Recovering the Extraordinary Life and Songs of Carrie Jacobs-Bond
Christopher Reynolds, distinguished professor emeritus at the University of California discussed Davis Carrie Jacobs-Bond (1861-1946), one of the most successful songwriters in the first half of the 20th century. Her most popular songs sold millions of copies of sheet music and records and were sung around the world, translated into dozens of languages. Critics often thought of her music either as "semi-classical," as "high-class…
Contributor:
Reynolds, Christopher
Date:2025-12-04
Film, Video
Apply for the 2025 Literacy Awards
Apply for the 2025 Literacy Awards today for a chance to receive up to $150,000. As many as 24 organizations will be selected and invited to join a network of more than 200 outstanding literacy organizations from across the country and around the world. The 2025 application period is open from January 7 to February 18, 2025. For more information, please visit www.loc.gov/literacy.
Date:2025-01-07
Film, Video
2024 National Film Registry Announcement
The Librarian of Congress announces the annual selection of 25 inductees for the National Film Registry for 2024. The oldest film is a 1895 silent short titled "Annabelle Serpentine Dance" which many prints were distributed with hand-tinted color, and the newest is the 2010 social media biopic "The Social Network." In between are memorable Hollywood classics films such as "The Miracle Worker," sci-fi favorite…
The Monlam Grand Tibetan Dictionary: Modern Technology for Ancient Wisdom
Geshe Monlam talks about his Monlam Grand Tibetan Dictionary, which he recently donated to the Library. At its core, the Monlam Grand Tibetan Dictionary Project represents a concerted effort to preserve and propagate the rich tapestry of Tibetan language and culture. By compiling a comprehensive repository of Tibetan vocabulary spanning 223 volumes, this ambitious project encapsulates the depth and diversity of Tibetan linguistic heritage…
Contributor:
McGovern, Rep. James P. - Monlam, Geshe
Date:2024-12-12
Film, Video
Meg Media: Closing Celebration for the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature
Meg Medina closed her tenure as the 2023-2024 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature by celebrating her video program, "Cuéntame! Let's Talk Books." Medina, the first Latina in the role, served a two-year term and inspired children across the nation to talk about their favorite books, connected families to established childrens' authors via her video series and invited families to special visits at the…
Contributor:
Davis, Reginaed - Birkhead, Shaina - Hayden, Carla - Creightney, Anya - Greenfield, Max - Muie, James - Casineros Dance Company - Medina, Meg
Date:2024-12-12
Film, Video
Library of Congress Chorale: Higher Ground
The Library of Congress Chorale performed its 51st annual winter concert, celebrating uplifting spirits and unity as inspired by Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground."
Contributor:
Library of Congress Chorale
Date:2024-12-11
Film, Video
Cuéntame! Let's Talk Books with Gene Luen Yang
What happens when you put two National Ambassadors for Young People's Literature together? Pure joy and overflowing love for books, of course! Gene Luen Yang (the fifth Ambassador) joined Meg Medina (the eighth Ambassador) at the 2024 National Book Festival to talk books, comic books, art, drawing and the magic of words and stories, particularly those that help us keep going when life gets…
Contributor:
Yang, Gene Luen - Medina, Meg
Date:2024-12-10
Film, Video
Cuéntame! Let's Talk Books with Cece Bell
Meg's guest in this next installment is also an artist and musician--not to mention delightfully silly! You'll have a great time hearing from cartoonist and children's book author Cece Bell, who tells Meg how she learned to draw as a kid, how she came to write a book about growing up deaf, and how she put together the amazing book-album-music video combo, "Animal Albums…
Contributor:
Bell, Cece - Medina, Meg
Date:2024-12-10
Film, Video
Scientific Collaborations Between the US and New Zealand
In 1874, when Venus transited across the sun for the first time since 1769, several nations arranged expeditions to witness the rare astronomical event. More than a century afterwards, a group of scientists from the United States traveled to New Zealand and other southern hemisphere locations to view, study and record the Transit event with 19th century science and technology. The hosting of U.S.…
Contributor:
McCraken, Helen - O'Connor, Michael - Weatherwax, Sarah - Johnston, David - Stewart, Joshua - Rogers, Kathie - Piggin, Louise - France, Fenella
Date:2024-12-10
Film, Video
Chief Librarians in Conversation
Sir Roly Keating (chief executive of the British Library) and Carla Hayden (Librarian of Congress) talk with author, journalist and educator Jesse J. Holland in the 2024 American Trust for the British Library David N. Redden Conversation.
Conversation on the Battle of Ayacucho
Scholars Erick Langer, Marie Arana and Natalia Sobrevilla led a panel discussion on the significance of the Battle of Ayacucho, a key battle in Peruvian independence from 200 years ago.
Contributor:
Arana, Marie - Langer, Erick - Sobrevilla, Natalia
Date:2024-12-09
Film, Video
Conversation with Experiential Orchestra and Curtis Stewart
Leaders of the Experiential Orchestra -- including conductor James Blachly, director of artistic planning Pauline Kim Harris and concertmaster Henry Wang -- joined violin soloist Curtis Stewart and the Library's David Plylar for a discussion covering the development of the Experiential Orchestra's performance program at the Library of Congress. This program featured the music of Julia Perry (on the occasion of her centennial), Alan…
Contributor:
Harris, Kim - Wang, Henry - Blachly, James - Plylar, David - Stewart, Curtis
Date:2024-12-06
Film, Video
2024 Bobbitt Prize Winner Arthur Sze
Arthur Sze, winner of the 2024 Rebekah Bobbitt Johnson National Prize for Poetry for Lifetime Achievement, reads some of his poems with details about his evolution as a poet, insights about his creative process and ideas of exploration and freedom in context of the American experience. Following the talk, Sze participated in a conversation with Rob Casper, head of Poetry and Literature at the…
Contributor:
Casper, Robert - Bobbitt, Philip - Sze, Arthur
Date:2024-12-05
Film, Video
Morton Subotnick and the Buchla 100
Composer and electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick offers some background and insights into his work with the famed Buchla 100, which he used to create the genre-defining album "Silver Apples of the Moon." Recently restored, Subotnick's original Buchla 100 will be on display and some of its many possible sounds demonstrated by the members of the MEMS Project. The Buchla 100 was restored as…
Contributor:
Northrop, Andrew - Subotnick, Morton - Antosca, Steve - Flynn, Chip - Milanovich, Mark
Date:2024-12-05
Film, Video
Conversation with Tyshawn Sorey Trio and Sandbox Percussion
Composer and percussionist Tyshawn Sorey of the Tyshawn Sorey Trio and Ian Rosenbaum of Sandbox Percussion speak with the Library's Mike Turpin and David Plylar. The conversation opens with a brief presentation on Max Roach, whose centennial is being celebrated by their performance, including a clip of Roach speaking about his first gig with Duke Ellington. The artists speak about their different sets inspired…
Contributor:
Turpin, Mike - Rosenbaum, Ian - Sorey, Tyshawn - Plylar, David
Date:2024-11-22
Film, Video
From Paper to Pixels: The Evolution of Ocean Mapping and Exploration
Vicki Ferrini, a senior research scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, traces the history of ocean mapping, highlighting pioneering figures like Marie Tharp, whose work revolutionized our understanding of the seafloor and contributed to the plate tectonics revolution. She explores how the field has shifted from a niche domain to a collaborative global effort, involving diverse expertise from across the world.…
Contributor:
Ferrini, Vicki
Date:2024-11-21
Film, Video
The Impact of Intersectional Identities on the Needs of Women Veterans
The Library of Congress Veterans History Project hosted the Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans for a discussion of the importance of women veterans sharing their stories. A panel of three women spoke about their experiences after their time in the service.
Contributor:
Claudio, Ana - Tiglao, Lourdes - Martinez, Katherine - Skelly, Shawn G. - Harris, Iesiah
Date:2024-11-21
Film, Video
Cuéntame! Let's Talk Books with Sabaa Tahir
Bestselling fantasy author Sabaa Tahir joins Meg to talk about why fantasy appealed to her as a teen and why it keeps her wanting to read forever. She explains how her books, such as the "Ember in the Ashes" series, cover difficult topics like colonialism, war and family problems, but also feature epic battle scenes and swoony romances, all the while letting characters who…
Contributor:
Tahir, Sabaa - Medina, Meg
Date:2024-11-19
Film, Video
Cuéntame! Let's Talk Books with Lamar Giles
From his fourth grade story "Giant Dinosaur Inside" to young-adult horror book "The Getaway," Lamar Giles has long been writing books for kids of all ages and continues to enjoy his craft. Join his conversation with Meg Medina as he describes the thrill of writing thrillers, his delight in superheroes (spoiler alert: Static is awesome!) and the joys of storytelling in comics.
Contributor:
Giles, Lamar - Medina, Meg
Date:2024-11-19
Film, Video
Teen Eighngst: Early String Octet Powerhouses by Mendelssohn and Enescu
The Library's David Plylar speaks about two remarkable works created by young composers. Felix Mendelssohn and George Enescu both composed their string octets while still in their teens, and each piece offers a fresh take on cyclical/self-referential musical structures, in addition to being landmark works in the history of the string octet. The lecture preceded a performance in the Coolidge Auditorium of both octets…
Contributor:
Plylar, David
Date:2024-11-16
Film, Video
Conversation with Amarcord
Singers Daniel Knauft and Wolfram Lattke of the vocal ensemble amarcord speak with the Library's David Plylar about their performance at the Library of Congress. Starting with a discussion of amarcord's origins in the Thomanerchor, topics also cover the wide range of vocal music on the program and the special place of contemporary music in their repertoire. Richard Wagner's "An Webers Grabe," held in…
Contributor:
Plylar, David - Amarcord - Knauft, Daniel - Lattke, Wolfram
Date:2024-11-15
Film, Video
Leslie Odom Jr. in Conversation with Ken Biberaj
Tony and Grammy award-winner Leslie Odom Jr. joined host Ken Biberaj for a live taping of "Coffee with Ken," presented by the Library of Congress, CAA and "Coffee with Ken." Odom is widely renowned for his stage and screen work, including as Aaron Burr in "Hamilton," where he won the Tony for Best Actor and a Grammy for the original cast recording. The interview…
Contributor:
Odom Jr., Leslie - Biberaj, Ken
Date:2024-11-13
Film, Video
How Historical Moments Influenced the Modern US Congress
Political scientists Breanna C. Gray of the University of Maryland and Sarah Binder of George Washington University discuss the evolution of the U.S. Congress, including a special focus on the House Rules Committee and changes to its responsibilities.
Contributor:
Gray, Breanna C. - Binder, Sarah
Date:2024-11-13
Film, Video
Conversation with Hiromi Uehara
Renowned Japanese jazz pianist, composer and bandleader Hiromi Uehara talks with the Library's Claudia Morales about her musical journey. They delve into her reactions to treasures from the Library's music collections and the lasting influence of George Gershwin on her artistry. Don't miss the unforgettable moment when Hiromi plays Gershwin's original piano.
Contributor:
Morales, Claudia - Uehara, Hiromi
Date:2024-11-08
Film, Video
Luís de Camões at the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress commemorates the birth of Luís de Camões, whose profound influence on world literature has earned him the title of Portugal's national poet. Glória Alhinho of Georgetown University will join Library staff in presenting on the Library's vast and unique collections by and about Camões.
Contributor:
Espada, Maria - Pires, Sandra Mendonça - Haspo, Beatriz - Widener, Henry - Alhinho, Glória - Schadl, Suzanne
Film, VideoRecovering the Extraordinary Life and Songs of Carrie Jacobs-Bond Christopher Reynolds, distinguished professor emeritus at the University of California discussed Davis Carrie Jacobs-Bond (1861-1946), one of the most successful songwriters in the first half of the 20th century. Her most popular songs sold millions of copies of sheet music and records and were sung around the world, translated into dozens of languages. Critics often thought of her music either as "semi-classical," as "high-class…
Film, VideoApply for the 2025 Literacy Awards Apply for the 2025 Literacy Awards today for a chance to receive up to $150,000. As many as 24 organizations will be selected and invited to join a network of more than 200 outstanding literacy organizations from across the country and around the world. The 2025 application period is open from January 7 to February 18, 2025. For more information, please visit www.loc.gov/literacy.
Film, Video2024 National Film Registry Announcement The Librarian of Congress announces the annual selection of 25 inductees for the National Film Registry for 2024. The oldest film is a 1895 silent short titled "Annabelle Serpentine Dance" which many prints were distributed with hand-tinted color, and the newest is the 2010 social media biopic "The Social Network." In between are memorable Hollywood classics films such as "The Miracle Worker," sci-fi favorite…
Film, VideoThe Monlam Grand Tibetan Dictionary: Modern Technology for Ancient Wisdom Geshe Monlam talks about his Monlam Grand Tibetan Dictionary, which he recently donated to the Library. At its core, the Monlam Grand Tibetan Dictionary Project represents a concerted effort to preserve and propagate the rich tapestry of Tibetan language and culture. By compiling a comprehensive repository of Tibetan vocabulary spanning 223 volumes, this ambitious project encapsulates the depth and diversity of Tibetan linguistic heritage…
Film, VideoMeg Media: Closing Celebration for the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Meg Medina closed her tenure as the 2023-2024 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature by celebrating her video program, "Cuéntame! Let's Talk Books." Medina, the first Latina in the role, served a two-year term and inspired children across the nation to talk about their favorite books, connected families to established childrens' authors via her video series and invited families to special visits at the…
Film, VideoLibrary of Congress Chorale: Higher Ground The Library of Congress Chorale performed its 51st annual winter concert, celebrating uplifting spirits and unity as inspired by Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground."
Film, VideoCuéntame! Let's Talk Books with Gene Luen Yang What happens when you put two National Ambassadors for Young People's Literature together? Pure joy and overflowing love for books, of course! Gene Luen Yang (the fifth Ambassador) joined Meg Medina (the eighth Ambassador) at the 2024 National Book Festival to talk books, comic books, art, drawing and the magic of words and stories, particularly those that help us keep going when life gets…
Film, VideoCuéntame! Let's Talk Books with Cece Bell Meg's guest in this next installment is also an artist and musician--not to mention delightfully silly! You'll have a great time hearing from cartoonist and children's book author Cece Bell, who tells Meg how she learned to draw as a kid, how she came to write a book about growing up deaf, and how she put together the amazing book-album-music video combo, "Animal Albums…
Film, VideoScientific Collaborations Between the US and New Zealand In 1874, when Venus transited across the sun for the first time since 1769, several nations arranged expeditions to witness the rare astronomical event. More than a century afterwards, a group of scientists from the United States traveled to New Zealand and other southern hemisphere locations to view, study and record the Transit event with 19th century science and technology. The hosting of U.S.…
Film, VideoChief Librarians in Conversation Sir Roly Keating (chief executive of the British Library) and Carla Hayden (Librarian of Congress) talk with author, journalist and educator Jesse J. Holland in the 2024 American Trust for the British Library David N. Redden Conversation.
Film, VideoConversation on the Battle of Ayacucho Scholars Erick Langer, Marie Arana and Natalia Sobrevilla led a panel discussion on the significance of the Battle of Ayacucho, a key battle in Peruvian independence from 200 years ago.
Film, VideoConversation with Experiential Orchestra and Curtis Stewart Leaders of the Experiential Orchestra -- including conductor James Blachly, director of artistic planning Pauline Kim Harris and concertmaster Henry Wang -- joined violin soloist Curtis Stewart and the Library's David Plylar for a discussion covering the development of the Experiential Orchestra's performance program at the Library of Congress. This program featured the music of Julia Perry (on the occasion of her centennial), Alan…
Film, Video2024 Bobbitt Prize Winner Arthur Sze Arthur Sze, winner of the 2024 Rebekah Bobbitt Johnson National Prize for Poetry for Lifetime Achievement, reads some of his poems with details about his evolution as a poet, insights about his creative process and ideas of exploration and freedom in context of the American experience. Following the talk, Sze participated in a conversation with Rob Casper, head of Poetry and Literature at the…
Film, VideoMorton Subotnick and the Buchla 100 Composer and electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick offers some background and insights into his work with the famed Buchla 100, which he used to create the genre-defining album "Silver Apples of the Moon." Recently restored, Subotnick's original Buchla 100 will be on display and some of its many possible sounds demonstrated by the members of the MEMS Project. The Buchla 100 was restored as…
Film, VideoConversation with Tyshawn Sorey Trio and Sandbox Percussion Composer and percussionist Tyshawn Sorey of the Tyshawn Sorey Trio and Ian Rosenbaum of Sandbox Percussion speak with the Library's Mike Turpin and David Plylar. The conversation opens with a brief presentation on Max Roach, whose centennial is being celebrated by their performance, including a clip of Roach speaking about his first gig with Duke Ellington. The artists speak about their different sets inspired…
Film, VideoFrom Paper to Pixels: The Evolution of Ocean Mapping and Exploration Vicki Ferrini, a senior research scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, traces the history of ocean mapping, highlighting pioneering figures like Marie Tharp, whose work revolutionized our understanding of the seafloor and contributed to the plate tectonics revolution. She explores how the field has shifted from a niche domain to a collaborative global effort, involving diverse expertise from across the world.…
Film, VideoThe Impact of Intersectional Identities on the Needs of Women Veterans The Library of Congress Veterans History Project hosted the Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans for a discussion of the importance of women veterans sharing their stories. A panel of three women spoke about their experiences after their time in the service.
Film, VideoCuéntame! Let's Talk Books with Sabaa Tahir Bestselling fantasy author Sabaa Tahir joins Meg to talk about why fantasy appealed to her as a teen and why it keeps her wanting to read forever. She explains how her books, such as the "Ember in the Ashes" series, cover difficult topics like colonialism, war and family problems, but also feature epic battle scenes and swoony romances, all the while letting characters who…
Film, VideoCuéntame! Let's Talk Books with Lamar Giles From his fourth grade story "Giant Dinosaur Inside" to young-adult horror book "The Getaway," Lamar Giles has long been writing books for kids of all ages and continues to enjoy his craft. Join his conversation with Meg Medina as he describes the thrill of writing thrillers, his delight in superheroes (spoiler alert: Static is awesome!) and the joys of storytelling in comics.
Film, VideoTeen Eighngst: Early String Octet Powerhouses by Mendelssohn and Enescu The Library's David Plylar speaks about two remarkable works created by young composers. Felix Mendelssohn and George Enescu both composed their string octets while still in their teens, and each piece offers a fresh take on cyclical/self-referential musical structures, in addition to being landmark works in the history of the string octet. The lecture preceded a performance in the Coolidge Auditorium of both octets…
Film, VideoConversation with Amarcord Singers Daniel Knauft and Wolfram Lattke of the vocal ensemble amarcord speak with the Library's David Plylar about their performance at the Library of Congress. Starting with a discussion of amarcord's origins in the Thomanerchor, topics also cover the wide range of vocal music on the program and the special place of contemporary music in their repertoire. Richard Wagner's "An Webers Grabe," held in…
Film, VideoLeslie Odom Jr. in Conversation with Ken Biberaj Tony and Grammy award-winner Leslie Odom Jr. joined host Ken Biberaj for a live taping of "Coffee with Ken," presented by the Library of Congress, CAA and "Coffee with Ken." Odom is widely renowned for his stage and screen work, including as Aaron Burr in "Hamilton," where he won the Tony for Best Actor and a Grammy for the original cast recording. The interview…
Film, VideoHow Historical Moments Influenced the Modern US Congress Political scientists Breanna C. Gray of the University of Maryland and Sarah Binder of George Washington University discuss the evolution of the U.S. Congress, including a special focus on the House Rules Committee and changes to its responsibilities.
Film, VideoConversation with Hiromi Uehara Renowned Japanese jazz pianist, composer and bandleader Hiromi Uehara talks with the Library's Claudia Morales about her musical journey. They delve into her reactions to treasures from the Library's music collections and the lasting influence of George Gershwin on her artistry. Don't miss the unforgettable moment when Hiromi plays Gershwin's original piano.
Film, VideoLuís de Camões at the Library of Congress The Library of Congress commemorates the birth of Luís de Camões, whose profound influence on world literature has earned him the title of Portugal's national poet. Glória Alhinho of Georgetown University will join Library staff in presenting on the Library's vast and unique collections by and about Camões.