About the "World War II at 80" Pro gram Series
\n2025 marks the eightieth anniversary of the e nd of the Second World War\, a pivotal historical moment that continues to resonate profoundly in our global landscape. The Miami-Dade Public Librar y System proudly presents "World War II at 80" - a year-long series honori ng historical milestones. Enlightening panel discussions and presentations \, thought-provoking exhibits and book clubs\, along with other insightful events are planned throughout the year. Discover Miami's role in this inf ormative chapter of history and its ongoing relevance today.? Students may ask about earning community service hours for attending and participating in the event.
\nVisit \;https: //mdpls.org/WWII to learn more and see the schedule of events. \;< /p>\n
About the Films:
\n·\; \; \;& nbsp\; \; \; \; \; \; Spring man and the SS\, \;1973\, 16 mins.
\nThis animated cartoon was made toward the e nd of World War II\, in Czechoslovakia\, by puppeteer/filmmaker Jiri Trnka . Also known as The Devil on Springs\, the film's anti-Nazi tone dismayed the Nazis and created a fabled hero known at the Spring Man\, who is actua lly a chimney sweep whose feet\, caught up in some couch springs\, bounce along causing one disaster after another for the Nazis and their eventual defeat. Trnka develops the theme of the power of the individual in an oppr essive society with this symbol.
\n·\; \; \; \;&nb sp\; \; \; \; \; Joseph Schultz\, 1973\, 11 mins.
\nA dramatization about a German soldier during World War II in Yug oslavia who\, refusing to participate in the execution of innocent hostage s\, brings his own death\, and provides for the viewer a consideration of the moral and ethical code of the individual in a time of war.
\n&mi ddot\; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Raoul W allenberg\, missing hero\, 1981\, 51 mins.
\nWith archival foot age and interviews with various persons related with his case\, this film tells the story and discusses the fate of the Swedish diplomat who saved t housands of Hungarian Jews during World War II\, only to vanish into Russi an prisons after the liberation of Hungary by the Soviet forces.
\n< strong>About the Film Collection
\nThe 16mm film collection has been part of the Library's holdings for over 55 years. It began in th e 1960s\, and its first films were part of the City of Miami&rsquo\;s publ ic library before there was a county library. When MDPLS was formed\, the County supplemented its local funding for films with Federal LSCA (Library Services and Construction Act) grants. Apart from leased feature films\, all films were purchased for free exhibition for the life of the print. Su bjects within the collection include experimental/avant-garde art films\, non-narrated films\, children&rsquo\;s films\, Black history\, Floridiana\ , and local history. Today\, there are over 4\,000 films within the collec tion.
\nAbout the Division of Special Collections &\; Arc hives
\nMiami-Dade Public Library System&rsquo\;s Division of Special Collections &\; Archives holds rare and irreplaceable histor ical documents for the benefit of the public and scholarly community. They oversee the Helen Muir Florida Collection\, 16mm Film Collection\, Cuban Collection of Rare Books &\; Ephemera\, Genealogy Collection\, The Vasa ri Project\, and rare &\; antiquarian books from as early as the 17th c entury. The Division's primary goal is to provide the public with the cont ents of the vault at their request. Its collections include rare books\, o riginal manuscripts\, over 18\,000 photographs\, prints\, artifacts\, audi ovisual resources\, and electronic media.
\nhttps://mdpls.libnet.info/e vent/12132850 URL;VALUE=URI:https://mdpls.libnet.info/event/12132850 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR