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Category: Books

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

The Big Lebowski Abides

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

My condition is in fantastic condition today – I’m pleased that “The Big Lebowski” made this year’s list of 25 films selected for placement on the Library of Congress National Film Registry. These movies are judged to have special cultural, historic or aesthetic value and to be worthy of preservation for posterity. Other noteworthy films …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

The Warrior Poet (a.k.a. Fellow Traveler No. 1)

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

Many larger-than-life figures have served as the Librarian of Congress.  As the Library once again plays host to that seminal document affirming the rule of law, Magna Carta, today we shine a spotlight on the man who was Librarian of Congress when the great charter first visited the Library – Archibald MacLeish. MacLeish, before his …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

A Book Festival for the Bird(er)s

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

David Allen Sibley – yes, the author of the recently updated “Sibley Guide to Birds,” that indispensable handbook on all things feathered – will appear at this year’s National Book Festival, Saturday, August 30 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. In addition to this most highly respected ornithologist, we will also welcome Sally Satel, …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Stay Up With a Good Book, Too —

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

The author lineup for the 2014 Library of Congress National Book Festival is growing all the time, building excitement for the free event being held Saturday, August 30 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Yes, that’s right, a 12-hour day in a new venue, with all the features …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Adiós, Gabo

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

One of the most popular features in the Library of Congress Pavilion at the Library’s National Book Festival is a whiteboard on which you can write the name of a book.  Some years we ask for your favorite book.  Some years we ask what book shaped the world.  People stand a few feet back, ponder, …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Stay Up With A Good Book

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

The Library of Congress National Book Festival, as you’ve no doubt heard, is going to a new place in 2014 — the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. — on Saturday, Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. As always, it will be free and open to the public, courtesy of the …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Ten Thousand Treasures

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

The World Digital Library – a website of world cultural treasures offered free of charge in seven languages to anyone on the planet with access to the Internet – has put up its 10,000th offering. It was part of a package, actually – a group of rare manuscripts from the collections of the Walters Art …