The design for the Library of Congress Bicentennial commemorative stamp was unveiled on Oct. 14 by the United States Postal Service.
"All of us at the Library of Congress are pleased that our 200th birthday will be commemorated as part of the nation's 2000 stamp program," said Dr. Billington.
The Library's Bicentennial commemorative stamp was selected for inclusion in the 2000 stamp program from more than 40,000 suggestions for stamps received by the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, a group of independent citizens appointed by the Postmaster General. Ethel Kessler, known for her work as the designer of the breast cancer stamp, designed the Library's stamp, which features a photograph by Michael Freeman of the interior dome and several of the arched windows in the Main Reading Room in the 1897 Thomas Jefferson Building.
The stamp will be issued on the Library's Bicentennial date, April 24, 2000, during a ceremony to be held in the Jefferson Building in Washington, D.C. Second-day issue events are planned in libraries throughout the nation in keeping with the Library's goal of celebrating America's libraries during its Bicentennial year with a theme of "Libraries, Creativity, Liberty."
Director of Congressional Relations Geraldine Otremba; John Cole, director of the Center for the Book; Deputy Librarian Donald Scott; Ethel Kessler, the stamp's designer; Dr. Billington, Chief of Staff Jo Ann Jenkins; Roberta Stevens, Bicentennial program manager; and Public Affairs Officer Jill Brett stand on the balcony of the Main Reading Room, whose dome is seen in the Library of Congress commemorative stamp. - Jim Higgins
