Connecting Communities Digital Initiative Welcomes New Program Director
The Library of Congress has welcomed Marya McQuirter as program director for the Connecting Communities Digital Initiative (CCDI). The Connecting Communities Digital Initiative is the key digital component of the Library’s Of the People: Widening the Path initiative, a multiyear, Library-wide effort funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Of the People: Widening the Path, connects the national library more deeply with Black, Indigenous…
Date:2021-12-16
December 13, 2021
(21-078)
‘Return of the Jedi’ Among 25 Eclectic Films Joining 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 epic trilogies, major roles for Jennifer Lopez and Cicely Tyson, extraordinary animated features, comedy and music, and films…
Date:2021-12-14
December 8, 2021
(21-079)
New Book Explores the Legacy of Dante Alighieri’s “The Divine Comedy”
Dante Alighieri’s Italian narrative poem, “The Divine Comedy” has been one of the foundational texts of European literature for over 700 years. This richly layered literary work has been interpreted in many different ways over the centuries. Yet, many mysteries still remain about its symbolism.In the new book, “The Unexpected Dante: Perspectives on the Divine Comedy,” five leading scholars offer fresh perspectives on the…
Date:2021-12-09
December 7, 2021
(PR 21-077)
John W. Kluge Center Welcomes into Residence Experts on U.S. Relations with Russia and China
The John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress has welcomed two new scholars whose work deals with pressing topics in international relations. Andrew Weiss will begin his appointment as Library of Congress Chair in U.S.-Russia Relations in December 2021. Mary Lovely will begin her appointment as Library of Congress Chair in U.S.-China Relations in January 2022. Weiss and Lovely will make use…
Date:2021-12-08
December 7, 2021
(21-076)
Library of Congress Announces Music Commissions from the 2021 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 performances of the newly composed works.Winning composers for 2021 and the groups co-sponsoring their commissions are Katherine Balch and Longleash; Helen Grime and the Boston Symphony…
Date:2021-12-08
December 1, 2021
(21-075)
Leading Scientists and Clinicians Discuss Cancer Immunotherapy at Cancer Moonshot Symposium
Leading scientists and clinicians will discuss the latest in cancer immunotherapy on Monday, Dec. 6, at the annual “Cancer Moonshot” symposium hosted by the Library of Congress Health Services Division and the Science, Technology and Business Division.Since December 2016, when Congress passed the groundbreaking bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, championed by then-Vice President, Joe Biden, the Library of Congress has hosted a symposium on…
Date:2021-12-02
November 30, 2021
(21-073)
Library of Congress, National Park Service Announce 2021 Holland Prize Winner
The Library of Congress and the National Park Service announced today that the 2021 Leicester B. Holland Prize will be presented to a student at the University of Notre Dame for a drawing of the historic St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, the church’s original name, in Kendallville, Indiana. The Holland Prize honors an outstanding historic building, structure or landscape drawing.The prize was awarded to…
Date:2021-12-01
November 2021
November 29, 2021
(21-072)
Library of Congress Celebrates Successful Literacy Practices with New Video and Four-Part Webinar Series
The 2021 Library of Congress Literacy Award Winners and Honorees are featured in a new video available on the Library’s website, and representatives from all of the selected organizations will participate in a four-part webinar series that will debut this winter. The Literacy Awards, originated by David M. Rubenstein in 2013, honor organizations working to promote literacy and reading in the United States and…
Date:2021-11-30
November 29, 2021
(21-074)
Old Phone Books Teach New Lessons in Digital Scholarship
Library of Congress innovation specialists examining the role of human expertise and experience in developing machine-powered research tools today released a report detailing their findings. The “Humans in the Loop” recommendation report from LC Labs details the potential and responsibility of the Library of Congress in its ongoing work to deepen access to its vast collections and share knowledge with other institutions.The Library’s digital…
Date:2021-11-30
November 14, 2021
(21-071)
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 national awards for federal librarianship in fiscal year 2021.For nomination materials, visit the Awards section of the FEDLINK website or send…
Date:2021-11-15
November 11, 2021
(21-069)
Library of Congress Celebrates GIS Day Focused on the 2020 Census
This year’s GIS Day at the Library of Congress, an event held annually during Geography Awareness Week, will focus on the 2020 Census, which provides a snapshot of American demographics like no other geospatial sources available. Geography is a cornerstone of the census and geographic information systems help map and analyze the spatial distribution of people, goods, programs and services. GIS offers real-world applications…
Date:2021-11-12
November 9, 2021
(21-067)
Librarian of Congress Appoints 44 Experts to National Film Preservation Board
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today announced the latest appointments to the 44-member National Film Preservation Board. The board advises Hayden on annual selections to the National Film Registry as well as national film preservation policy.The National Film Preservation Board began work when President Ronald Reagan signed the National Film Preservation Act of 1988.The 44-person board represents many parts of the film community, including…
Date:2021-11-10
November 9, 2021
(21-070)
Danielle Allen to Receive Kluge Prize, Deliver Address on Educating for Democracy
On Tuesday, Nov. 16, Danielle Allen, the James Bryant Conant University Professor and Director of the Democratic Knowledge Project at Harvard University, will accept the John W. Kluge Prize for the Study of Humanity in a livestreamed gala from the Great Hall of the Library of Congress.The livestream will begin at 6:30 p.m., and can be found at this link.Allen will deliver an address…
Date:2021-11-10
November 8, 2021
(21-A01)
Holiday Closure Schedule Nov. 2021 - Jan. 2022
The Library of Congress will be closed to the public and researchers on the following Federal holidays beginning November 2021 through January 2022. Thursday, November 11 (Veterans’ Day)Thursday, November 25 (Thanksgiving)Friday, December 24 (Christmas Eve/Christmas Day observed)Saturday, December 25 (Christmas Day)Friday December 31 (New Year’s Eve/ New Year’s Day observed)Saturday, January 1, 2022 (New Year’s Day)Monday, January 17, 2022 (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.…
Date:2021-11-09
November 7, 2021
(21-068)
Librarian of Congress Names Interim Chief Copyright Royalty Judge
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today announced her selection of Judge Suzanne Barnett as interim Chief Copyright Royalty Judge and head of the Copyright Royalty Board effective today. Barnett is replacing Chief Judge Jesse Feder who is stepping down from the position which he has held since 2019. A vacancy announcement seeking applicants for the permanent position will be issued in the near future."I…
Date:2021-11-08
October 31, 2021
(21-066)
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo and New Resources from the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress will mark Native American Heritage Month with a pair of programs featuring U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo and the launch of a new guide to help educators incorporate Harjo’s signature project as a resource in classrooms across the country.Poet Laureate Joy Harjo and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland Discuss Poetry To mark the start of Native American Heritage Month in November,…
Date:2021-11-01
October 2021
October 27, 2021
(21-063)
Library of Congress Acquires Rare Book Collection from American Foundation for the Blind
The Library of Congress has acquired the M.C. Migel Memorial Rare Book Collection from the American Foundation for the Blind, comprised of more than 750 items dating from 1617 to the present, including books by and about Hellen Keller and other blind authors. The collection is a treasure trove of seminal books on blindness, maps, rare pamphlets and many volumes of poetry, biographies and…
Date:2021-10-28
October 25, 2021
(21-065)
“Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit” Wins 2021 Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize; “Free Chol Soo Lee” Runner-Up
The Better Angels Society, a non-profit dedicated to the exploration of American history through documentary film, today announced the documentary film “Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit,” directed by Sam Katz and James McGovern, is the winner of the 2021 Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film. The filmmakers will receive finishing funding of $200,000.“Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit,” explores…
Date:2021-10-26
October 19, 2021
(21-064)
Gems of Comic Art Collection Featured in New Library of Congress Exhibition
A new exhibition at the Library of Congress explores how comic books have permeated popular entertainment and influenced U.S. culture, highlighting selections from the Stephen A. Geppi Collection that was generously donated to the national library in 2018.“Geppi Gems” is now open in the Library’s Graphic Arts Gallery through mid-March 2022. A second rotation with different items is planned for spring 2022. The exhibition…
Date:2021-10-20
October 11, 2021
(21-061)
Library Announces Teaching with Primary Sources Grant Recipients
The Library of Congress has announced the selection of 85 organizations that will receive approximately $4.25 million in grants through its Teaching with Primary Sources program.These organizations will connect the Library to diverse learner communities across the United States by delivering educational programs, creating primary source-based educational materials and tools, conducting research, and convening gatherings of similar organizations to devise new strategies for furthering…
Date:2021-10-12
October 6, 2021
(21-060)
Library Seeks Applicants for the 2022 Junior Fellows Program
The Library of Congress is seeking applicants for its next Junior Fellows Summer Internship Program, which will run from May 23, 2022, to July 29, 2022. This 10-week paid internship is open to undergraduate and graduate students interested in learning and conducting research at the largest library in the world. For the third year in a row, the internship will be conducted virtually. The…
Date:2021-10-07
October 5, 2021
(21-062)
Library of Congress National Book Festival Draws More Than 317,000 Views
Book lovers joined the Library of Congress National Book Festival from across the country over 10 days this year, totaling more than 317,000 views to date across a variety of platforms, including virtual events with authors and videos on demand. The festival reached even more people through a national television special, new podcast interviews and events hosted by partners across the country.The festival, held…
Date:2021-10-06
October 4, 2021
(21-058)
Library of Congress Launches Season 2 of La Biblioteca Podcast
As part of the celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month, today the Library of Congress launched Season 2 of La Biblioteca podcast, a six-part series titled Exploring Latinx Civil Rights in the United States, which zeros in on seminal civil rights cases and events.The English-language series derives from A Latinx Resource Guide: Civil Rights Cases and Events in the United States, created by Hermán Luis…
Date:2021-10-05
September 2021
September 29, 2021
(21-059)
Library of Congress Rings in New School Year with Albert Einstein Fellows
The Library of Congress has announced it will host two Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows for the 2021-2022 school year. Fellows will work closely with the Library’s Professional Learning and Outreach Initiatives Office to make primary sources from the Library’s collections more accessible and useful for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) educators throughout the United States.Lesley Anderson, a high school science and mathematics…
Date:2021-09-30
September 27, 2021
(21-057)
Law Library of Congress and Government Publishing Office Digitize Records of Congress, Release First Selected Volumes Online
The Law Library of Congress, in collaboration with the U.S. Government Publishing Office, has digitized 287 volumes of the United States Congressional Serial Set and made them available on the Library’s website.The release is part of a decade-long partnership to digitize more than 15,000 volumes of the U.S. Congressional Serial Set — the reports and documents of the House and Senate, including proposed legislation,…
Date:2021-09-28
September 19, 2021
(21-056)
Jason Reynolds to Serve Third Year as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature
The Library of Congress and Every Child a Reader have announced that Jason Reynolds’s term as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature will be extended to include a third year — for the first time in the history of the program.Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Reynolds connected virtually with thousands of students in rural areas of the country to engage in meaningful discussions. In 2022,…
Date:2021-09-20
September 14, 2021
(21-055)
Connecting Communities Digital Initiative Announces Three New Grant Opportunities
Individuals and educational and cultural institutions who seek to amplify the stories of communities of color are invited to apply to new grant opportunities through the Of the People: Widening the Path Connecting Communities Digital Initiative at the Library of Congress.Of the People is a new, multi-part initiative funded by a $15 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to enable the Library…
Date:2021-09-15
September 12, 2021
(21-054)
Library of Congress Names New IT Leadership
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden has appointed Judith Conklin as the chief information officer of the Library of Congress and John Rutledge the deputy chief information officer. The two executives will serve as the Library’s senior information technology experts, ensuring technology operations are aligned with the Library’s strategic plan. Conklin will also serve as the primary adviser to the Librarian of Congress on all…
Date:2021-09-13
September 9, 2021
(21-053)
Library of Congress National Book Festival Announces Children’s and Teens Author Lineup
The 2021 Library of Congress National Book Festival will include an extraordinary lineup of authors for children, teens and kids of all ages – all featured in videos on demand accessible from the start of the festival, which runs Sept. 17-26.Five children’s authors and five teen authors will also participate in live, online Q&A events Sept. 25 and 26. Subscribe to the National Book…
Date:2021-09-10
September 9, 2021
(21-052)
Fall Concerts from the Library Announced for the 2021-22 Season
The Library of Congress has announced a full lineup of events for the fall series of the 2021-2022 “Concerts from the Library of Congress” season. The virtual events will be complemented by conversations, lectures, curator talks and educational programs that reflect the diversity of the nation’s musical heritage.Consistent with social distancing and safety protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fall series is…
Date:2021-09-10
September 8, 2021
(21-050)
Nine Culture and Technology Experts Join Library of Congress Connecting Communities Digital Initiative Advisory Board
Nine experts in technology, cultural memory, libraries and archives have signed on to serve as the advisory board for the Connecting Communities Digital Initiative, a key component of the new initiative Of the People: Widening the Path at the Library of Congress. Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, this initiative aims to connect the Library more deeply with Black, Indigenous and other communities…
Date:2021-09-09
September 7, 2021
(21-049)
Library of Congress Announces Winners of 2021 Literacy Awards on International Literacy Day
Three organizations working to expand literacy and promote reading will be awarded the 2021 Library of Congress Literacy Awards, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today. Top prizes are being awarded to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, the Parents as Teachers National Center and the Luminos Fund.The Literacy Awards, originated by David M. Rubenstein in 2013, honor organizations doing exemplary, innovative and replicable work. The…
Date:2021-09-08
September 6, 2021
(21-051)
National Book Festival to Feature Two Programs on Washington Post Live
The Washington Post and the Library of Congress today announced a collaboration to host two National Book Festival programs on Washington Post Live to kick off the festival on Sept. 17. The festival runs through Sept. 26.To mark the start of this year’s festival, audiences are invited to tune in to Washington Post Live for live-streamed conversations with two notable voices.Friday, Sept. 17 11…
Date:2021-09-07
September 1, 2021
(21-048)
Library of Congress and NPR Announce National Book Festival Podcast Series
NPR and the Library of Congress are proud to announce a collaboration between the National Book Festival and several of NPR’s most popular podcasts. NPR journalists always interview authors at the Festival and will continue to do so, but this year for the first time, there will be an interview series with National Book Festival authors publishing across NPR’s podcast feeds as part of…
Date:2021-09-02
August 31, 2021
(21-047)
Library of Congress Releases Data for Free Download and Discovery
The Library of Congress announced today its third release of records in its online catalog for free bulk download for research and discovery. The release supports the Library’s effort to continuously expand open access to its vast collections.This MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging Records) release surpasses previous releases and adds more than 200,000 new records to the existing 25 million record database.Releases of MARC data…
Date:2021-09-01
August 2021
August 29, 2021
(21-046)
Library of Congress Appoints New Chief of Latin American, Caribbean and European Division
The Library of Congress has appointed Suzanne Schadl as the chief of the Latin American, Caribbean and European Division. Schadl brings more than 25 years of experience as a scholar, educator, and librarian in library leadership and international studies.Since 2018, Schadl has served as Chief of the Hispanic Division at the Library of Congress, where she led efforts to successfully rebrand the Archive of…
Date:2021-08-30
August 24, 2021
(21-043)
Library of Congress and Harvard University Form Historic Collaboration on Islamic Law Collections
The Library of Congress and Harvard Law School have initiated an unprecedented, multifaceted joint collaboration to identify, select and assess the copyright status of materials focusing on national legal gazettes.The effort, initially set for three years, will coordinate access to, knowledge-sharing, and legal analysis of Library of Congress’ collections related to Islamic law, including national legal gazettes, manuscripts and other materials. It will also…
Date:2021-08-25
August 23, 2021
(21-045)
Library of Congress National Book Festival Announces Schedule of Events
The 2021 Library of Congress National Book Festival will feature more than 100 authors, poets and writers in a range of formats — all celebrating the festival theme, “Open a Book, Open the World.” The 2021 virtual festival programs will roll out over 10 days in an extended schedule Sept. 17-26.The schedule of programs is now available on loc.gov/bookfest. The 2021 festival will invite…
Date:2021-08-24
August 16, 2021
(21-044)
LeVar Burton to Host TV Special Featuring Library of Congress National Book Festival on PBS
Television viewers can see an inspiring introduction to the 2021 Library of Congress National Book Festival and its exciting lineup of authors, poets and writers in a one-hour special this September on PBS.“Open a Book, Open the World: The Library of Congress National Book Festival,” hosted by LeVar Burton, will premiere Sunday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org…
Date:2021-08-17
August 11, 2021
(21-042)
Librarian of Congress Announces Three Executive Appointments
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today announced three top leadership appointments that together bring decades of experience in the field of library advocacy, services, management, and planning.Jason Broughton will serve as Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Aslihan Bulut has been appointed as Law Librarian of Congress, and Robin Dale has been named Deputy Librarian for Library Collections…
Date:2021-08-12
August 2, 2021
(21-041)
Library of Congress to Host Congress.gov Public Forum
On Thursday, Sept. 2, the Library of Congress will host a virtual public forum to provide an update on the latest enhancements to Congress.gov and to gather feedback about the site, which serves as the official, authoritative source for federal legislative information.Building on the public forum hosted in September 2020, participants will hear from Library technology specialists, legislative information experts and data partners from…
Date:2021-08-03
July 2021
July 28, 2021
(21-040)
Speculative Annotation Invites Public to Interact with Digitized Collections at the Library of Congress
Students, educators and learners of all ages are invited to interact with select items in the Library’s collections with the launch of Speculative Annotation, the latest experiment from LC Labs.Created by artist and 2021 Innovator in Residence Courtney McClellan, Speculative Annotation is an open-source dynamic web application and public art project. The app presents a unique mini collection of free-to-use items from the Library…
Date:2021-07-29
July 22, 2021
(21-039)
Library of Congress Offers Grants to Support Contemporary Cultural Field Research within Diverse Communities
The Library of Congress is offering a new series of grants to individuals and organizations working to document cultures and traditions of Black, Indigenous, and communities of color traditionally underrepresented in the United States. The Community Collections grants from the Library’s American Folklife Center will enable many to document their cultural life and experiences from their own perspectives, while enriching the Library’s holdings with…
Date:2021-07-23
July 5, 2021
(21-037)
Library of Congress Adds ‘A Century of Lawmaking’ to Congress.gov
The Library of Congress announced today that U.S. congressional records dating back to the days of printing presses and the telegraph are now easily accessible on mobile devices. With this latest update of Congress.gov — the official website for U.S. federal legislative information — the Library has transitioned over 33,000 bills and resolutions crafted by Congress between 1799 and 1873 (the 6th to 42nd…
Date:2021-07-06
June 2021
June 29, 2021
(21-035)
Joy Williams to Receive 2021 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today that the 2021 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction will be awarded to Joy Williams, who is receiving the prize for a lifetime of outstanding work.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…
Date:2021-06-30
June 23, 2021
(21-036)
Library of Congress to Celebrate the Return of Visitors to the Thomas Jefferson Building in July
The Library of Congress will re-open its doors to visitors with free but limited timed and ticketed entry three days a week, starting on Thursday, July 15. Guests will be able to explore the spectacular Thomas Jefferson Building and several exhibits, including Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words, Shall Not Be Denied: Women Fight For the Vote, Thomas Jefferson’s Library, Exploring the Early Americas,…
Date:2021-06-24
June 21, 2021
(21-034)
Library of Congress Announces Copyright Public Modernization Committee
The Library of Congress announced today the membership of the new Copyright Public Modernization Committee (CPMC), which is being convened to enhance communication and provide a public forum for the technology-related aspects of the U.S. Copyright Office’s modernization initiative. The first CPMC meeting will be hosted by the Library on July 22, 2021.As announced in the Federal Register in February 2021, the CPMC is…
Date:2021-06-22
June 20, 2021
(21-033)
Library to Present 4th Annual Summer Movies on the Lawn
The Library of Congress will host its fourth annual “Summer Movies on the Lawn” outdoor film festival this summer, starting on July 15. The series of five movies, which showcases iconic films from the Library’s National Film Registry, will be presented on Thursday evenings at sundown between July 15 and Aug. 12 on the north lawn of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building, across the…
Date:2021-06-21
June 20, 2021
(21-030)
New Book Explores Views of Japan Over Time through American Children’s Books
Beginning in the 19th century, children’s books provided American readers with their first impressions of Japan. Packed with fascinating details about daily life in a distant land, these publications often presented a mixture of facts, stereotypes and complete fabrications.“Japan and American Children’s Books: A Journey” documents the evolving portrayal of Japan in American children’s books over nearly 200 years, highlighting the shift from fanciful…
Date:2021-06-21
June 16, 2021
(21-032)
Renowned Digital Humanities Researchers Begin Computing Cultural Heritage in the Cloud
Three renowned researchers in digital humanities and computer science are joining forces with the Library of Congress on three inaugural Computing Cultural Heritage in the Cloud projects, exploring how biblical quotations, photographic styles and “fuzzy searches” reveal more about the collections in the world’s largest Library than first meets the eye.Supported by a $1 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded in…
December 13, 2021 (21-078)‘Return of the Jedi’ Among 25 Eclectic Films Joining 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 epic trilogies, major roles for Jennifer Lopez and Cicely Tyson, extraordinary animated features, comedy and music, and films…
December 8, 2021 (21-079)New Book Explores the Legacy of Dante Alighieri’s “The Divine Comedy” Dante Alighieri’s Italian narrative poem, “The Divine Comedy” has been one of the foundational texts of European literature for over 700 years. This richly layered literary work has been interpreted in many different ways over the centuries. Yet, many mysteries still remain about its symbolism.In the new book, “The Unexpected Dante: Perspectives on the Divine Comedy,” five leading scholars offer fresh perspectives on the…
November 30, 2021 (21-073)Library of Congress, National Park Service Announce 2021 Holland Prize Winner The Library of Congress and the National Park Service announced today that the 2021 Leicester B. Holland Prize will be presented to a student at the University of Notre Dame for a drawing of the historic St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, the church’s original name, in Kendallville, Indiana. The Holland Prize honors an outstanding historic building, structure or landscape drawing.The prize was awarded to…
November 29, 2021 (21-072)Library of Congress Celebrates Successful Literacy Practices with New Video and Four-Part Webinar Series The 2021 Library of Congress Literacy Award Winners and Honorees are featured in a new video available on the Library’s website, and representatives from all of the selected organizations will participate in a four-part webinar series that will debut this winter. The Literacy Awards, originated by David M. Rubenstein in 2013, honor organizations working to promote literacy and reading in the United States and…
November 14, 2021 (21-071)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 national awards for federal librarianship in fiscal year 2021.For nomination materials, visit the Awards section of the FEDLINK website or send…
November 11, 2021 (21-069)Library of Congress Celebrates GIS Day Focused on the 2020 Census This year’s GIS Day at the Library of Congress, an event held annually during Geography Awareness Week, will focus on the 2020 Census, which provides a snapshot of American demographics like no other geospatial sources available. Geography is a cornerstone of the census and geographic information systems help map and analyze the spatial distribution of people, goods, programs and services. GIS offers real-world applications…
November 9, 2021 (21-067)Librarian of Congress Appoints 44 Experts to National Film Preservation Board Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today announced the latest appointments to the 44-member National Film Preservation Board. The board advises Hayden on annual selections to the National Film Registry as well as national film preservation policy.The National Film Preservation Board began work when President Ronald Reagan signed the National Film Preservation Act of 1988.The 44-person board represents many parts of the film community, including…
November 9, 2021 (21-070)Danielle Allen to Receive Kluge Prize, Deliver Address on Educating for Democracy On Tuesday, Nov. 16, Danielle Allen, the James Bryant Conant University Professor and Director of the Democratic Knowledge Project at Harvard University, will accept the John W. Kluge Prize for the Study of Humanity in a livestreamed gala from the Great Hall of the Library of Congress.The livestream will begin at 6:30 p.m., and can be found at this link.Allen will deliver an address…
October 31, 2021 (21-066)Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo and New Resources from the Library of Congress The Library of Congress will mark Native American Heritage Month with a pair of programs featuring U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo and the launch of a new guide to help educators incorporate Harjo’s signature project as a resource in classrooms across the country.Poet Laureate Joy Harjo and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland Discuss Poetry To mark the start of Native American Heritage Month in November,…
October 25, 2021 (21-065)“Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit” Wins 2021 Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize; “Free Chol Soo Lee” Runner-Up The Better Angels Society, a non-profit dedicated to the exploration of American history through documentary film, today announced the documentary film “Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit,” directed by Sam Katz and James McGovern, is the winner of the 2021 Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film. The filmmakers will receive finishing funding of $200,000.“Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit,” explores…
October 19, 2021 (21-064)Gems of Comic Art Collection Featured in New Library of Congress Exhibition A new exhibition at the Library of Congress explores how comic books have permeated popular entertainment and influenced U.S. culture, highlighting selections from the Stephen A. Geppi Collection that was generously donated to the national library in 2018.“Geppi Gems” is now open in the Library’s Graphic Arts Gallery through mid-March 2022. A second rotation with different items is planned for spring 2022. The exhibition…
October 11, 2021 (21-061)Library Announces Teaching with Primary Sources Grant Recipients The Library of Congress has announced the selection of 85 organizations that will receive approximately $4.25 million in grants through its Teaching with Primary Sources program.These organizations will connect the Library to diverse learner communities across the United States by delivering educational programs, creating primary source-based educational materials and tools, conducting research, and convening gatherings of similar organizations to devise new strategies for furthering…
October 6, 2021 (21-060)Library Seeks Applicants for the 2022 Junior Fellows Program The Library of Congress is seeking applicants for its next Junior Fellows Summer Internship Program, which will run from May 23, 2022, to July 29, 2022. This 10-week paid internship is open to undergraduate and graduate students interested in learning and conducting research at the largest library in the world. For the third year in a row, the internship will be conducted virtually. The…
October 5, 2021 (21-062)Library of Congress National Book Festival Draws More Than 317,000 Views Book lovers joined the Library of Congress National Book Festival from across the country over 10 days this year, totaling more than 317,000 views to date across a variety of platforms, including virtual events with authors and videos on demand. The festival reached even more people through a national television special, new podcast interviews and events hosted by partners across the country.The festival, held…
October 4, 2021 (21-058)Library of Congress Launches Season 2 of La Biblioteca Podcast As part of the celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month, today the Library of Congress launched Season 2 of La Biblioteca podcast, a six-part series titled Exploring Latinx Civil Rights in the United States, which zeros in on seminal civil rights cases and events.The English-language series derives from A Latinx Resource Guide: Civil Rights Cases and Events in the United States, created by Hermán Luis…
September 29, 2021 (21-059)Library of Congress Rings in New School Year with Albert Einstein Fellows The Library of Congress has announced it will host two Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows for the 2021-2022 school year. Fellows will work closely with the Library’s Professional Learning and Outreach Initiatives Office to make primary sources from the Library’s collections more accessible and useful for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) educators throughout the United States.Lesley Anderson, a high school science and mathematics…
September 27, 2021 (21-057)Law Library of Congress and Government Publishing Office Digitize Records of Congress, Release First Selected Volumes Online The Law Library of Congress, in collaboration with the U.S. Government Publishing Office, has digitized 287 volumes of the United States Congressional Serial Set and made them available on the Library’s website.The release is part of a decade-long partnership to digitize more than 15,000 volumes of the U.S. Congressional Serial Set — the reports and documents of the House and Senate, including proposed legislation,…
September 19, 2021 (21-056)Jason Reynolds to Serve Third Year as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature The Library of Congress and Every Child a Reader have announced that Jason Reynolds’s term as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature will be extended to include a third year — for the first time in the history of the program.Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Reynolds connected virtually with thousands of students in rural areas of the country to engage in meaningful discussions. In 2022,…
September 14, 2021 (21-055)Connecting Communities Digital Initiative Announces Three New Grant Opportunities Individuals and educational and cultural institutions who seek to amplify the stories of communities of color are invited to apply to new grant opportunities through the Of the People: Widening the Path Connecting Communities Digital Initiative at the Library of Congress.Of the People is a new, multi-part initiative funded by a $15 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to enable the Library…
September 12, 2021 (21-054)Library of Congress Names New IT Leadership Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden has appointed Judith Conklin as the chief information officer of the Library of Congress and John Rutledge the deputy chief information officer. The two executives will serve as the Library’s senior information technology experts, ensuring technology operations are aligned with the Library’s strategic plan. Conklin will also serve as the primary adviser to the Librarian of Congress on all…
September 9, 2021 (21-052)Fall Concerts from the Library Announced for the 2021-22 Season The Library of Congress has announced a full lineup of events for the fall series of the 2021-2022 “Concerts from the Library of Congress” season. The virtual events will be complemented by conversations, lectures, curator talks and educational programs that reflect the diversity of the nation’s musical heritage.Consistent with social distancing and safety protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fall series is…
September 7, 2021 (21-049)Library of Congress Announces Winners of 2021 Literacy Awards on International Literacy Day Three organizations working to expand literacy and promote reading will be awarded the 2021 Library of Congress Literacy Awards, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today. Top prizes are being awarded to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, the Parents as Teachers National Center and the Luminos Fund.The Literacy Awards, originated by David M. Rubenstein in 2013, honor organizations doing exemplary, innovative and replicable work. The…
September 6, 2021 (21-051)National Book Festival to Feature Two Programs on Washington Post Live The Washington Post and the Library of Congress today announced a collaboration to host two National Book Festival programs on Washington Post Live to kick off the festival on Sept. 17. The festival runs through Sept. 26.To mark the start of this year’s festival, audiences are invited to tune in to Washington Post Live for live-streamed conversations with two notable voices.Friday, Sept. 17 11…
September 1, 2021 (21-048)Library of Congress and NPR Announce National Book Festival Podcast Series NPR and the Library of Congress are proud to announce a collaboration between the National Book Festival and several of NPR’s most popular podcasts. NPR journalists always interview authors at the Festival and will continue to do so, but this year for the first time, there will be an interview series with National Book Festival authors publishing across NPR’s podcast feeds as part of…
August 29, 2021 (21-046)Library of Congress Appoints New Chief of Latin American, Caribbean and European Division The Library of Congress has appointed Suzanne Schadl as the chief of the Latin American, Caribbean and European Division. Schadl brings more than 25 years of experience as a scholar, educator, and librarian in library leadership and international studies.Since 2018, Schadl has served as Chief of the Hispanic Division at the Library of Congress, where she led efforts to successfully rebrand the Archive of…
August 24, 2021 (21-043)Library of Congress and Harvard University Form Historic Collaboration on Islamic Law Collections The Library of Congress and Harvard Law School have initiated an unprecedented, multifaceted joint collaboration to identify, select and assess the copyright status of materials focusing on national legal gazettes.The effort, initially set for three years, will coordinate access to, knowledge-sharing, and legal analysis of Library of Congress’ collections related to Islamic law, including national legal gazettes, manuscripts and other materials. It will also…
August 16, 2021 (21-044)LeVar Burton to Host TV Special Featuring Library of Congress National Book Festival on PBS Television viewers can see an inspiring introduction to the 2021 Library of Congress National Book Festival and its exciting lineup of authors, poets and writers in a one-hour special this September on PBS.“Open a Book, Open the World: The Library of Congress National Book Festival,” hosted by LeVar Burton, will premiere Sunday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org…
August 11, 2021 (21-042)Librarian of Congress Announces Three Executive Appointments Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today announced three top leadership appointments that together bring decades of experience in the field of library advocacy, services, management, and planning.Jason Broughton will serve as Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Aslihan Bulut has been appointed as Law Librarian of Congress, and Robin Dale has been named Deputy Librarian for Library Collections…
July 28, 2021 (21-040)Speculative Annotation Invites Public to Interact with Digitized Collections at the Library of Congress Students, educators and learners of all ages are invited to interact with select items in the Library’s collections with the launch of Speculative Annotation, the latest experiment from LC Labs.Created by artist and 2021 Innovator in Residence Courtney McClellan, Speculative Annotation is an open-source dynamic web application and public art project. The app presents a unique mini collection of free-to-use items from the Library…
July 22, 2021 (21-039)Library of Congress Offers Grants to Support Contemporary Cultural Field Research within Diverse Communities The Library of Congress is offering a new series of grants to individuals and organizations working to document cultures and traditions of Black, Indigenous, and communities of color traditionally underrepresented in the United States. The Community Collections grants from the Library’s American Folklife Center will enable many to document their cultural life and experiences from their own perspectives, while enriching the Library’s holdings with…
July 5, 2021 (21-037)Library of Congress Adds ‘A Century of Lawmaking’ to Congress.gov The Library of Congress announced today that U.S. congressional records dating back to the days of printing presses and the telegraph are now easily accessible on mobile devices. With this latest update of Congress.gov — the official website for U.S. federal legislative information — the Library has transitioned over 33,000 bills and resolutions crafted by Congress between 1799 and 1873 (the 6th to 42nd…
June 29, 2021 (21-035)Joy Williams to Receive 2021 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today that the 2021 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction will be awarded to Joy Williams, who is receiving the prize for a lifetime of outstanding work.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…
June 23, 2021 (21-036)Library of Congress to Celebrate the Return of Visitors to the Thomas Jefferson Building in July The Library of Congress will re-open its doors to visitors with free but limited timed and ticketed entry three days a week, starting on Thursday, July 15. Guests will be able to explore the spectacular Thomas Jefferson Building and several exhibits, including Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words, Shall Not Be Denied: Women Fight For the Vote, Thomas Jefferson’s Library, Exploring the Early Americas,…
June 20, 2021 (21-033)Library to Present 4th Annual Summer Movies on the Lawn The Library of Congress will host its fourth annual “Summer Movies on the Lawn” outdoor film festival this summer, starting on July 15. The series of five movies, which showcases iconic films from the Library’s National Film Registry, will be presented on Thursday evenings at sundown between July 15 and Aug. 12 on the north lawn of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building, across the…
June 20, 2021 (21-030)New Book Explores Views of Japan Over Time through American Children’s Books Beginning in the 19th century, children’s books provided American readers with their first impressions of Japan. Packed with fascinating details about daily life in a distant land, these publications often presented a mixture of facts, stereotypes and complete fabrications.“Japan and American Children’s Books: A Journey” documents the evolving portrayal of Japan in American children’s books over nearly 200 years, highlighting the shift from fanciful…