9/11 20th Anniversary

This week marks the 20th anniversary of a monumental event in American history: the September 11 terrorist attacks of 2001. Many of you are too young to remember that sunny but tragic Tuesday morning, or perhaps you were not even born yet. For those of us who were around, the day left an indelible mark. We all remember where we were and what we were doing as the events unfolded. Some have family members who were affected. Others who were first responders or who were lucky enough to escape from the Twin Towers and the Pentagon suffer from lingering health effects, both physical and psychological. The attacks also influenced our national security and foreign policy for years afterward as indicated by our recent withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Whether the events of 9/11 are seared into your memory or predate it, we invite you to explore my 9/11 Library Guide in order to learn more about this important and historic event. Find the guide by clicking on Library Guides under Quick Links on the Library's home page. Then select "9/11" under Special Topics.

In the guide, you will find websites, useful articles, books, eBooks, and videos on the topic. Find much material that is geared toward the needs of Harcum students and faculty, emphasizing narratives of the event as well as its various health implications. At the top of the Websites and Databases page, there is a link to a Smithsonian article entitled, "Twenty Years After 9/11," in which people recall the day when loved ones, friends and colleagues perished in the terrorist attacks. Highlighted websites include the September 11 Digital Archive, the Smithsonian 9/11 Collection, and Voices Center for Resilience, an organization providing long-term support and resources that promote mental health care and wellness for 9/11 victims’ families, responders, and survivors. Under the Websites & Databases tab, you will also see several links to 9/11 teaching materials and lesson plans.

Along the Slatwall just inside the Library entrance, we have created a 9/11 20th Anniversary book display featuring all nine books listed in the Books tab of the Library Guide. Everyone is welcome to come in and check out any of the books in the display. I would particularly recommend the three narratives listed in the guide as well as the following book: