Seventh Annual Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film Awarded to “American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez”
The Library of Congress, The Better Angels Society, Ken Burns and the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation have announced the winner of the seventh annual Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film (Prize for Film): “American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez.” The film, which examines the extraordinary life of renowned playwright and screenwriter Luis Valdez and was directed by David Alvarado, was awarded…
Date:2025-11-24
November 20, 2025
(25-070)
Celebrate the Holidays During Live! At The Library in December
Visitors are invited to ring in the holidays at Live! At the Library’s holiday celebration on Dec. 4. Enjoy festive happy hour food and drinks, winter crafts and live music while enjoying the most beautiful Christmas tree in Washington, D.C.On Dec. 11, Live! At the Library presents poet Arthur Sze in his inaugural reading as the 25th U.S. Poet Laureate at the Library of…
Date:2025-11-20
November 20, 2025
(25-071)
U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze to Launch Laureateship with Inaugural Reading, Translation Programs
U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze will open his tenure in December with a workshop and reading focused on poetry translation at Queens College of the City University of New York, in the borough where he grew up, followed by his inaugural reading at the Library of Congress on Dec. 11 (rescheduled from October) and two poetry translation workshops in Sze’s hometown of Santa Fe,…
Date:2025-11-20
October 2025
October 1, 2025
(25-A05)
Advisory: Federal Government Shutdown
Due to the temporary shutdown of the federal government, all Library buildings are closed, all public events are canceled, and all inquiries and requests to the Library of Congress web-based services will not be received or responded to until the shutdown ends.Also, any inquiries or requests to the Library of Congress web-based services will not be received or responded to until the shutdown ends.…
Date:2025-10-01
September 2025
September 29, 2025
(25-66)
Library of Congress Acquires Historic Photography Collection from Pittsburgh
The Library of Congress has acquired a historical collection of amateur photographic prints from the Photographic Section of the Academy of Science and Art of Pittsburgh, one of the nation’s oldest continuously operating photography clubs.The collection includes approximately 700 prints that were exhibited in the organization’s salons held annually from 1914 through 1980, along with a full run of salon catalogs. While many works…
Date:2025-09-29
September 29, 2025
(25-A04)
Advisory: Possible Federal Government Shutdown
In the event of a temporary shutdown of the federal government effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, all Library of Congress buildings will be CLOSED to the public and researchers.All public events will be cancelled. Also, all inquiries and requests to the Library of Congress web-based services will not be received or responded to until the shutdown ends. Information on loc.gov will not be…
Date:2025-09-29
September 25, 2025
(25-069)
Library of Congress to Host 2025 Congress.gov Public Forum Sept. 30
The Library of Congress invites members of the public to join the 2025 Congress.gov Public Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET.The authoritative source for U.S. federal legislative information, Congress.gov is developed and maintained by the Library of Congress in close partnership with the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Government Publishing Office. Since 2020, the…
Date:2025-09-25
September 25, 2025
(25-064)
Library To Host Monthly Fall and Winter Family Days
The Library of Congress will host monthly Family Days on select Saturdays throughout the fall and winter season, including programming focused on comics, Thanksgiving and harvest festivals, winter holidays, and George Washington’s Birthday.Families and visitors of all ages are invited to participate in collections-based activities for budding researchers and explore exhibitions on display in the Thomas Jefferson Building. Each program includes a creative activity,…
Date:2025-09-25
September 23, 2025
(25-058)
Collection Close-Up Book Celebrates the History of the Library’s Groundbreaking Concert Series
The Library of Congress is publishing a new book celebrating the rich history of its world-renowned Concerts from the Library of Congress series, founded in 1925 by philanthropist Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge. Co-authored by Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres and David H. Plylar of the Library’s Music Division, “Let the People Hear It: Concerts from the Library of Congress at 100” shares the story of this remarkable…
Date:2025-09-23
September 18, 2025
(25-065)
Live! At the Library Presents Kate McKinnon and Poet Laureate Arthur Sze in October
Bestselling author Kate McKinnon, the award-winning actress, comedian and “Saturday Night Live” alum, will appear at Live! At the Library on Oct. 2 for an exciting discussion about her children’s book series "The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science" and its latest entry, "Secrets of the Purple Pearl." On Oct. 9, Live! At the Library presents poet Arthur Sze…
Date:2025-09-18
September 15, 2025
(25-062)
Library of Congress Names Arthur Sze the Nation's 25th U.S. Poet Laureate
The Library of Congress today announced the appointment of Arthur Sze as the nation’s 25th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2025-2026.The winner of the Library’s 2024 Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry, Sze will begin his laureateship with a reading of his work on Thursday, Oct. 9, in the Library’s historic Coolidge Auditorium, and free tickets will be available on loc.gov starting…
Date:2025-09-15
September 11, 2025
(25-063)
Library of Congress Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Tejas Roots Music and Tambuco Percussion Ensemble
The Library of Congress is honoring Hispanic Heritage Month with a performance by acclaimed musician Nick Gaitán and his band playing Tejas Roots Music and a high-profile concert by Mexico’s Grammy-nominated Tambuco Percussion Ensemble. The monthlong celebration from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, established by Congress, honors the culture, history and contributions of the Hispanic community to the nation.This year’s lineup features the rich…
Date:2025-09-11
September 8, 2025
(25-059)
Library of Congress Announces 2025 Literacy Awards
Twenty-four organizations working to expand literacy and promote reading were awarded the 2025 Library of Congress Literacy Awards this morning on International Literacy Day. The Literacy Awards program, sponsored by David M. Rubenstein since 2013, and by the Kislak Family Foundation since 2023, honors promising initiatives that provide exemplary, innovative and replicable strategies that promote literacy.The Library of Congress continues to draw attention to…
Date:2025-09-08
August 2025
August 28, 2025
(25-060)
Library of Congress National Book Festival Teams Up with C-SPAN’s Book TV to Showcase Nonfiction Literary Voices
For the 25th year, C-SPAN’s Book TV will return to the Library of Congress National Book Festival as a media partner to present select events and interview featured non-fiction authors.Partnering with the Library of Congress, Book TV will be live and on-site from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, Sept. 6, bringing the 2025 National Book Festival to a national television audience.As…
Date:2025-08-28
August 27, 2025
(25-057)
Geraldine Brooks to Receive 2025 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction
The Library of Congress has announced that the 2025 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction will be awarded to Geraldine Brooks at the National Book Festival on Sept. 6.One of the Library’s most prestigious awards, the annual Prize for American Fiction honors an American literary writer whose body of work is distinguished by not only its mastery of the art, but also its…
Date:2025-08-27
August 25, 2025
(25-051)
Library of Congress Acquires “Wizard of Oz” Musical Sketches To Add to the Harold Arlen Collection
The Library of Congress has acquired rare music and lyric sketches from composer Harold Arlen and lyricist E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, best known for their collaboration on the score of the iconic film “The Wizard of Oz” in 1939. The film opened in theaters 86 years ago on Aug. 25, 1939, and was inducted into the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 1989. The…
Date:2025-08-25
August 21, 2025
(25-054)
Live! At the Library Features Golden Age of Hollywood Costume Ball in September
Step into the spotlight at the Library of Congress for a dazzling night of vintage glamour, music, dancing and movie magic. The Golden Age of Hollywood Costume Ball invites you on Sept. 18 to celebrate the iconic style and cinematic spirit of the 1920s to the late 1950s.Guests are invited to explore special curated displays of archival treasures of women in the spotlight, highlights…
Date:2025-08-21
August 20, 2025
(25-055)
Library of Congress Opens Award Nominations for Outstanding Federal Libraries, Librarians and Library Technicians
To honor the innovations and successes of federal libraries, librarians and library technicians in meeting the information demands of government, businesses, scholarly communities and the public, the Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK) in the Library of Congress has opened nominations for its 28th annual awards for federal librarianship.For nomination materials, visit the “awards” section of the program’s website or email fliccfno@loc.gov. The nomination…
Date:2025-08-20
August 19, 2025
(25-056)
Library of Congress Reaches Major Milestone in Bringing Collections to Users
The Library of Congress has publicly launched the next phase of its generational effort to replace legacy systems and revolutionize core functions — including cataloging, acquisition and collections access.The Library Collections Access Platform serves as the heart of the Library’s collections discovery, description and management operations. It will ultimately enable users to seamlessly discover and access all collections materials, whether the content is digital…
Date:2025-08-19
August 18, 2025
(25-050)
Library of Congress Announces Fall 2025 Concert Season
Library of Congress Announces Fall 2025 Concert SeasonSeason Includes World Premieres of Library Commissions by Sir George Benjamin, Raven Chacon and Larissa MaestroConcerts from the Library of Congress presents a bold 15-event lineup for the fall 2025 season, wrapping up its successful 18-month centennial celebration with a rich mix of classical, jazz and pop concerts, lectures, conversations and special projects that salute the distinguished…
Date:2025-08-18
August 15, 2025
(25-052)
Fall Tour Dates Announced for National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett
National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett continues his national tour this fall, sharing his passion for picture books with children and adults alike through his initiative “Behold, the Picture Book! Let’s Celebrate Stories We Can Feel, Hear, and See.” Mac will visit Elkhart, Indiana; Greensboro, North Carolina; Hanover, Pennsylvania; and Manvel, Texas.As the ninth national ambassador, Barnett aims to shift adult perceptions…
Date:2025-08-15
August 14, 2025
(25-053)
National Book Festival Offers Free Activities for Readers of All Ages
With free activities for readers and attendees of all ages, the 2025 Library of Congress National Book Festival will continue to unite book lovers on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Washington Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.There is something for everyone at the festival, which offers a variety of author programs on stages and free activities for families. The schedule tool at…
Date:2025-08-14
August 4, 2025
(25-045)
Library of Congress Unveils Major Upgrades to Chronicling America Website
The Library of Congress has launched a significant upgrade to its Chronicling America website, the nation’s leading free resource for historical U.S. newspapers. The updated platform now integrates fully with the Library’s broader loc.gov digital collections, offering enhanced accessibility, modern design and powerful research tools across all devices.The redesigned interface introduces numerous user-focused improvements, including a fully responsive design that ensures seamless use on…
Date:2025-08-04
July 2025
July 30, 2025
(25-048)
Library of Congress Awards 2025–2026 National Stereoscopic Association Research Fellowships
The Library of Congress announced today that it has awarded its 2025–2026 National Stereoscopic Association Research Fellowships to Briand Gentry, David Hanlon, and David Saiz. Each awardee will receive a two-week fellowship to conduct original research in the Library’s Prints and Photographs Division, which houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of stereoscopic and photographic materials.Established in 2022 through a generous donation from…
Date:2025-07-30
July 24, 2025
(25-049)
Get Your Folk Music On During Live! At the Library in August
Experience the magic of folk music brought to life during Live! At the Library in August. On Aug. 14, The Henhouse Prowlers will bring high-energy Bluegrass to the Coolidge Auditorium. Enjoy happy hour drinks and snacks at the Library of Congress before toe-tapping to folk music to end the summer season. On Aug. 21, The Creek Rocks duo will perform a special concert full…
Date:2025-07-24
July 23, 2025
(25-047)
Library Announces 2025 Music Commissions from Koussevitzky Foundation
The Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation in the Library of Congress has awarded commissions for new musical works to eight composers. The commissions are granted jointly by the foundation and the performing organizations that will present the world premiere of each work.Winning composers for 2025 and the groups co-sponsoring their commissions are: Lisa Bielawa and the Louisville Orchestra, Don Byron and the Sutter-McMillen Duo, Klaus…
Date:2025-07-23
July 17, 2025
(25-046)
Library of Congress Partners with Local Libraries in Eastern Oklahoma and Cleveland to Create Digital Experiences
The Library of Congress today announced LOCal, a new multiyear digital initiative, that will expand the Library’s capacity to bring digital collections into local communities through partnerships with public libraries. The Library will partner with two public libraries to co-create interactive digital experiences that connect local community members with relevant materials held in the Library’s collections.LOCal will enable the Library of Congress to collaborate…
Date:2025-07-17
July 8, 2025
(25-044)
More Than 90 Authors to Join the 25th Library of Congress National Book Festival
Uniting book lovers for 25 years, the Library of Congress National Book Festival will return on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Throughout the day, attendees will hear conversations with more than 90 authors whose literary genres range from fiction to nonfiction, picture book to biography, poetry to young adult, and more.Throughout the last quarter century,…
Date:2025-07-08
June 2025
June 26, 2025
(25-042)
Library of Congress Honors National Library Service Network Libraries in Pennsylvania and Michigan
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled at the Library of Congress has recognized two of its cooperating libraries in Pennsylvania and Michigan for their outstanding service to readers with visual, physical or print disabilities.The Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians in Pittsburgh was named the 2025 Regional Library of the Year, and the Kent District Library Talking Book & Braille…
Date:2025-06-26
June 25, 2025
(25-039)
Library of Congress Acquires Manuscripts and Papers of Award-Winning Composer and Lyricist Stephen Sondheim
The Library of Congress has acquired the manuscripts, music and lyric drafts, recordings, notebooks and scrapbooks of legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, widely considered one of the most influential and innovative musical theater songwriters of his generation. Winner of eight Tony Awards, including a special Tony for lifetime achievement, Sondheim was a prolific creator, as evidenced by the works found in this extensive…
Date:2025-06-25
June 24, 2025
(25-043)
U.S. Copyright Office Replaces Online Public Catalog with Copyright Public Records System
The U.S. Copyright Office today announced that the Copyright Public Records System has replaced its Online Public Catalog. The Copyright Public Records System provides copyright registration and recordation data with advanced search capabilities, filters, and improved interfaces for public users and Copyright Office staff. The system is the second component of the Copyright Office’s Enterprise Copyright System to be made publicly available. Since the…
Date:2025-06-24
June 18, 2025
(25-041)
Summer Fun Awaits at Live! At the Library in July
Visitors are invited to a special evening with Kwame Anthony Appiah, the 2024 recipient of the John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity, during Live! At the Library in July. During this engaging event on July 24, attendees will navigate compelling real-world moral and ethical dilemmas and cast their votes based on challenging scenarios.Also during Live! At the Library, visitors…
Date:2025-06-18
June 9, 2025
(25-040)
Updated: Annual Summer Movies on the Lawn to Present National Film Registry Selections
The Library of Congress will host its annual “Summer Movies on the Lawn” series starting July 10. The series featuring films from the Library’s National Film Registry will be presented Thursday evenings at sundown on the southeast lawn of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building. The 2025 summer movies lineup has been updated since it was announced on May 8, due to the availability of…
Date:2025-06-09
May 2025
May 29, 2025
(25-031)
Library of Congress Announces Awards for Federal Library Excellence
The Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK) has announced the winners of its national awards for federal librarianship. These awards celebrate the innovative ways federal libraries, librarians, and library technicians serve with distinction and meet the information demands of the government, business and scholarly communities, and the American public.Federal libraries and staff throughout the United States and abroad competed for the awards. FEDLINK recognizes…
Date:2025-05-29
May 27, 2025
(25-029)
Summer 2025 Family Days at the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress Family Days series on select Saturdays offers an exciting slate of events for June, July and August focused on Juneteenth, library services for blind people, and baseball. Program partners include the Library’s American Folklife Center, the Manuscript Division, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled and the Washington Nationals. Each Family Day includes a creative activity, connections…
Date:2025-05-27
May 23, 2025
(25-036)
Library Welcomes 2025 Junior Fellows to Summer Internship Program
The Library of Congress announced the appointment of 37 undergraduate, graduate students, and recent graduates to its Junior Fellows Program. The2025 cohort will work across the Library to complete 33 mission-driven projects, including: “Veterans History Project Jukebox: Reaching and Teaching New Library Connectors;” “From Stacks to Metaverse: Documenting Digital Odysseys;” “Music and the Arts as Vehicles for History, Civics, and Democracy;” and “Sharing the…
Date:2025-05-23
May 22, 2025
(25-038)
Celebrate Books, Music and Poetry During Live! At the Library in June
Live! At the Library in June will offer a dynamic evening of music, literature and conversation. Visitors on June 5 are invited to begin the night with a compelling talk by I. Augustus Durham who will explore the musical connection between Marvin Gaye and George Gershwin. Later in the evening, join acclaimed novelist Thomas Mallon for a discussion of his newly released book, “The…
Date:2025-05-22
May 20, 2025
(25-A03)
Library Open on Limited Basis Memorial Day
On Monday, May 26, Memorial Day, the Thomas Jefferson Building will be open to visitors with timed-entry tickets from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.All other buildings and reading rooms are CLOSED in observance of the federal holiday, and there will be no research availability or reader registration on this date.Regularly scheduled access resumes on Tuesday, May 27.
Date:2025-05-20
May 8, 2025
(25-030)
Library of Congress Acquires Major Photography and Manuscript Collection Documenting the Chicano Movement
The Library of Congress has acquired the photographs, manuscripts and periodical collection of Raúl Ruiz, a leading figure in the Chicano Movement in Los Angeles beginning in the 1960s. Ruiz (1940-2019) was an activist, journalist, photographer, educator and political candidate who advocated for the rights of Mexican Americans. Ruiz was perhaps best known as the editor of La Raza newspaper and magazine, groundbreaking periodicals…
Date:2025-05-08
May 8, 2025
(25-035)
Annual Summer Movies on the Lawn to Present National Film Registry Selections
The Library of Congress will host its annual “Summer Movies on the Lawn” series starting July 10. The series featuring films from the Library’s National Film Registry will be presented Thursday evenings at sundown on the southeast lawn of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building. The scheduled films include:July 10: “The Princess Bride” (1987) (2016 National Film Registry) July 17: “The Goonies” (1985) (2017 National…
Date:2025-05-08
May 2, 2025
(25-034)
“The Library of Congress,” a History of the Nation’s Library, Publishes with Georgetown University Press
“The Library of Congress: From Jefferson’s Vision to the Digital Age,” publishing May 2, is a new comprehensive history of the nation’s library as the institution turns 225 years old.The Library of Congress is the research arm of Congress, home of the U.S. Copyright Office, and a public forum for artistic and literary culture. It is generally considered the national library of the United…
Date:2025-05-02
April 2025
April 24, 2025
(25-025)
Mac Barnett Embarks on Tour as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature
The Library of Congress, in partnership with Every Child a Reader, announces the launch of National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett’s national tour with a visit to Coronado, California, this spring. He will travel to Elkhart, Indiana; Greensboro, North Carolina; Hanover, Pennsylvania; and Manvel, Texas this fall.During his tour, Barnett will share his passion for picture books and invite children and adults…
Date:2025-04-24
April 24, 2025
(25-032)
Members of the Cast and Creative Team of Broadway’s “Dead Outlaw” Visit Library of Congress May 12
The Library of Congress will welcome members of the creative team and Broadway cast members from the award-winning production of "Dead Outlaw" to the Coolidge Auditorium May 12 for an exclusive performance of selections from the show. Artifacts representing the development of the musical will be donated to the Library’s collection. Special guests at this event include David Yazbek, Erik Della Penna, Itamar Moses,…
Date:2025-04-24
April 17, 2025
(25-028)
James McBride, Aimee Nezhukumatathil and Jlin Join Live! At the Library in May
James McBride, the 2024 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction winner, joins Live! At the Library on May 8 for a special conversation and book signing. Also on May 8, visitors are invited to the Library’s Great Hall at 5 p.m. for a unique musical journey highlighting the intercultural tapestry of Jewish and Islamic traditions. Interweaving songs in Hebrew, Arabic, Spanish and Ladino,…
Date:2025-04-17
April 14, 2025
(25-027)
The Greatest Show On Earth Comes to the Library of Congress
Feld Entertainment, a worldwide leader in live entertainment experiences, has donated a series of historic items to the Library of Congress, ranging from the earliest known photograph of P.T. Barnum’s Circus to a commemorative program featuring the first Black ringmaster. Sourced from the Feld Entertainment Collections – personal archives housed at Feld Entertainment Studios in Florida – these materials reflect more than 150 years…
“The Two Georges,” a Companion Book to the New Library of Congress Exhibition, Explores Lives of George Washington and King George III
“The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution” is the first book to simultaneously explore in depth the lives and contributions of two globally significant figures of the late 18th century: George III (1738–1820), king of Great Britain, and George Washington (1732–1799), first president of the United States. Serving as the official companion publication to the new Library of Congress exhibition, the…
Jefferson Building Access Mar. 25
On Tuesday, Mar. 25, due to a special event, the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building will be closed to visitors. No timed-entry passes will be offered for the day.Researchers may access the Jefferson Building reading rooms as they will be open normal hours of service with regular access. Entry is via the Independence Avenue door of the Madison Building.There is no impact to James Madison…
Date:2025-03-24
March 20, 2025
(25-020)
Circus Arts, Science and Poet Laureate Visit Live! At the Library in April
Visitors are invited on April 10 to celebrate the donation of circus arts materials to the national library as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® circus performers visit the Library of Congress. On April 3, visitors of all ages are invited to join a night of science experiments led by Library’s Preservation experts.Also during Discovery Night, nonfiction writers Carl Zimmer, Mindy Weisberger and Rebecca…
November 24, 2025 (25-072)Seventh Annual Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film Awarded to “American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez” The Library of Congress, The Better Angels Society, Ken Burns and the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation have announced the winner of the seventh annual Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film (Prize for Film): “American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez.” The film, which examines the extraordinary life of renowned playwright and screenwriter Luis Valdez and was directed by David Alvarado, was awarded…
November 20, 2025 (25-070)Celebrate the Holidays During Live! At The Library in December Visitors are invited to ring in the holidays at Live! At the Library’s holiday celebration on Dec. 4. Enjoy festive happy hour food and drinks, winter crafts and live music while enjoying the most beautiful Christmas tree in Washington, D.C.On Dec. 11, Live! At the Library presents poet Arthur Sze in his inaugural reading as the 25th U.S. Poet Laureate at the Library of…
November 20, 2025 (25-071)U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze to Launch Laureateship with Inaugural Reading, Translation Programs U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze will open his tenure in December with a workshop and reading focused on poetry translation at Queens College of the City University of New York, in the borough where he grew up, followed by his inaugural reading at the Library of Congress on Dec. 11 (rescheduled from October) and two poetry translation workshops in Sze’s hometown of Santa Fe,…
September 29, 2025 (25-66)Library of Congress Acquires Historic Photography Collection from Pittsburgh The Library of Congress has acquired a historical collection of amateur photographic prints from the Photographic Section of the Academy of Science and Art of Pittsburgh, one of the nation’s oldest continuously operating photography clubs.The collection includes approximately 700 prints that were exhibited in the organization’s salons held annually from 1914 through 1980, along with a full run of salon catalogs. While many works…
September 29, 2025 (25-A04)Advisory: Possible Federal Government Shutdown In the event of a temporary shutdown of the federal government effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, all Library of Congress buildings will be CLOSED to the public and researchers.All public events will be cancelled. Also, all inquiries and requests to the Library of Congress web-based services will not be received or responded to until the shutdown ends. Information on loc.gov will not be…
September 25, 2025 (25-069)Library of Congress to Host 2025 Congress.gov Public Forum Sept. 30 The Library of Congress invites members of the public to join the 2025 Congress.gov Public Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET.The authoritative source for U.S. federal legislative information, Congress.gov is developed and maintained by the Library of Congress in close partnership with the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Government Publishing Office. Since 2020, the…
September 25, 2025 (25-064)Library To Host Monthly Fall and Winter Family Days The Library of Congress will host monthly Family Days on select Saturdays throughout the fall and winter season, including programming focused on comics, Thanksgiving and harvest festivals, winter holidays, and George Washington’s Birthday.Families and visitors of all ages are invited to participate in collections-based activities for budding researchers and explore exhibitions on display in the Thomas Jefferson Building. Each program includes a creative activity,…
September 23, 2025 (25-058)Collection Close-Up Book Celebrates the History of the Library’s Groundbreaking Concert Series The Library of Congress is publishing a new book celebrating the rich history of its world-renowned Concerts from the Library of Congress series, founded in 1925 by philanthropist Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge. Co-authored by Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres and David H. Plylar of the Library’s Music Division, “Let the People Hear It: Concerts from the Library of Congress at 100” shares the story of this remarkable…
September 18, 2025 (25-065)Live! At the Library Presents Kate McKinnon and Poet Laureate Arthur Sze in October Bestselling author Kate McKinnon, the award-winning actress, comedian and “Saturday Night Live” alum, will appear at Live! At the Library on Oct. 2 for an exciting discussion about her children’s book series "The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science" and its latest entry, "Secrets of the Purple Pearl." On Oct. 9, Live! At the Library presents poet Arthur Sze…
September 15, 2025 (25-062)Library of Congress Names Arthur Sze the Nation's 25th U.S. Poet Laureate The Library of Congress today announced the appointment of Arthur Sze as the nation’s 25th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2025-2026.The winner of the Library’s 2024 Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry, Sze will begin his laureateship with a reading of his work on Thursday, Oct. 9, in the Library’s historic Coolidge Auditorium, and free tickets will be available on loc.gov starting…
September 11, 2025 (25-063)Library of Congress Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Tejas Roots Music and Tambuco Percussion Ensemble The Library of Congress is honoring Hispanic Heritage Month with a performance by acclaimed musician Nick Gaitán and his band playing Tejas Roots Music and a high-profile concert by Mexico’s Grammy-nominated Tambuco Percussion Ensemble. The monthlong celebration from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, established by Congress, honors the culture, history and contributions of the Hispanic community to the nation.This year’s lineup features the rich…
September 8, 2025 (25-059)Library of Congress Announces 2025 Literacy Awards Twenty-four organizations working to expand literacy and promote reading were awarded the 2025 Library of Congress Literacy Awards this morning on International Literacy Day. The Literacy Awards program, sponsored by David M. Rubenstein since 2013, and by the Kislak Family Foundation since 2023, honors promising initiatives that provide exemplary, innovative and replicable strategies that promote literacy.The Library of Congress continues to draw attention to…
August 28, 2025 (25-060)Library of Congress National Book Festival Teams Up with C-SPAN’s Book TV to Showcase Nonfiction Literary Voices For the 25th year, C-SPAN’s Book TV will return to the Library of Congress National Book Festival as a media partner to present select events and interview featured non-fiction authors.Partnering with the Library of Congress, Book TV will be live and on-site from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, Sept. 6, bringing the 2025 National Book Festival to a national television audience.As…
August 27, 2025 (25-057)Geraldine Brooks to Receive 2025 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction The Library of Congress has announced that the 2025 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction will be awarded to Geraldine Brooks at the National Book Festival on Sept. 6.One of the Library’s most prestigious awards, the annual Prize for American Fiction honors an American literary writer whose body of work is distinguished by not only its mastery of the art, but also its…
August 25, 2025 (25-051)Library of Congress Acquires “Wizard of Oz” Musical Sketches To Add to the Harold Arlen Collection The Library of Congress has acquired rare music and lyric sketches from composer Harold Arlen and lyricist E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, best known for their collaboration on the score of the iconic film “The Wizard of Oz” in 1939. The film opened in theaters 86 years ago on Aug. 25, 1939, and was inducted into the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 1989. The…
August 21, 2025 (25-054)Live! At the Library Features Golden Age of Hollywood Costume Ball in September Step into the spotlight at the Library of Congress for a dazzling night of vintage glamour, music, dancing and movie magic. The Golden Age of Hollywood Costume Ball invites you on Sept. 18 to celebrate the iconic style and cinematic spirit of the 1920s to the late 1950s.Guests are invited to explore special curated displays of archival treasures of women in the spotlight, highlights…
August 20, 2025 (25-055)Library of Congress Opens Award Nominations for Outstanding Federal Libraries, Librarians and Library Technicians To honor the innovations and successes of federal libraries, librarians and library technicians in meeting the information demands of government, businesses, scholarly communities and the public, the Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK) in the Library of Congress has opened nominations for its 28th annual awards for federal librarianship.For nomination materials, visit the “awards” section of the program’s website or email fliccfno@loc.gov. The nomination…
August 19, 2025 (25-056)Library of Congress Reaches Major Milestone in Bringing Collections to Users The Library of Congress has publicly launched the next phase of its generational effort to replace legacy systems and revolutionize core functions — including cataloging, acquisition and collections access.The Library Collections Access Platform serves as the heart of the Library’s collections discovery, description and management operations. It will ultimately enable users to seamlessly discover and access all collections materials, whether the content is digital…
August 18, 2025 (25-050)Library of Congress Announces Fall 2025 Concert Season Library of Congress Announces Fall 2025 Concert SeasonSeason Includes World Premieres of Library Commissions by Sir George Benjamin, Raven Chacon and Larissa MaestroConcerts from the Library of Congress presents a bold 15-event lineup for the fall 2025 season, wrapping up its successful 18-month centennial celebration with a rich mix of classical, jazz and pop concerts, lectures, conversations and special projects that salute the distinguished…
August 15, 2025 (25-052)Fall Tour Dates Announced for National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett continues his national tour this fall, sharing his passion for picture books with children and adults alike through his initiative “Behold, the Picture Book! Let’s Celebrate Stories We Can Feel, Hear, and See.” Mac will visit Elkhart, Indiana; Greensboro, North Carolina; Hanover, Pennsylvania; and Manvel, Texas.As the ninth national ambassador, Barnett aims to shift adult perceptions…
August 14, 2025 (25-053)National Book Festival Offers Free Activities for Readers of All Ages With free activities for readers and attendees of all ages, the 2025 Library of Congress National Book Festival will continue to unite book lovers on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Washington Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.There is something for everyone at the festival, which offers a variety of author programs on stages and free activities for families. The schedule tool at…
August 4, 2025 (25-045)Library of Congress Unveils Major Upgrades to Chronicling America Website The Library of Congress has launched a significant upgrade to its Chronicling America website, the nation’s leading free resource for historical U.S. newspapers. The updated platform now integrates fully with the Library’s broader loc.gov digital collections, offering enhanced accessibility, modern design and powerful research tools across all devices.The redesigned interface introduces numerous user-focused improvements, including a fully responsive design that ensures seamless use on…
July 30, 2025 (25-048)Library of Congress Awards 2025–2026 National Stereoscopic Association Research Fellowships The Library of Congress announced today that it has awarded its 2025–2026 National Stereoscopic Association Research Fellowships to Briand Gentry, David Hanlon, and David Saiz. Each awardee will receive a two-week fellowship to conduct original research in the Library’s Prints and Photographs Division, which houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of stereoscopic and photographic materials.Established in 2022 through a generous donation from…
July 24, 2025 (25-049)Get Your Folk Music On During Live! At the Library in August Experience the magic of folk music brought to life during Live! At the Library in August. On Aug. 14, The Henhouse Prowlers will bring high-energy Bluegrass to the Coolidge Auditorium. Enjoy happy hour drinks and snacks at the Library of Congress before toe-tapping to folk music to end the summer season. On Aug. 21, The Creek Rocks duo will perform a special concert full…
July 23, 2025 (25-047)Library Announces 2025 Music Commissions from Koussevitzky Foundation The Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation in the Library of Congress has awarded commissions for new musical works to eight composers. The commissions are granted jointly by the foundation and the performing organizations that will present the world premiere of each work.Winning composers for 2025 and the groups co-sponsoring their commissions are: Lisa Bielawa and the Louisville Orchestra, Don Byron and the Sutter-McMillen Duo, Klaus…
July 17, 2025 (25-046)Library of Congress Partners with Local Libraries in Eastern Oklahoma and Cleveland to Create Digital Experiences The Library of Congress today announced LOCal, a new multiyear digital initiative, that will expand the Library’s capacity to bring digital collections into local communities through partnerships with public libraries. The Library will partner with two public libraries to co-create interactive digital experiences that connect local community members with relevant materials held in the Library’s collections.LOCal will enable the Library of Congress to collaborate…
July 8, 2025 (25-044)More Than 90 Authors to Join the 25th Library of Congress National Book Festival Uniting book lovers for 25 years, the Library of Congress National Book Festival will return on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Throughout the day, attendees will hear conversations with more than 90 authors whose literary genres range from fiction to nonfiction, picture book to biography, poetry to young adult, and more.Throughout the last quarter century,…
June 26, 2025 (25-042)Library of Congress Honors National Library Service Network Libraries in Pennsylvania and Michigan The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled at the Library of Congress has recognized two of its cooperating libraries in Pennsylvania and Michigan for their outstanding service to readers with visual, physical or print disabilities.The Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians in Pittsburgh was named the 2025 Regional Library of the Year, and the Kent District Library Talking Book & Braille…
June 25, 2025 (25-039)Library of Congress Acquires Manuscripts and Papers of Award-Winning Composer and Lyricist Stephen Sondheim The Library of Congress has acquired the manuscripts, music and lyric drafts, recordings, notebooks and scrapbooks of legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, widely considered one of the most influential and innovative musical theater songwriters of his generation. Winner of eight Tony Awards, including a special Tony for lifetime achievement, Sondheim was a prolific creator, as evidenced by the works found in this extensive…
June 24, 2025 (25-043)U.S. Copyright Office Replaces Online Public Catalog with Copyright Public Records System The U.S. Copyright Office today announced that the Copyright Public Records System has replaced its Online Public Catalog. The Copyright Public Records System provides copyright registration and recordation data with advanced search capabilities, filters, and improved interfaces for public users and Copyright Office staff. The system is the second component of the Copyright Office’s Enterprise Copyright System to be made publicly available. Since the…
June 18, 2025 (25-041)Summer Fun Awaits at Live! At the Library in July Visitors are invited to a special evening with Kwame Anthony Appiah, the 2024 recipient of the John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity, during Live! At the Library in July. During this engaging event on July 24, attendees will navigate compelling real-world moral and ethical dilemmas and cast their votes based on challenging scenarios.Also during Live! At the Library, visitors…
May 27, 2025 (25-029)Summer 2025 Family Days at the Library of Congress The Library of Congress Family Days series on select Saturdays offers an exciting slate of events for June, July and August focused on Juneteenth, library services for blind people, and baseball. Program partners include the Library’s American Folklife Center, the Manuscript Division, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled and the Washington Nationals. Each Family Day includes a creative activity, connections…
May 23, 2025 (25-036)Library Welcomes 2025 Junior Fellows to Summer Internship Program The Library of Congress announced the appointment of 37 undergraduate, graduate students, and recent graduates to its Junior Fellows Program. The2025 cohort will work across the Library to complete 33 mission-driven projects, including: “Veterans History Project Jukebox: Reaching and Teaching New Library Connectors;” “From Stacks to Metaverse: Documenting Digital Odysseys;” “Music and the Arts as Vehicles for History, Civics, and Democracy;” and “Sharing the…
May 22, 2025 (25-038)Celebrate Books, Music and Poetry During Live! At the Library in June Live! At the Library in June will offer a dynamic evening of music, literature and conversation. Visitors on June 5 are invited to begin the night with a compelling talk by I. Augustus Durham who will explore the musical connection between Marvin Gaye and George Gershwin. Later in the evening, join acclaimed novelist Thomas Mallon for a discussion of his newly released book, “The…
May 20, 2025 (25-A03)Library Open on Limited Basis Memorial Day On Monday, May 26, Memorial Day, the Thomas Jefferson Building will be open to visitors with timed-entry tickets from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.All other buildings and reading rooms are CLOSED in observance of the federal holiday, and there will be no research availability or reader registration on this date.Regularly scheduled access resumes on Tuesday, May 27.
May 8, 2025 (25-030)Library of Congress Acquires Major Photography and Manuscript Collection Documenting the Chicano Movement The Library of Congress has acquired the photographs, manuscripts and periodical collection of Raúl Ruiz, a leading figure in the Chicano Movement in Los Angeles beginning in the 1960s. Ruiz (1940-2019) was an activist, journalist, photographer, educator and political candidate who advocated for the rights of Mexican Americans. Ruiz was perhaps best known as the editor of La Raza newspaper and magazine, groundbreaking periodicals…
May 8, 2025 (25-035)Annual Summer Movies on the Lawn to Present National Film Registry Selections The Library of Congress will host its annual “Summer Movies on the Lawn” series starting July 10. The series featuring films from the Library’s National Film Registry will be presented Thursday evenings at sundown on the southeast lawn of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building. The scheduled films include:July 10: “The Princess Bride” (1987) (2016 National Film Registry) July 17: “The Goonies” (1985) (2017 National…
May 2, 2025 (25-034)“The Library of Congress,” a History of the Nation’s Library, Publishes with Georgetown University Press “The Library of Congress: From Jefferson’s Vision to the Digital Age,” publishing May 2, is a new comprehensive history of the nation’s library as the institution turns 225 years old.The Library of Congress is the research arm of Congress, home of the U.S. Copyright Office, and a public forum for artistic and literary culture. It is generally considered the national library of the United…
April 24, 2025 (25-025)Mac Barnett Embarks on Tour as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature The Library of Congress, in partnership with Every Child a Reader, announces the launch of National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett’s national tour with a visit to Coronado, California, this spring. He will travel to Elkhart, Indiana; Greensboro, North Carolina; Hanover, Pennsylvania; and Manvel, Texas this fall.During his tour, Barnett will share his passion for picture books and invite children and adults…
April 24, 2025 (25-032)Members of the Cast and Creative Team of Broadway’s “Dead Outlaw” Visit Library of Congress May 12 The Library of Congress will welcome members of the creative team and Broadway cast members from the award-winning production of "Dead Outlaw" to the Coolidge Auditorium May 12 for an exclusive performance of selections from the show. Artifacts representing the development of the musical will be donated to the Library’s collection. Special guests at this event include David Yazbek, Erik Della Penna, Itamar Moses,…
April 17, 2025 (25-028)James McBride, Aimee Nezhukumatathil and Jlin Join Live! At the Library in May James McBride, the 2024 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction winner, joins Live! At the Library on May 8 for a special conversation and book signing. Also on May 8, visitors are invited to the Library’s Great Hall at 5 p.m. for a unique musical journey highlighting the intercultural tapestry of Jewish and Islamic traditions. Interweaving songs in Hebrew, Arabic, Spanish and Ladino,…
April 14, 2025 (25-027)The Greatest Show On Earth Comes to the Library of Congress Feld Entertainment, a worldwide leader in live entertainment experiences, has donated a series of historic items to the Library of Congress, ranging from the earliest known photograph of P.T. Barnum’s Circus to a commemorative program featuring the first Black ringmaster. Sourced from the Feld Entertainment Collections – personal archives housed at Feld Entertainment Studios in Florida – these materials reflect more than 150 years…
April 9, 2025 (25-024)National Recording Registry Inducts Sounds of Elton John, Chicago, Broadway’s ‘Hamilton,’ Mary J. Blige, Amy Winehouse, Minecraft and Microsoft Elton John’s monumental album “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” Chicago’s debut “Chicago Transit Authority,” the original cast recording of Broadway’s “Hamilton,” Mary J. Blige’s “My Life,” Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black,” Microsoft’s reboot chime, and the soundtrack to the Minecraft video game phenomenon have been selected as some of the defining sounds of history and culture that will join the National Recording Registry of the…
March 26, 2025 (25-021)“The Two Georges,” a Companion Book to the New Library of Congress Exhibition, Explores Lives of George Washington and King George III “The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution” is the first book to simultaneously explore in depth the lives and contributions of two globally significant figures of the late 18th century: George III (1738–1820), king of Great Britain, and George Washington (1732–1799), first president of the United States. Serving as the official companion publication to the new Library of Congress exhibition, the…
March 26, 2025 (25-022)“The Two Georges,” a New Exhibition Opening at Library of Congress, Will Reveal George Washington and King George III in Their Own Words Our understanding of George Washington and King George III of Britain is clouded by myths that have accumulated over centuries. A new exhibition opening March 28 at the Library of Congress seeks to reveal the real men behind the myths. While George III and Washington never met during their lifetimes, “The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution” brings them together for…
March 20, 2025 (25-020)Circus Arts, Science and Poet Laureate Visit Live! At the Library in April Visitors are invited on April 10 to celebrate the donation of circus arts materials to the national library as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® circus performers visit the Library of Congress. On April 3, visitors of all ages are invited to join a night of science experiments led by Library’s Preservation experts.Also during Discovery Night, nonfiction writers Carl Zimmer, Mindy Weisberger and Rebecca…