July 8, 2001 Library of Congress Publication Earns Design Award

The Library of Congress: An Architectural Alphabet has been cited for design excellence by Washington Book Publishers. The book was one of several publications produced in 2000 in conjunction with the Library's Bicentennial celebration.

"We are honored that the Library's publications continue to be recognized for design excellence by our peers in the publishing community," said W. Ralph Eubanks, the Library's director for publishing. "In conjunction with Archetype Press, our design partner, the Publishing Office developed a classic, timeless design for the book to showcase the architectural richness of the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building, which was built more than 100 years ago."

Held in Washington, D.C., on June 7, the 16th Annual Washington Book Publishers Design Effectiveness Competition presented awards to 38 winners in three categories of publishers from nearly 150 books submitted. The Library's publication garnered the prestigious "Best of Show" award. The award was presented to the Library and co-publisher Pomegranate Communications by Jonathan Yardley, senior book editor for the Washington Post Book World.

Designed by Robert Wiser and edited by Blaine Marshall, The Library of Congress: An Architectural Alphabet explores the extraordinary spaces within the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building, a landmark in the nation's capital as well as one of the country's great architectural treasures. The book offers an illustrated tour of the Jefferson Building's art, architecture, and sculpture, created by some 50 artists and artisans. From A (for arch) to Z (for zigzag), it explores the building's unusual architectural details - egg-and-dart molding, helixes, jambs, pilasters, quoins, spandrels, tripods, vaults, and even an X-motif printer's mark. Illustrations and descriptions are joined by a colorful alphabet drawn from the Library's collection of rare books and manuscripts.

Established in 1976, Washington Book Publishers has more than 200 members from book publishing organizations in the area.

The Library of Congress: An Architectural Alphabet - a 64-page hardbound book, with 29 color photographs - is available for $17.95 in major bookstores and from the Library of Congress Sales Shops. For credit card orders call (202) 707-0204.