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Posted by: Erin Allen
When I was a kid, my dad went to Hawaii for work and brought back grass skirts and shell necklaces for me and my sister. I can remember prancing about the house mimicking what I thought at the time was a hula dance, likely influenced by watching too much “Fantasy Island.” According to the International …
Posted in: American Folklife Center, Capitol Hill, Concerts, Events, Music, Photos, Pic of the Week, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
This month marks the 10th anniversary of the Ask a Librarian reference service. Through the service, users from around the world can submit online reference questions to the Library and receive responses from Library staff. On average, the reference staff receives more than 58,000 inquiries per year. In 2011, more than 62,000 inquiries were received …
Posted in: Education, LC Web site
Posted by: Jennifer Gavin
In conjunction with the Monday launch of an exhibition at the Library of Congress titled “Books That Shaped America” as part of its overarching Celebration of the Book, the Library of Congress is making public a list of 88 books by Americans that, it can be argued, shaped the nation over its lifetime. It’s not …
Posted in: Books, Collections, Education, Events, Exhibitions, History, LC Web site, Libraries, Photos, Poetry
Posted by: Jennifer Gavin
On Monday (June 25) at the Library of Congress – in a conference anybody can attend, free of charge – the contributions of a congressman you’ve probably never heard of, but really should know about, will be explored. Justin Morrill of Vermont may never be as well-known as his executive-branch supporter in these endeavors, Abraham …
Posted in: Abraham Lincoln, Capitol Hill, Civil War, Education, Events, History, Libraries, Manuscripts, Science, Uncategorized
Posted by: Erin Allen
On Monday, the Library of Congress announced its recent acquisition of audio interviews from of our most celebrated music icons courtesy of retired music executive Joe Smith. More than 230 hours of recorded interviews feature the likes of Bo Diddley, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and others discussing all manners of things, from their …
Posted in: Audiovisual, Collections, Music
Posted by: Erin Allen
The Library of Congress this month will celebrate the legacy of a man who helped bring higher education to millions of Americans and who played a key role in the creation of one of the nation’s most splendid pieces of architecture – the Jefferson Building. On June 25, the Library plays host to a conference that …
Posted in: Congress, Education, Events, History, Science, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
In addition to today being Flag Day (you can read more about that here), June 14 is also Family History Day. This actually makes me think of my dad, who has become quite the budding genealogist. Over the last several months, he has been extensively researching our family tree. Apparently one of my very distant …
Posted in: Books, Capitol Hill, Collections, Genealogy, Thomas Jefferson Building, Today in History, Washington DC
Posted by: Jennifer Gavin
When it comes to priceless art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has quite a bit, including a trove of Raphaels. But the Library of Congress (on its National Book Festival site, now live at www.loc.gov/bookfest) has a new Rafael López National Book Festival poster for 2012 that’s priceless, too – because you …
Posted in: Blogging, Books, Capitol Hill, Education, Events, LC Web site, National Book Festival, News, Social Media, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
In addition to the Library of Congress blog that you’re reading right now, the institution has brought several other blogs into the fold. And, let me tell you, they are writing about some great things. From time to time, I hope to give a shout out to these blogs and direct your attention to what …
Posted in: Blogging, Collections, Congress Blogs, Law Library, LC Web site, Music, Photos, Poetry, Preservation, Science, Social Media