancers will present original dance performances and oral presentations. Through newly choreographed pieces, students explore the theme of migration in 2024, sharing personal stories and reflections that bring the historical narrative into the present.
On Sunday, December 8, 3:00 pm, experience an evocative dance performance by dancers from the Coleman School of Dance, who have delved into migration through various lenses – memories, animal migration, global migration trends, and immigration policy in the USA. Their movements express the emotional highs and lows of migration: sorrow, joy, fear, and relief, weaving together the universal question: Why do we move?
On Saturday, December 21, 1:00 – 4:00 pm New Rochelle librarian and film historian Chris Poggiali will introduce and lead a post-screening discussion of the film America, America (1963).
Young Stavros leaves his war-torn homeland behind to begin a new life, encountering both allies and adversaries on his dramatic trek. Elia Kazan wrote, produced and directed this Best Picture nominee, which is based on the early experiences of his Greek immigrant uncle, who fought to come to the United States and whose starry-eyed impressions of the country were quickly compromised by reality. 168 mins; Starring Stathis Giallelis
On Friday, January 3, 2025, 7:00 pm, a curated evening of poetry and storytelling from local teens (ages 13-18) will be presented as the closing program for World on the Move. Drawing from their understanding and personal experiences of migration, these young voices will offer powerful perspectives on the challenges and hopes connected to the journey of migration in 2024.
The New Rochelle Public Library is located at 1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle.. The exhibition is free and open to the public during library hours. All programs are free and open to all. Registration is requested at bit.ly/NRPL_WorldOnTheMove
World on the Move: 250,000 Years of Human Migration is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office.
The New Rochelle Public Library (NRPL) is a community resource that seeks to improve the life of every citizen in our city. The Library offers a comprehensive print and digital collection that includes retrospective and current materials, up-to-date technology for public use, and a wide range of community services and programs tailored to a diverse audience. Chartered in 1894, NRPL is a school-district library with its own operating budget and a Board of Trustees composed of seven elected members. It has served the 81,500 residents of New Rochelle from its Main Library building in the downtown business district since 1979. A smaller branch, located in the park in front of the New Rochelle High School, was restored through a grassroots effort and currently operates as the Huguenot Children’s Library. Learn more at nrpl.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @NRPublicLibrary