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Archive: July 2015 (9 Posts)

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Five Questions with Meg McAleer, Senior Archives Specialist, Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Posted by: Danna Bell

I am a senior archives specialist in the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress. My title usually draws blank stares from people, so I follow it quickly with the analogy that an archivist is like an archeologist who works with paper. That declaration gets nods of understanding and interest.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Five Questions with Constance Carter, Head of the Science Reference Section at the Library of Congress

Posted by: Danna Bell

While I'm officially the Head of the Science Reference Section, I spend most of my time working with the collections, answering reference requests and creating webcasts, book displays, and bibliographies. I work with text-books, journals, diaries, cookbooks, reminiscences, biographies, magazines, pictures, electronic sources, manuscript materials, microforms, artifacts--everything you might expect to find in a Library. I especially like the 18th and 19th century materials and learning more about the daily lives of our forefathers--their foraging techniques, what they ate, how they cooked and cleaned, what they wore, and how they spent their time.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Staff Favorites: Flight is Possible

Posted by: Danna Bell

On May 13, 1900, using stationery of the Wright Cycle Company, Wilbur Wright handwrote a letter to fellow aviation pioneer Octave Chanute of Chicago, Illinois. I love this 5 page letter! It contains some of the very best human emotions--there is passion, optimism, tenacity, curiosity, and recognition that together we can solve big problems.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Five Questions with Carlin Rene Sayles, “The Map Teacher,” Library of Congress Geography and Map Division

Posted by: Danna Bell

In addition to my regular job, I volunteer to work with K-12 students who come to visit our division. During my presentation, I show the students the differences between their neighborhood or school library and a large map research library like the Library of Congress.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Let There be Fireworks…and Peace

Posted by: Danna Bell

When I found this image of Uncle Sam and John Bull embracing, I realized I'd found what I was looking for: two bitter enemies who fought a war over the United States of America, coming together as friends and finding common ground.