The exhibit tells the experiences of immigrants who came to New York from all over the world, notably Europe. © 2024 Andrew Della Piana
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The Soule Branch Library, located on the campus of Le Moyne College, is displaying an exhibit about the history and significance of immigration to the US. The exhibit, which is up until the end of November, delves deeply into immigrants’ experiences, examining how they negotiated their new lives in a fast changing culture. Immigrants make up 22.8% of New York’s population.
Ashley Beaver, the digital project and preservation librarian at the Central New York Library Resource Council, is instrumental in bringing this exhibit to life. According to Beaver, one of the exhibit’s primary goals is to encourage young people to explore and learn about their state’s past, as well as to ask questions and connect with their own family histories.
“It will make them ask questions to their parents or family members or guardians and wonder where they’ve come from. They might start to get curious about their own history and think, ‘Hey, I want to try this country’s food because my great-uncle came from there,’” Beaver says.
The exhibit is a collaboration of the Central New York Library Resource Council, New York Heritage and the Empire State Library Network. These groups are collaborating to develop displays that not only preserve important historical narratives, but also make them accessible to a diverse audience.
For additional information about the exhibit, including visiting hours and other resources, please visit the Soule Branch Library website or contact the Central New York Library Resource Council.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Celebrating immigrant contributions: A look at New York’s immigration exhibit
Della Piana: For the past handful of years, the Soule Branch Library in Onondaga County reminds citizens of the importance of immigration into the United States. The immigration in New York state exhibit showcases stories of immigrants coming from Europe, including my family? Close enough. The gallery takes a deeper dive into people’s new liberties in New York.
Della Piana: The Soule Branch Library on the campus of Le Moyne College isn’t the only place where this exhibit travels. Ashley Beaver, the digital project and preservation librarian of the Central New York Library Resource Council says it’s important for kids of all ages to learn the history of their own state.
Beaver: Yeah, it will make them ask questions to their parents or family members or guardians and sort of wonder where they’ve come from. What’s their history and maybe be interested in it? Like I want to try this country’s food because my great-uncle came from there or traveled there.
Della Piana: CLRC is in partnership with New York Heritage and the Empire State Library Network to create these exhibits. Beaver says these can help teachings across the state.
Beaver: If it’s in the library, young children are going to see it, but then there’s like a librarian there who’s going to be able to explain things and give them answers to their questions. If they’re not too interested in reading it, they can look at all the images that are on there and still be interested.
Della Piana: This exhibit will be out for the rest of November. Reporting in Syracuse, Andrew Della Piana, NCC News.