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Archive: December 2018 (7 Posts)

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Spotlight on Humorous Poetry

Posted by: Peter Armenti

The following guest post, part of our “Teacher’s Corner” series, is by Rebecca Newland, a Fairfax County Public Schools Librarian and former Teacher in Residence at the Library of Congress. Last month I wrote in support of engaging students with literary analysis, which asks them to use critical thinking and close reading skills. These skills …

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From Fiction to Film: “The Greatest Gift” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Posted by: Peter Armenti

The following is a guest post by Elizabeth Brown, a reference librarian/digital reference specialist in the Library’s Researcher and Reference Services Division. A related exhibit, From The Greatest Gift to It’s a Wonderful Life, is currently on display through January 30 on the second floor of the Great Hall in the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building. …

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A Visit from St. Nicholas…and the Librarian of Congress

Posted by: Peter Armenti

Yesterday, Library employees and visitors alike—including dozens of children who will soon have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads—gathered in the Thomas Jefferson Building’s Great Hall to commemorate the winter holidays Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. After the LC Chorale opened the day’s celebrations with a festive series of songs, it was time for …

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“American Conversations” in Maine

Posted by: Anne Holmes

The following guest post is by Guy Lamolinara, communications officer in the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress. This post accompanies online content just added to the “American Conversations” website for Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith’s visit to Maine from November 1-2, 2018.  Having had the privilege of traveling with the “American Conversations” …

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New “Poetry of America” Recordings: Muriel Rukeyser and Lisa Jarnot

Posted by: Anne Holmes

Here’s a treat for your poetry-craving brain: We’ve just added two new audio recordings to our “Poetry of America” series. As of today, you can now tune in to hear Linda Gregerson discuss Muriel Rukeyser’s “Poem Out of Childhood,” and Elizabeth Willis as she explores Lisa Jarnot’s “The Bridge.” First launched in 2013 as a counterpart …

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Poetry Sleuthing 101: Searching the Deep Web

Posted by: Peter Armenti

Nearly every day I receive questions from readers trying to track down a poem they read years ago whose title and author they’ve forgotten. Typically, they recall a few words or phrases from the poem, the approximate year in which they read the poem, and little else. They also usually indicate that they’ve conducted numerous …

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Jorie Graham, 2018 Bobbitt Prize Winner

Posted by: Anne Holmes

This Thursday, December 6, at the Library of Congress, Jorie Graham will receive the 2018 Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry and read selections from her 2017 winning collection Fast. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Mumford Room on the sixth floor of the James Madison Memorial Building. Free tickets are still …