They Shall Not Perish: The Story of Near East Relief

Girl, symbolizing Near East, clinging to woman with sword and U.S. flag, symbolizing America / Douglas Volk (1918).

The Los Angeles Public Library welcomes “They Shall Not Perish: The Story of Near East Relief,” a traveling exhibit curated by the Near East Foundation to recognize the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide (1915-1930) and commemorate the outpouring of generosity by the American people. The exhibit will be on display from May 4 through May 30, 2015, at theValley Plaza Branch Library.

The 14 panel exhibit chronicles the story of the Near East Relief (NER) organization, and how the United States assisted refugees of the first genocide of the 20th century. Entirely funded by the American people, Near East Relief (NER) rescued and provided assistance to hundreds of thousands of men, women and children who were displaced by the Armenian Genocide. Mandated by President Woodrow Wilson and legislated by Congress, humanitarian efforts included orphanages, refugee centers, clinics, hospitals and schools for the survivors. The exhibit is free and open to the public during library hours and is co-sponsored by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, and the Los Angeles Public Library. “America, We Thank You” is an initiative of the Armenian National Committee of America, Western Region.

This exhibit was previosly on display March 7 to April 30, 2015, at the Central Library.

Find A Library

Choose Branch:

Support Your Library

Why support the Library?

The Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest most diverse population of any library in the United States.

Through its Central Library and 72 branches, the Los Angeles Public Library provides free and easy access to information, ideas, books and technology that enrich, educate and empower every individual in our city's diverse communities.

With more people than ever before using the library—a record 17 million last year alone—your support helps the Library provide people with the resources they need to succeed and thrive.

How to support the Library

You can support the Los Angeles Public Library in several ways:

Join a “Friends” group. There is a “Friends of the Library” group for most branch libraries and departments of the Central Library. Friends groups raise money for improvements to their library through memberships, used book sales and other activities. For more information click here or talk to your local librarian.

Join the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. The Library Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds for Library enhancement programs such as adult and early literacy, children and teen reading clubs, technology, and cultural programs. Foundation members receive a variety of benefits with their membership. For more information, see http://www.lfla.org.

Make a donation by check to the Los Angeles Public Library and send it to:
Support the Library, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles CA 90071 or call (213) 228-7272.

Sponsored by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian and the Los Angeles Public Library. An ANCA - Western Region Initiative.