History buffs may want to visit Tacoma Public Library’s main branch to view a collection of World War I U.S. propaganda posters on display through most of April.

According to library officials, the U.S. government, as well as other nations participating in the war effort, produced thousands of posters urging citizens to buy war bonds, ration food, grow victory gardens, limit travel, and avoid “loose talk.” The posters were not only means of justifying involvement to their own populace, but also as a tool to procure men, money, and resources to sustain the military campaign.

Tacoma Public Library’s collection was assembled under John B. Kaiser, who served as library Director from March 1914 to January 1924. Kaiser was very involved in the community and in the war effort. He actively collected the posters when they were first issued, along with propaganda pamphlets and other ephemera.

The exhibit is on display through Sat., April 26, at Tacoma Public Library’s Handforth Gallery, located at 1102 Tacoma Ave. S. Exhibition curator Robert Schuler will discuss the exhibit on Sat., April 5, at 1 p.m. More information is available online here and here.