The Lockport Public Arts Council-sponsored commemorative exhibit “Secret Weapons of World War II: Women, Books & Music” has grown since its debut at Kenan House Gallery.
Last week, following the opening reception, branded additional displays popped up at Lockport Public Library and Lock City Books in the Bewley Building.
At the library, the Herzog Room in the center of Floor 2 is the place to learn about the Books for Victory campaign (a mass book drive for GIs) and the Role of Libraries and Librarians During World War II. Photos from the library’s local history collection supplement staff members’ research on the topics.
In addition, 10 vintage Armed Services Editions are on show, all recently acquired by library director Bev Federspiel. As visitors to Kenan House already know, these pocket-sized paperback books were custom-made for soldiers to help keep up their morale; the library’s ASE display adds facts about their production, such as how the 3-1/2-by-5-inch books were kept legible — and efficient, given that paper was among rationed goods at the time.
Federspiel’s discovery of ASEs up for grabs was fortuitous. She said the Buffalo Historical Society was attempting to unload its stash, and knowing they would be a key element of the Secret Weapons exhibit she reached out. Once the exhibit closes, she said, Lockport Public Library will keep a few of those ASEs and turn over the rest to Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park for permanent display in its museum.
Also as part of the three-month exhibit, the library is hosting several live events, including a 2:30 p.m. Feb. 15 session of its Almost Anything Goes book discussion group focused on the historical fiction novel Sisters of Night and Fog by Erika Robuck. The book talk at the library precedes Robuck’s Feb. 26 author talk at the Kenan Center’s Taylor Theater, where she’ll discuss Sisters of Night and Fog and Invisible Woman.
Head of reference Marianne Colton, who counts herself a fan of Robuck’s work, recently read Sisters of Night and Fog for the first time and strongly recommended it.
“It’s a great read for historical fiction fans,” she said, “and although it’s centered on women, it has great crossover appeal for anybody who’s interested in World War II history.”
“Heartwrenching,” she added. “A good book, a good read.”
According to Colton, Sisters of Night and Fog tells the true stories of two women each doing their part to help the Allies win the war, one as a member of the French Resistance and the other as a secret agent for a British intelligence agency, who meet under dire circumstances — they’re both arrested and taken to Ravensbruck concentration camp in northern Germany, where they encounter other women arrested for the same “crimes.” Only one of the main characters lives to see the Allies triumph.
As a writer of historical fiction Robuck focuses on real women of the past, and what Colton most appreciates about her work is its essential accuracy.
“All historical fiction takes some liberties, but, as a whole (Robuck) has done a really good job staying true to the characters’ stories,” she said. The second half of Sisters of Night and Fog is “very powerful” in its detailing of life at Ravensbruck, she added.
“The best sign of a good historical fiction title is it makes you want to go back and learn more,” Colton said. “I want to learn more about the women in concentration camps, their challenges… .”
The Almost Anything Goes book discussion group is led by librarian Laurie Sandretto, who said it meets roughly on a quarterly basis and is open to anyone who wants to read and talk about its selected title, no membership required. Multiple copies of Sisters of Night and Fog are available for check-out now at the library, and the audio book can be checked out through the library reading app Libby. Find Sandretto at the third-floor Reference Desk for help using the app.
Copies of Sisters of Night and Fog are available for purchase ($17) at Lock City Books, where owner-operator Holly Edwards has a Secret Weapons-branded collection of World War II historical fiction titles also including Robuck’s Invisible Woman.
On behalf of Lockport Main Street Inc., Edwards also is creating video promotions of the overall exhibit to post on social media.
Edwards said one of the more striking aspects of Secret Weapons is the extent of community involvement in it. Most of the associated special events, including concerts and featured speakers, are being executed by local organizations including the Kenan Center, the Lockport library, Lock City Sound and the Niagara History Center.
“I’m impressed by the community partnerships that went into creating Secret Weapons,” Edwards said. “It’s exciting to see it come together.”