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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: 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: 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
Posted by: Erin Allen
The writing of Natasha Trethewey explores a past that often is unsettling – growing up biracial in 1960s Mississippi, the lives of forgotten African-American soldiers during the Civil War, the murder of her mother, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “When you begin to think about the past, you realize how much of it is lost …
Posted in: Poetry
Posted by: Erin Allen
May was a musical month with the Library of Congress recognizing song and sounds in a major way. The Library honored Burt Bacharach and Hal David with the 2012 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. You can read more about it here. The two were celebrated with concerts at both the Library and the White House. …
Posted in: Capitol Hill, Concerts, Events, Kluge Center, Music, News, Uncategorized
Posted by: Erin Allen
For the third consecutive year, special items from the Library of Congress’ Jewish American collections have been put on display at the White House. In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, President Barack Obama hosted a reception at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. on Wednesday evening. “Generations of Jewish Americans have brought to bear some of our …
Posted in: Abraham Lincoln, Collections, Events, Exhibitions, History, Jewish American History, Manuscripts