Preservation News - Recent Updates

News from the Library of Congress

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 11:00:52 -0600

News from the Library of Congress

Friends of the Library of Congress, Materials from the Musical ‘Hadestown’ and More

Be A Friend + Vote for the 2024 Friends Choice Awards!

What does a preservation makeover really look like? How does supporting librarians serving the blind and print disabled worldwide build accessible collections? Where do you begin celebrating Africana food and foodways? Help us find out! Be a friend and Vote for your choice in the 2024 Friends’ Choice Awards.

The Friends' Choice Award recognizes the project donors most want to fund. You get to decide! If you're already a Friend of the Library - check your email for the voting link. If you are not a Friend - join today! Memberships begin at $50 annually. Learn more about the proposals and vote for the one you want to see come to life.

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Materials from the Musical ‘Hadestown’ Added to Library of Congress Collections

The Library of Congress has added rare materials from the development of the Tony Award-winning musical “Hadestown” to its collections, thanks to a donation from the show’s Tony Award-winning creator, singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell.

Learn more.

Library Announces 2023 Music Commissions from Koussevitzky Foundation

The Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation in the Library of Congress has awarded commissions for new musical works to six composers. The commissions are granted jointly by the foundation and the performing organizations that will present the world premiere of each work.

Learn more.

George Chauncey, Historian of LGBTQ+ Life and Kluge Prize Recipient, Releases New Video Series “Through History to Equality”

George Chauncey, recipient of the 2022 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity, released three videos today with the Library of Congress examining the experiences of LGBTQ+ Americans. These are now available to watch on loc.gov and the Library’s YouTube channel.

Learn more.

The Wright Brothers History Takes Wing at the Library

At 10:35 on the morning of Dec. 17, 1903, on a remote sand dune in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, mankind flew for the first time. Orville Wright piloted a homemade airplane powered by a homemade engine for a few wobbly seconds while his brother and co-creator Wilbur ran alongside the right wingtip. “Success four flights thursday morning” Orville telegraphed their father back home in Dayton, Ohio. The world would never be the same. Humans flew to the moon 65 years later.

CORRECTION: Library of Congress Event: Inks and Skins

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 09:24:20 -0500

Apologies for the mistakes in last week’s announcement, the registration links have been corrected.

Topics in Preservation Series (TOPS): Inks and Skins

The manuscripts created from calfskin by secular scholars in Ireland prior to 1600 contain vernacular traditions that are extraordinary witnesses to Gaelic civilization and learning on the western limit of the known world. As artefacts of that civilization, the manuscripts themselves, their creation and survival, have their own tales to tell.

One current project, Inks and Skins, seeks to unearth that narrative by focusing on how and by whom these handmade books were created. It is led by Prof. Pádraig Ó Macháin, Professor of Modern Irish in University College Cork. In 2019 Prof. Ó Macháin was the recipient of an Irish Research Council Advanced Laureate Award, which funds the project. The research has involved a combination of enhanced visual analysis, multi-spectral imaging, and X-Ray Fluorescence scanning, together with a range of complementary spectroscopies and techniques. The object has been to understand the writing supports and the composition of inks and pigments used by the secular scholars who created Gaelic vellum hand-written books in the period 1100-1600. Manuscripts before and after the medieval period are studied for comparative and contextual purposes, as are other manuscripts of the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Early in the project a fruitful collaboration was established with the Library of Congress, where staff of the Library’s Preservation, Research and Testing Division, led by Dr Fenella France, provided their skill and expertise in the analysis of the manuscripts. Speakers will address the history of the Irish manuscripts, complementary research projects in which they are involved, and the results of the analytical techniques involved in the research.

Come join us for a series of lectures on this project September 13, from 10am to 4pm. Register to attend in person at the James Madison Building 101 Independence Ave SE, Washington DC

Mumford Room – 6^th Floor

Or you can join us through Zoom.

Please request ADA accommodations at least five business days in advance by contacting (202) 707-6362 or ada@loc.gov.

Library of Congress Event: Inks and Skins

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 14:02:14 -0500

Come join us for a series of lectures on this project September 13 from 10am to 4pm. This event will take place in person at the Library of Congress or you can join us virtually.

Onsite location at James Madison Building 101 Independence Ave SE, Washington DC

Mumford Room – 6^th Floor

Please request ADA accommodations at least five business days in advance by contacting (202) 707-6362 or ada@loc.gov.

July News from the Library of Congress

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:00:45 -0500

News from the Library of Congress

National Book Festival, Live! at the Library, Ken Burns Prize for Film and More

2023 National Book Festival August 12

Join us in the nation’s capital at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, August 12, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (doors open at 8:30 a.m.). If you can't join us in Washington, D.C. for a day of free talks and activities, several programs will be livestreamed, and video of all talks can be viewed online after the Festival concludes.

Learn more.

Enjoy Movies on the Lawn, Café Concerts During Live at the Library in August

Enjoy summer movies and music on the lawn this August during Live at the Library. On Aug. 3, take a bachata class from Julissa Cruz of the Latin Vintage Dance Company before a screening of “Mary Poppins.” Plus, join the Library of Congress for screenings in the historic Coolidge Auditorium later in the month, and enjoy café concerts in the Great Hall starting Aug. 17.

Learn more.

In Memoriam: Tony Bennett

Among the great joys of our work in the Music Division of the Library of Congress are the occasions when distinguished creators from the world of the performing arts visit us and have the opportunity to examine first-hand the original manuscripts that document the creativity of previous generations. Such was the case in June 2018 when Tony Bennett visited the Library.

Doodles, Puzzles, Peek-A-Boo, and a Dutch Book of Hours

Many of us have a distinctive doodle. We can recognize our former school notebooks from the familiar designs that repeat in various combinations on the corners of pages. Some of these drawn figures may still inadvertently appear on a memo pad when we find ourselves on a lengthy telephone call. The connotation of the word “doodle” implies that the penwork lacks intentionality, and therefore fifteenth-century scribes in the Northern Netherlands cannot be said to have “doodled” in the borders of their manuscripts. Nevertheless, the effect of their labors on paper and parchment is remarkably similar to some of our finer memo pad masterpieces.

Learn more.

George Saunders to Receive 2023 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction

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 not only for its mastery of the art but also for its originality of thought and imagination. The award seeks to commend strong, unique, enduring voices that — throughout consistently accomplished careers — have told us something essential about the American experience.

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The Better Angels Society Announces Finalists for Fifth Annual Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize For Film

The Better Angels Society, the Library of Congress, and the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation announced the six finalists for the fifth annual Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film. The award, which was established in 2019, recognizes late-stage documentaries that use original research and compelling narrative to tell stories that bring American history to life through archival materials.

Learn more.

Library of Congress Launches Video Game Challenge for Civic Engagement

The Library is calling on video game developers to create fun and lightweight video games related to civics that incorporate Library resources. This challenge is part of an effort to improve public knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of American citizens. Winning video game entries, to be announced early next year, will receive $35,000 in cash prizes.

Learn more.

Library of Congress Symposium: Assessing the Physical Condition of the National Book Collection

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 10:46:11 -0500

This event will take place at the Library of Congress on August 8, sessions will take place from 10 am – 12 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm. You can register to attend in person or you can register to watch the sessions virtually.

"Assessing the Physical Condition of the National Book Collection"

For the last five years Assessing the Physical Condition of the National Collection (ANC) Mellon-funded project has collected data on the physical, chemical, and optical characteristics of books from five research libraries in distinct climate regions from across the United States. The selection of over 2500 books is comprised of 500 “identical” titles from the time period 1840-1940 when more acidic paper production processes began.

This research study was intended for developing a national plan to ensure that books retained and preserved in shared print programs have the best physical properties for long-term preservation. Speakers will address the methodology of the research approach for such a complex data set; the infrastructure and platform needed for extracting active usable data and meeting FAIR data principles; using non-invasive techniques for determining and predicting paper pulp types; chemometric and data modeling; and the potential for simple portable tools. The event will end with a discussion on how the research results compare to long accepted assumptions in the field.

All webinars are recorded and posted on our website; this process usually takes more than a month. You can find information on our past TOPS events here.

Please request ADA accommodations at least five business days in advance by contacting (202) 707-6362 or ada@loc.gov

June News from the Library of Congress

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 09:00:32 -0500

News from the Library of Congress

Book Festival Author Lineup, Papers of Composer John Adams, Poet Laureate’s Poem for NASA’s Europa Clipper and More

National Book Festival Announces Full Author Lineup

The 2023 Library of Congress National Book Festival returns to the Washington Convention Center on Saturday, Aug. 12. The festival’s theme, “Everyone Has a Story,” celebrates the storyteller in us all.

Attendees will hear conversations that reflect their lived experiences and stories, with presentations for every type of reader. Memoirs will be featured on several stages, including actor Elliot Page’s “Pageboy” and R.K. Russell’s “The Yards Between Us: A Memoir of Life, Love and Football.” NPR journalists Mary Louise Kelly and Ari Shapiro tell the stories of their lives and careers in their new books. Uyghur poet Tahir Hamut Izgil discusses his homeland and the persecution of Muslim minorities in western China.

Learn more.

Library Acquires Music Manuscripts and Papers of Composer John Adams

The Library of Congress has acquired the music manuscripts and papers of contemporary American composer, conductor and writer John Adams. Adams is known for works including the opera “Nixon in China” and concert pieces such as “Shaker Loops,” “Harmonielehre,” “Road Movies,” “Chamber Symphony” and “Short Ride in a Fast Machine.”

Learn more.

U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón Reveals Poem to Fly on NASA’s Europa Clipper

U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón revealed a new poem that will fly into space aboard NASA’s Europa Clipper mission on a yearslong journey to explore Jupiter’s icy moon Europa. The poem, first shared publicly during a special reading at the Library of Congress, will be engraved on the spacecraft set to launch in October 2024.

Learn more.

Annual Summer Movies on the Lawn to Present National Film Registry Selections

The Library will host its annual “Summer Movies on the Lawn” series starting July 6. 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. Music will be presented prior to each film, with live performances on July 6, July 20 and Aug. 3.

Learn more.

Paid Research Fellowships at the John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress

Applications are now open with a deadline of September 15, 2023, for multiple fellowship positions at the John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

The Kluge Center exists to further the study of humanity through the use of the large and varied collections of the Library of Congress. All fields and disciplines within the social sciences and the humanities, including interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research, are welcome. Fellows hold book borrowing privileges and are in residence with desk space in the historic Thomas Jefferson Building with access to specialized librarians throughout the Library. Applicants may be US citizens or foreign nationals, and foreign nationals will be assisted in obtaining necessary visas.

Learn more.

Library of Congress Launches Video Game Challenge for Civic Engagement

Learn more.

May News from the Library of Congress

Wed, 24 May 2023 12:35:16 -0500

News from the Library of Congress

Ada Limón to Reveal Poem for NASA Europa, Film Festival Lineup of of Rare Cinema and Special Guests Released, Library Awards More than $200,000 to Five Projects Highlighting Uses of Digital Collections and More

Ada Limón to Reveal Poem for NASA Europa Clipper Mission During Live at the Library in June

During Live at the Library in June, U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón — recently reappointed for a historic two-year term — will unveil her original poem written for the NASA Europa Clipper mission. Plus, celebrations for the Juneteenth holiday will honor African American folk music and photography. Celebrate Pride with a concert saluting Billy Strayhorn on June 8, and view a display of LGBTQ+ collection items in the Great Hall.

Learn more.

Connecting Communities Digital Initiative Announces Next Round of Award Opportunities for Libraries, Archives, Museums, Higher Education and Artists/Scholars in Residence

Individuals and educational and cultural institutions who seek to imaginatively remix and reuse the Library of Congress’ digital collections and create projects centering one or more of the following groups, Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander and/or other communities of color — are invited to apply to award opportunities through the Connecting Communities Digital Initiative.

Learn more.

Library of Congress Festival of Film and Sound Announces Full Lineup of Rare Cinema and Special Guests

The Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center is announcing the full lineup of rare cinema and special guests to be featured at the inaugural Library of Congress Festival of Film and Sound. The new four-day film festival will be held June 15-18 in association with the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center at the American Film Institute’s beautifully restored 1938 art deco theater in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Learn more.

Library Awards More than $200,000 to Five Projects Highlighting Uses of Digital Collections

The Library of Congress announced that five awards, totaling more than $200,000, have been awarded from the Connecting Communities Digital Initiative through a program available to Libraries, Archives, Museums and Higher Education institutions. The 2023 awardees will use these funds to create projects that offer creative approaches to the Library’s digital collections and center Black, Indigenous, and Latino or Hispanic studies.

Learn more.

Library Completes Digitization of Yongle Encyclopedia, Largest Reference Work of Pre-Modern Era

The Library of Congress has completed a yearslong effort to digitize the Yongle Encyclopedia (Yongle dadian 永樂大典), the largest reference work created in pre-modern China, and possibly the world. Digital publication of the 41 volumes held in the Library’s collections provides open access to one of the most extensive attempts in world history to capture the entirety of human knowledge in book form.

Learn more.

April News from the Library of Congress

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 11:45:21 -0500

News from the Library of Congress

2023 National Recording Registry, U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón Appointed for a Historic Two-Year Second Term, Main Reading Room Opening and More

National Recording Registry Inducts Music from Madonna, Mariah Carey, Queen Latifah, Daddy Yankee

Madonna’s cultural ascent with “Like a Virgin,” Mariah Carey’s perennial No. 1 Christmas hit, Queen Latifah’s groundbreaking “All Hail the Queen” and Daddy Yankee’s reggaeton explosion with “Gasolina” are some of the defining sounds of the nation’s history and culture that will now join the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. The 2023 class also includes the first sounds of a video game to join the registry with the Super Mario Bros. theme, powerful voices of women, important inductions of Latin music, and classic sounds of rock and pop from the 1960s to the ‘80s.

Learn more.

U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón Appointed for a Historic Two-Year Second Term

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden has appointed Ada Limón to serve a two-year second term as the nation’s 24^th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry.

The act of Congress establishing the poet laureate position states that the Librarian may appoint a laureate “for one- or two-year terms.” This is the first time a laureate will serve the longer option. Limón’s second term will begin in September 2023 and conclude in April 2025.

Learn more.

Honor Vietnam Veterans, Celebrate Jewish-American Heritage Month and More During Live at the Library in May

Honor Vietnam War veterans during Live at the Library in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam War Memorial on May 11. Cultural events in May also will celebrate Yiddish history in the United States and the history of recipes and cookbooks in America.

Learn more.

Library Welcomes Visitors to Main Reading Room

The Library welcomes visitors to experience its grand Main Reading Room in the Thomas Jefferson Building. The floor of the Main Reading Room is now open for visitors to view from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays. Usually reserved for researchers, this access will offer visitors a chance to walk inside and see one of Washington’s most beautiful spaces. This opportunity is limited by capacity and available on a first come, first served basis for visitors.

Learn more.

Webinar to Present Advances in Microbiome Research

The Health Services Division and Science, Technology and Business Division will host a webinar on Thursday, April 27, to discuss advances in microbiome research and the potential and promise of microbiome-based medicine in the era of precision management. Eugene B. Chang, an award-winning professor of medicine at the University of Chicago, will discuss the challenges, limitations and promises of microbiome research, at a time of important discoveries about how microbiomes can affect human diseases and treatments.

Learn more.

[[Next Week: Preservation Week Webinars from the Library of Congress]]:

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 13:34:06 -0500

The Library of Congress, Preservation Directorate is hosting four webinars this year for Preservation Week. Although Preservation Week officially starts April 30th, we are offering events the week before. Monday through Thursday we will be presenting webinars every day at 11 am (EDT). On Friday April 28, the Library is hosting NEH and FAIC’s Held In Trust National Convening onsite. For those interested in virtually attending this conference, please see the link below.

Webinars:

Mapping our Collections with Scientific Imaging, Monday, April 24, 11 am EDT Presented by Eric Monroe, PhD., Head Scientific Laboratory Section, Preservation Research and Testing Division

Many people are unfamiliar with “imaging” in collections care and the various methods by which it can be applied. In our imaging of collections, we add more than a visual image of the library or heritage object, we go beneath the layers, and capture a range of information with various scientific instrumentation. Hear about some of our imaging techniques such as multispectral imaging, IRENE, and more. Register here.

Assessing Collections for Space and Condition, Tuesday, April 25, 11 am EDT Presented by Beatriz Haspo, Collections Officer, Collection Management Division

The Library of Congress struggles with storage space like any other institution. This webinar will discuss the Preservation Directorate’s efforts to create an integrated approach to space management and collection needs assessment for its vast collection. Register here.

Web Archiving at the Library of Congress: Preserving Internet History for Memory and Research, Wednesday, April 26, 11 am EDT Presented by Senior Digital Collection Specialists Lauren Baker, Grace Bicho, and Chase Dooley

The Library of Congress Web Archive manages, preserves, and provides access to archived web content selected by subject experts from across the Library. Three experts from the Library’s Web Archiving Program team will present an overview of web archiving, highlighting what web archiving is, who does it and why it is important, and how we approach preservation of web content at the Library of Congress using the United States Election Web Archive as an example. Register here.

An Introduction to the Conservation Internship at the Library of Congress, Thursday, April 27, 11 am EDT Presented by Advanced Conservation Interns Meredith French, Veronica Mercado, Emily Mercer

The photograph, paper, and book sections in the Library of Congress Conservation Laboratory hosts advanced conservation interns from the Buffalo State University and the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation. Book intern, Verónica Mercado, will present on the path students take to pursue art conservation, while photograph intern Emily Mercer and paper intern Meredith French will showcase treatments they are conducting at the lab. Register here.

All webinars will be recorded and posted on our website, this process usually takes 1-3 months. You can find all our past recordings here.

Please request ADA accommodations at least five business days in advance by contacting (202) 707-6362 or ada@loc.gov.

Held in Trust National Convening Friday, April 28

Held in Trust is a four-year cooperative agreement between the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC) to evaluate the state of preservation and conservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the United States. The Convening will be an exciting way to discuss the findings of the project, suggest future directions for the field, and outline the vision of a thriving, equitable, and just community of practice everyone has helped us create. For more information and registration click here.

March News from the Library of Congress

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 10:00:27 -0500

News from the Library of Congress

AHHA Internship Program, Experience the World in Sound with Jim Metzner, Close-Up Book Series and More

Library Seeks Applicants for the 2023 Archives, History and Heritage Advanced Internship Program

The Library is seeking applicants for its next Archives, History and Heritage Advanced Internship Program, which will run from Sept. 11 to Nov. 17. This 10-week, paid internship is open to currently enrolled undergraduate juniors and seniors, master’s and Ph.D. candidates from all majors or those who have graduated between Dec. 1, 2022, and Aug. 31, 2023. The program offers onsite and remote project opportunities, allowing interns from near and far to participate. The deadline to apply is Monday, Apr. 24, 2023.

Learn more.

Library of Congress Launches Transcription Campaign for Rarely Seen Post-Civil War Petition from Black South Carolina Residents Seeking Equal Rights

The Library hosted a special display and press conference to announce a new transcription campaign seeking to learn more about the signers of a rarely seen 1865 petition by Black residents in South Carolina calling for equal rights.

Learn more.

Collection Close-Up Book Series Provides Intimate Look at Library Collections

A new series invites readers to experience the Library’s treasures in compact, accessible books that curate a unique collection of objects and bring them to life with color reproductions, historical context and fascinating anecdotes.

Learn more.

Inaugural Library of Congress Film and Sound Festival Set to Gather Film Fans, Archivists and Authors in Celebration of Rare Silent and Sound Cinema

The Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center announced today the inaugural Library of Congress Festival of Film and Sound, a new four-day film event celebrating the Library’s rich moving image and recorded sound collections. The festival will be held in association with AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center and will take place June 15 to 18 at the American Film Institute’s historic theater in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Learn more.

Experience the World in Sound with Jim Metzner from ‘Pulse of the Planet’ and Jad Abumrad of ‘Radio Lab’ during Live at the Library in April

Visitors can immerse themselves in sounds of people and places during Live at the Library in April. On April 27, audio producer Jim Metzner of “Pulse of the Planet” sits down for a conversation with Jad Abumrad, creator of the podcast “Radio Lab.” A special installation curated by Metzner with sounds from around the world will be available that day for visitors.

Learn more.

Library to Celebrate National Cherry Blossom Festival

On April 1, the Library will host its annual Japanese Culture Day in celebration of the 2023 National Cherry Blossom Festival, an annual commemoration of Japan’s 1912 gift to the U.S. of 3,020 cherry trees.

Learn more.

February News from the Library of Congress

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 11:40:17 -0600

News from the Library of Congress

Artists to Celebrate Joni Mitchell, Garth Fagan Dance Company,

Lilly Endowment, and More.

Artists to Celebrate Joni Mitchell Receiving Library of Congress Gershwin Prize

Musical artists will join the national library and American leaders to honor music legend Joni Mitchell in the nation’s capital on Wednesday, March 1, as she is awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song during an all-star tribute concert.

The lineup will include performances by James Taylor, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Herbie Hancock, Cyndi Lauper, Marcus Mumford, Graham Nash, Diana Krall, Angelique Kidjo and Ledisi. The concert is by invitation only, but PBS will broadcast the concert later this month.

Learn more.

Library of Congress Releases Newly Digitized Colonial-era African Postcards

The Library has announced the initial release of over 1,300 newly digitized postcards from the Africana Historic Postcard Collection, which depicts life under French, Italian, German, Belgian and British colonial rule in sub-Saharan Africa from the 1890s until the end of the 1930s.

Learn more.

Library Receives $2.5 million from Lilly Endowment

The Library has received a $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative. The grant will support the launch of Library programs to enhance public understanding of religious cultures in Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia over a five-year period.

Learn more.

Library Acquires Archives of Garth Fagan Dance Company

The Library has acquired the papers of choreographer Garth Fagan and Garth Fagan Dance, the company founded by Fagan in 1970. Garth Fagan Dance is distinguished by the artistic imagination and polyrhythmic movement of Jamaican-born Fagan, layered with the discipline and strength of ballet training. The company has performed in more than 660 cities in 24 countries on six continents.

Learn more.

Updated Federal Library Directory Increases Accessibility to U.S. Agency Libraries

The “Federal Library Directory,” now in an updated second edition, profiles federal libraries and information centers in the United States and abroad. Presented with an interactive map, the directory displays geographic and collections data from nearly 1,400 federal libraries.

Learn more.

Join the Friends of the Library of Congress!

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 07:00:16 -0600

Join the Friends of the Library of Congress

As you finalize your year-end giving, consider a tax-deductible donation to the Library of Congress and become a member of Friends of the Library of Congress!

Your membership will help the Library broaden its reach, expand collections, animate spaces, and ensure that all people everywhere can access the Library of Congress and find the expected and unexpected.

And, as a member, you'll have even more opportunities to engage with the Library and its vast collections in 2023.

Learn more about Friends of the Library of Congress and join today.

December News from the Library of Congress

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 16:05:20 -0600

News from the Library of Congress

National Film Registry, Join In, Music Commissions from Koussevitzky Foundation and more.

25 Eclectic Films Chosen for National Film Registry

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today the annual selection of 25 influential motion pictures to be inducted into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. Selected for their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage, the newest selections include a vibrant diversity of American filmmakers, as well as landmark works in key genres and numerous documentaries.

Learn more.

Library to Celebrate Jason Reynolds’ Three Years as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature

The Library of Congress and Every Child a Reader will celebrate the end of Jason Reynolds’ unprecedented three-year term as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature with local students in the Washington, D.C., area on Dec. 13.

Learn more.

Join In: New Library of Congress Exhibition Features History of Voluntary Associations in America

The newest exhibition at the Library, “Join In: Voluntary Associations in America,” explores America’s history as a “nation of joiners” and our long tradition of volunteering for a wide range of groups and causes. The exhibition opens to the public Dec. 16 and will be on view through Dec. 31, 2023.

Learn more.

Library Announces 2022 Music Commissions from Koussevitzky Foundation

The Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation in the Library of Congress has awarded commissions for new musical works to seven composers. The commissions are granted jointly by the foundation and the performing organizations that will present the world premiere of each work.

Learn more.

Library Announces New General Counsel

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today that Margaret Williams will become General Counsel of the Library of Congress effective New Year’s Day. Williams has been at the Library for 35 years, serving most recently as Deputy General Counsel. She succeeds Elizabeth Pugh who will retire on December 31, after a distinguished 44-year career with the federal government including 22 years at the Library.

Learn more.

Preservation News: TOPS Talk in January: Printing Maps on Oversized Paper: The 18th century paper mills in the Toscolano district

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 14:07:32 -0600

Printing Maps on Oversized Paper: The 18^th century paper mills in the Toscolano district

January 9^th at 1pm Eastern

Speakers: Dr. Silvia Pugliese, Head of Preservation and Conservation, Marciana National Library

Carissa Pastuch, Reference Librarian, Geography & Maps Division, Library of Congress

The Hâcı Ahmed heart-shaped map of the world was printed in Venice from six 16^th century woodcut blocks and the Library of Congress has one of the few existing copies of this remarkable map in the Geography & Maps Division (G&M). Join us for a presentation given by Dr. Silvia Pugliese on the history and technique of papermaking in the Venetian Republic. Her research casts new light on the special large sized papers made there for map-making, export and domestic use during the 18^th century, including the paper chosen to print this map, and for the Middle Eastern export market.

The Marciana National Library in Venice has the six original 16^th century wood blocks carved for creating this map, and two copies of the printed map. Dr. Pugliese has traced the identity of the mill that supplied the paper for this map, using original sources from the State Archives of Venice, and examining registers and paper samples that are still present in the city records of the historic mills in the valleys around the Lake Garda in the Veneto.

Carissa Pastuch from G&M will discuss how the Library of Congress acquired their copy of the Hâcı Ahmed map.

To register click here.

Give the Gift of Membership: Friends of the Library of Congress

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 06:37:00 -0600

Give the Gift of Membership

Are you still looking for the coolest holiday history gift? Someone once said that the Library makes history cool. (Okay, it was popstar Lizzo who said that.) Give a Friends of the Library of Congress Membership to a friend or loved one this holiday season!

Your gift membership provides the recipient unique opportunities to engage with and explore the oddly crush-worthy Library of Congress. A gift membership is not only a gift for your friend or loved one but a gift to all people, everywhere.

Give the gift of membership today! Click here for more information.

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November News from the Library of Congress

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 08:45:16 -0600

News from the Library of Congress

Bobbitt Poetry Prizes, Join In, Live! at the Library programming, and more.

Live at the Library to Feature Special Preview of New Exhibit, Bobbitt Prize Honorees in December

Visitors will have the chance to preview the Library’s newest exhibition, “Join In: Voluntary Associations in America” and are invited to celebrate the holidays with the Library during Live at the Library in December. Winners of the Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry, former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove and Heid E. Erdrich, will also be honored during a special reading.

Learn more.

Library Awards Bobbitt Poetry Prizes to Rita Dove and Heid E. Erdrich

The Library of Congress will award the 2022 Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry to former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove for lifetime achievement and to Heid E. Erdrich for her poetry collection “Little Big Bully.”

Learn more.

2023 Innovator in Residence Rebuilds and Revisits Lost Communities

The Library of Congress has appointed Rhode Island artist, educator and community-focused researcher Jeffrey Yoo Warren as 2023 Innovator in Residence. With his project, Seeing Lost Enclaves: Relational Reconstructions of Erased Historic Neighborhoods of Color, Yoo Warren will use photographs, maps, film and audio recordings from Library collections to build an immersive digital 3D model of historic Chinatowns in Providence, Rhode Island and another city that will be determined.

Learn more.

Library Celebrates Successful Literacy Practices with 2022 Literacy Award Winners

In celebration of the 2022 Literacy Awards winners and honorees, the Library of Congress will present a five-part webinar series to begin next month. A video and Story Map that are now available explore the impact of this year’s winners and honorees on individuals around the world through their successful literacy programs.

Learn more.

Kislak Family Foundation Gives $10M to Create New Gallery Exploring History of Early Americas at Library of Congress

The Kislak Family Foundation is donating $10 million to create a new exhibition at the Library of Congress that will share a fuller history of the early Americas, featuring the acclaimed Jay I. Kislak Collection of artifacts, paintings, maps, rare books and documents, the Library announced today. The new Kislak Gallery will be part of a reimagined visitor experience at the national library in the years ahead.

Learn more.

Library 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 national awards for federal librarianship in fiscal year 2022.

Learn more.

October News from the Library of Congress

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 14:25:16 -0500

News from the Library of Congress

The Giant Bible of Mainz, September/October LCM, Halloween & Día de Muertos Resources, and more.

Library to Host Halloween Family Day with Authors R.L. Stine and Mary Pope Osborne

The Library of Congress will host a day of family-friendly activities on Saturday, Oct. 22, in the Thomas Jefferson Building. The day will feature a special program at 2 p.m. in the Coolidge Auditorium with beloved authors R.L. Stine, author of the “Goosebumps” series, and Mary Pope Osborne, author of the “Magic Tree House” series.

The Giant Bible of Mainz Digitized by the Library of Congress

The Giant Bible of Mainz, one of the last handwritten giant bibles in Europe, has now been digitized by the Library of Congress, ensuring online access to an important national treasure from the 15th century. The Rare Book and Special Collections Division will hold a virtual event with international scholars on Oct. 6 to present new research about the origins of one of the Library’s great treasures.

Learn more.

October Marks 60 Years of NLS Music Section

On October 6, 1897, the Librarian of Congress John Russell Young, opened a specially designated reading room for the blind. At that time, the reading room already contained 200 volumes of books and music items in raised characters. Young designated Etta Josselyn Giffin to direct the reading room. Giffin became an advocate for the blind, grew the braille library and its readership, and ensured the development of an accessible music collection.

Learn more.

Halloween & Día de Muertos Resources

Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in contemporary America, and it's becoming globally popular as well. Día de Muertos, a related but different holiday, is similarly popular in most of Spanish-speaking America, but especially in Mexico. This guide will lead you to some of the Library of Congress's most fascinating resources on Halloween, Día de Muertos, and the supernatural. Check out our research guide to learn more about this spooky days.

Learn more.

Researcher Story: Julie Centofanti

Julie Centofanti, a biology student at Youngstown State University, started a club at her university in 2020 to transcribe historical documents included in the Library’s By the People project. A longer version of this interview appears on the Signal blog.

Learn more.

September/October LCM

Learn how conservation specialists bring 19th-century toys back to life in the latest issue of Library of Congress Magazine.

Learn more.

September News from the Library of Congress

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 08:15:15 -0500

News from the Library of Congress

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage , Lizzo at the Library, Concerts and More

It’s About (Danged) Time: Lizzo at the Library!

You didn't think Lizzo played that antique flute on stage without practicing first, did you? She visited the Library Monday & played several of the flutes in our collection, which is the largest in the world.

Library Announces Fall 2022 Concerts

Concerts from the Library of Congress will return to the historic Coolidge Auditorium for the 2022-2023 season. The fall series begins Oct. 14 with multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer Magda Giannikou and her global pop ensemble Banda Magda. The following day, the Apollon Musagète Quartet performs the Shostakovich piano quintet with pianist Garrick Ohlsson.

Learn more.

Chronicling America Reaches 50 States

NEH recently awarded its first grant award to a National Digital Newspaper Program partner for the state of New Hampshire, ensuring access to significant newspapers from the entire United States. Dartmouth College will serve as the New Hampshire state hub, partnering with the New Hampshire State Library, the New Hampshire Historical Society, and the University of New Hampshire Library to identify historical newspapers that reflect the state’s political, economic, and cultural history for inclusion in Chronicling America.

Learn more.

Library Appoints New Director of the John W. Kluge Center

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today announced the appointment of Kevin Butterfield as director of the John W. Kluge Center. A noted historian, Butterfield brings two decades of experience teaching, writing and directing major research centers.

Learn more.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes Hispanic American contributions to US society and culture. Designated in 1968 when Congress passed Pub. L. 90-498 authorizing and requesting the President to issue an annual proclamation of National Hispanic Heritage during mid- September. September 15th marks the anniversary of independence for the Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16th. Explore our videos and blogs dedicated to this special month:

Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month.

July News from the Library of Congress

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 13:00:28 -0500

News from the Library of Congress

National Book Festival Author Lineup, U.S. Poet Laureate, Library’s Packard Campus Theater and More.

Library of Congress National Book Festival Announces Full Author Lineup

The 2022 Library of Congress National Book Festival returns to the Washington Convention Center this Labor Day weekend on Saturday, Sept. 3, featuring more than 120 authors, poets and writers, and celebrating the festival theme, “Books Bring Us Together.”

Learn more.

Librarian of Congress Names Ada Limón the Nation's 24th U.S. Poet Laureate

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced the appointment of Ada Limón as the nation’s 24th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2022-2023. Limón will take up her duties in the fall, opening the Library’s annual literary season on Sept. 29 with a reading of her work in the Coolidge Auditorium.

Learn more.

Jesmyn Ward to Receive 2022 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced that the 2022 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction will be awarded to Jesmyn Ward. At 45, Ward is the youngest person to receive the Library’s fiction award for her lifetime of work.

Learn more.

Library’s Packard Campus Theater Resumes Film Screenings

The Library of Congress Packard Campus Theater will reopen its doors to patrons with a new season of film screenings on Fridays and Saturdays, beginning July 15.

The series will offer a film every Friday at 7:30 p.m., a matinee on Saturdays at 2 p.m. followed by a 7:30 p.m. screening. The matinee shows will be family friendly. Programs are free and open to the public. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Seating at the screenings is on a first-come, first-served basis unless otherwise noted.

Learn more.

Visitors Invited to Explore Library Reading Rooms and Collections in July

The new Thursday evening series Live at the Library will offer the special opportunity for visitors to explore the Library of Congress’ reading rooms and collections in July – as well as enjoy summer movies and concerts on the lawn.

Learn more.

June News from the Library of Congress

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 07:00:17 -0500

News from the Library of Congress

Celebrating Pride Month, Juneteenth, Summer Movies and More

Top Gun, Willy Wonka, Mary Poppins and More Featured in 2022 Summer Movie Series

The Library of Congress will host its annual “Summer Movies on the Lawn” outdoor film festival this summer, starting July 7. The series of movies 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. There will be music before each film, with live performances on July 7, July 21 and Aug. 4.

Learn more.

June's Live at the Library Lineup to Feature Annie Leibovitz, Sean Doolittle of Washington Nationals

The Library of Congress continues its new Thursday evening "Live at the Library" series featuring special conversations with photographer Annie Leibovitz (June 23), baseball player and bookstore fan Sean Doolittle (June 30) and more in June.

Learn more about our upcoming Live! at the Library events.

Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the date Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and delivered General Order No. 3 announcing the end of slavery. The news arrived in Texas more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been formally issued on January 1.1863. On June 17, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed into law the bill that established Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19, as a legal public holiday. Learn about the history of Juneteenth with our blog posts from the Library of Congress.

Explore our new exhibition on display, "Juneteenth: Books from the General Collections" in the Thomas Jefferson Building.

Celebrating Pride Month

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. Explore some of our blogs that feature education about the LGBTQ+ community:

Learn more about Pride Month.

Connecting Communities Digital Initiative Announces Second Round of Grant Opportunities for Libraries, Archives, Museums and Higher Education Institutions

Educational and cultural institutions that seek to amplify the stories of Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and other communities of color by using the Library’s digital collections are invited to apply for the second round of grant opportunities through the Of the People: Widening the Path Connecting Communities Digital Initiative at the Library of Congress.

Learn more.

Veterans History Project Hosts Live Art Demonstrations and Discussions During Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month

The Library of Congress Veterans History Project will observe Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month in June with a three-day series of live art demonstrations and discussions about using art as a tool to manage trauma. Hosted in collaboration with Uniting US, a veteran-focused nonprofit arts organization, this six-session series will cover a wide range of artistic disciplines, with both in-person events at the Library and pre-recorded events posted online.

Learn more.

May/June Issue of LCM

Signed, sealed and delivered! Discover great letters from our collections in the latest issue of the Library of Congress Magazine.

Download the current issue of Library of Congress Magazine.

April News from the Library of Congress

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 09:24:58 -0500

News from the Library of Congress

National Recording Registry Inducts Music from Alicia Keys, Ricky Martin, Journey and More in 2022

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden named 25 recordings as audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.

Alicia Keys’ debut album “Songs in A Minor,” Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin” are some of the unforgettable sounds of the nation’s history and culture joining the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. The 2022 class includes important inductions of hip-hop and Latin music, including recordings by Linda Ronstadt, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan and Buena Vista Social Club.

Learn more about the 2022 National Recording Registry.

Watch April 25: Matthew Broderick & Sarah Jessica Parker

The Library of Congress will host a special event featuring Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker on April 25 to discuss Neil Simon's legacy. Broderick and Parker are currently starring in the revival of Simon's "Plaza Suite" on Broadway. The conversation will be moderated by "Plaza Suite" director John Benjamin Hickey.

Learn more about this special video event.

Library Celebrates Joy Harjo's Three Terms as U.S. Poet Laureate

The Library of Congress will celebrate Joy Harjo, the first Native American U.S. poet laureate, as her three terms in the position come to a conclusion with two public programs at the end of April.

The Poet Laureate Closing Event will take place in the Coolidge Auditorium on Thursday, April 28, at 7 p.m. ET, and will feature Harjo reading and discussing her favorite “ancestor poems.” Then come back Friday, April 29, at 7 p.m. ET for a special dance party featuring the Laureate and DJ Tnyce.

Learn more about these two Poet Laureate events.

Celebrating Poetry Month at the Library of Congress

Celebrate National Poetry Month with the Library of Congress. Learn how the Library promotes poetry and poets throughout the year, via online and in-person programming, special collections, honors, prizes and ambassadors.

Learn more about the Library's poetry programs.

Apply Now: Archives, History & Heritage Advanced Internship Program

The Library of Congress is seeking applicants for its next Archives, History and Heritage Advanced Internship Program, which will run from Sept. 12 to Nov. 18, 2022. This 10-week paid internship is open to undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate and doctoral students interested in learning and conducting research at the largest library in the world. Deadline to apply is April 25.

Learn more about how to apply for an AHHA internship.

Library of Congress Podcast Explores "Space on the Page"

“Space on the Page,” a new podcast from the Kluge Center, explores the universe not with a rocket but through ideas.

The next three episodes feature science fiction authors Nnedi Okorafor, Becky Chambers and John Scalzi in conversation with scientists Betül Kaçar, Rika Anderson and Frank Rosenzweig. Together they examine how the human imagination depicts everything that we anticipate, hope and fear about the unknown.

Learn more about the "Space on the Page" podcast.

March/April Issue of the Library of Congress Magazine

Did you know that the cherry blossoms adorning the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. were a gift from the city of Tokyo? Dig into the history of our national cherry blossoms in the latest issue of LCM.

Download the current issue of Library of Congress Magazine.

Preservation News: Register Now! Preservation Week webinars

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 07:52:17 -0500

The Library of Congress, Preservation Directorate is excited to participate in Preservation Week 2022! We are hosting webinars every weekday of Preservation Week at 11 am (EDT). The five webinars will feature preservation-related projects conducted at the Library. Click on the titles to register.

Fragments, Discovery and Creating Knowledge Monday, April 25th, 11 am (EDT)

Fenella France, Chief of the Preservation Research and Testing Division (PRTD), will discuss how PRTD staff have been using noninvasive portable instruments to learn more from the material and physical aspects of collections. Working with Marianna Stell in the Rare Book and Special Collections Division, PRTD has recently been exploring 12th- to 16th-century parchment fragments to expand understanding of historical parchment and inks.

Preserving the legacy of Robert Cornelius and other daguerreotypes in the Prints & Photographs Division Tuesday, April 26th, 11 am (EDT)

Daguerreotypes are among the earliest photographic records, and the Library holds over 800, including the iconic daguerreotype self-portrait of Robert Cornelius from 1839. Rachel Wetzel, Senior Photograph Conservator, will discuss the development of the daguerreotype, introduce Cornelius’ work and explain how her daguerreotype research led to a recent major acquisition.

Preservation Digitization Program Overview Wednesday, April 27th, 11 am (EDT)

The Preservation Services Division performs a wide variety of reformatting including brittle books, foreign newspaper digitization, as well as tangible media capture, and forensics. Aaron Chaletzky, Head of the Reformatting Projects Section will give a brief discussion of each type of reformatting, plus a sample of online collections.

Moving Collections to an Off-Site Facility: Key Things to Keep In Mind Thursday, April 28th, 11 am (EDT)

Cathy Martyniak, Chief of the Collection Management Division, will provide a top-level overview of issues to keep in mind if a library decides to move a portion of its collections to an off-site facility. Key topics include selection of materials for transfer, identification of the offsite facility, shelving schemas, transportation of materials, retrievals, and governance policies.

Fiscal and Organizational Sustainability for Preservation Programs Friday, April 29th, 11 am (EDT)

Jacob Nadal, Director for Preservation at the Library, will describe how the Library’s Preservation Directorate plans for and maintains its preservation programs. He will discuss a series of reorganizations, completed in 2017 and 2021, and an ongoing series of cost studies. These studies examine total costs of major service areas and support scenario planning around pay and non-pay activities. These combined efforts help to make sure the Preservation Directorate will be able to respond to changes: in immediate requirements and across strategic planning cycles, while making progress on long-term and large-scale preservation needs.

All webinars will be recorded and posted on our website, this process usually takes 2-6 months. You can find all our past recordings here. If you have any questions please contact Amelia Parks at ampar@loc.gov

Please request ADA accommodations at least five business days in advance by contacting (202) 707-6362 or ada@loc.gov.

February News from the Library of Congress

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 08:39:23 -0600

News from the Library of Congress

Black History Month, Coronavirus Web Archive Collection & More

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society. Visit this joint web portal highlighting collections, resources and events: blackhistorymonth.gov

Programs Honor Black History Month at the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is holding several virtual events throughout February to share discoveries and stories around Black History Month. For visitors to the Library’s Jefferson Building, the exhibition “Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words” remains on view.

Learn more.

Celebrating Black History Around the Library

In 1926, noted historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History,” began a week-long celebration to highlight the achievements of African Americans. In 1976 this grew into the longer Black History Month celebration that continues to this day; the theme for this year is Black Health and Wellness.

Check out our wide selection of Library content and blog posts highlighting African American stories in honor of Black History Month, and this year’s theme in particular, giving a glimpse into all the history there is to discover at the Library of Congress.

Rosa Parks in Her Own Words: Visit the Exhibition In-Person & Online

Visit our current exhibition on Rosa Parks which showcases rarely seen materials that offer an intimate view of Rosa Parks and documents her life and activism—creating a rich opportunity for viewers to discover new dimensions of this seminal figure.

Learn more.

New Transcription Campaign: The Gladstone Afro-American Military Collection

On Feb. 1, The Library's By the People campaign and Manuscript Division launched a new virtual volunteering campaign in celebration of Black History Month titled Brothers in Arms: The Gladstone Afro-American Military Collection. The Gladstone collection documents African Americans in military service and spans the years 1773 to 1987, with the bulk of the material dating from the Civil War period, 1861-1865.

To learn more and to volunteer as a transcriber, please visit crowd.loc.gov for more information.

Library Releases Coronavirus Web Archive Collection

After collecting a wide variety of web content documenting the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years, the Library of Congress is now making its growing Coronavirus Web Archive available to the public.

The collection, which now includes 450 web archives, aims to balance government, science, business and policy content with human stories that will give future historians a sense of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the daily lives of individuals, families and communities.

Learn more.

Watch “All My Babies: A Midwife’s Own Story” (1953) in the LC National Screening Room

“All My Babies: A Midwife’s Own Story” (1953) is a wonderful educational film in the Library’s collection that was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 2002. Directed by George Stoney and produced by the Georgia Department of Public Health, the film profiles the life and work of “Miss Mary” Coley, a Black midwife living in rural Georgia. The movie was made to educate doctors, midwives, schools and health departments about midwifery in the Black community.

Read the blog post.

Watch the film.

New Magazine: A Lush Life

Composer and jazz pianist Billy Strayhorn led an extraordinary life. During his career, he became one of the greatest names on 20^th-century American music.

Read the new issue of LCM.

Friends of the Library of Congress brings together a community of donors committed to preserving this nation's cultural memory. This group is integral in advancing the Library's mission to engage, inspire, and inform and help make everything possible from digital resources to public programming to exhibitions.

Join now and take part in unique opportunities to see, experience, and learn from the Library's staff and collections first-hand.

January News from the Library of Congress

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 07:16:43 -0600

News from the Library of Congress

Lionel Richie, the Kitchen Sisters, New Online Collections & More

Lionel Richie to Receive the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced that pop music icon Lionel Richie will be the next recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Richie will be honored with an all-star tribute concert in Washington, D.C., that will be broadcast nationally on PBS stations May 17 at 9 p.m. ET.

Learn more.

The Library Acquires Kitchen Sisters' Audio Archive

For more than 40 years, radio and podcast producers Davia Nelson and Nikki Silva — best known as The Kitchen Sisters — have chronicled the lives, rituals, triumphs and tribulations of people from all walks of life, weaving together a rich tapestry of America’s cultural heritage. Now the Library of Congress is acquiring their full body of work, including more than 7,000 hours of audio, photos, handwritten journals, podcasts and storybooks.

Learn more.

New Collections Online

The Library is constantly adding new items to its available digital collections online. Check out this post from The Signal blog for the latest additions, from film descriptions from copyright registrations to rare illustrated children's books in Hebrew and Yiddish, to musical theater sheet music, to maps, and more.

Read the blog post.

New Magazine: Jazz's Last Star

Hazel Scott had fame, money and artistic success — then she lost it all. Read about this little-known jazz star and discover a world of jazz from the Library's collections in the new issue of the Library of Congress Magazine

Read the new issue.

Join now and take part in unique opportunities to see, experience, and learn from the Library's staff and collections first-hand.

Now’s Your Chance: Join the Friends of Library

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 06:55:13 -0600

Thank you for subscribing to our email bulletin services! We value your interest in the Library’s programs and services and appreciate this opportunity to connect with you.

As you finalize your year-end giving plans, please take one more opportunity to connect and consider a tax-deductible donation to the Library of Congress. You will become an inaugural member of Friends of the Library of Congress.

As a Friend of the Library, you will join a growing philanthropic community that helps protect, preserve and diversify our nation's cultural record. And you will have unique, member-only opportunities to engage virtually and in person with the collections, curators and other Friends during the coming New Year.

If you’ve joined our new Friends program, thank you very much! And if you haven’t, here’s how you can learn more about Friends of the Library of Congress and join today!