On the Passing of Sen. Paul Sarbanes

December 7, 2020 by Carla D. Hayden

Sen. Paul Sarbanes, right, with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden (then-executive director of the Enoch Pratt Free Library)

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Sen. Paul Sarbanes of Maryland.

In addition to his distinguished Congressional career, Sen. Sarbanes served with his wife Christine on the Enoch Pratt Free Library board in Baltimore and was a staunch supporter of literacy, an advocate for libraries, and a champion of lifelong learning. As Executive Director of the Pratt Library, I have enjoyed a long friendship with Sen. Sarbanes and his family and will remain immeasurably grateful for his support on my appointment as Librarian of Congress in 2016.

On behalf of the Library of Congress, we want to offer our deepest condolences and prayers to our congressional colleague, Rep. John Sarbanes, and to all of Sen. Sarbanes’ family.

The Mystery of Lincoln’s First Inauguration Photograph

November 20, 2019 by Neely Tucker

A conservator at the Library believes she has identified John Wood, an almost forgotten government photographer, as the man who took an iconic image of the first Lincoln inauguration.

Guest Column: Nancy Pelosi on Women’s Suffrage Anniversary

July 31, 2019 by Neely Tucker

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representataives, writes about the long struggle for women’s suffrage in an essay from the Library of Congress Magazine.

Pic of the Week: 19th Amendment Edition

June 7, 2019 by Neely Tucker

The LIbrary opened “Shall Not Be Denied,” a yearlong exhibit, on June 4, 2019, 100 years after the U.S. Senate ratified the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote.

Jeannette Rankin and “Shall Not Be Denied: Women Fight for the Vote”

June 4, 2019 by Neely Tucker

Jeannette Rankin led the way for women being elected to Capitol Hill, setting into play a century of change.

New CRS Content Now Online

March 8, 2019 by Carla D. Hayden

Less than half a year ago, I announced that the Library of Congress is providing Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports to the public for the first time. Since the launch of the CRS reports website, crsreports.congress.gov, the Library has made available all new or updated reports. Created for Congress by experts in CRS, the reports […]

Pic of the Week: Dr. Carla Hayden Testifies Before Congress

March 8, 2019 by Neely Tucker

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden testifies before the Senate Rule Committee, March 6, 2019.

Inquiring Minds: Olmsted Holdings Offer Blueprint for Preserving Historical Landscapes

July 31, 2018 by Wendi Maloney

Landscape historian Arleyn Levee first visited the Library’s Manuscript Reading Room in the early 1980s to consult the records of Frederick Law Olmsted and his firm. A 19th-century pioneer who developed the field of American landscape architecture, Olmsted shaped many notable sites throughout his career – New York’s Central Park, the U.S. Capitol grounds, the […]

This Day in History: Happy Birthday LOC!

April 24, 2018 by Wendi Maloney

Today, the Library of Congress celebrates its 218th birthday. On April 24, 1800, President John Adams approved an appropriation of $5,000 for the purchase of “such books as may be necessary for the use of [C]ongress.” The first books purchased were ordered from London and arrived in 1801. The collection of 740 volumes and three […]

Pic of the Week: “Princess Bride” Kicks Off Outdoor Film Series

July 14, 2017 by Wendi Maloney

Crowds gathered on the lawn of the Library’s Jefferson Building on July 13 to view “The Princess Bride,” undeterred by weather that was a little warm and humid, even for a Washington, D.C., summer evening. The outdoor screening kicked off a six-film series, “LOC Summer Movies on the Lawn,” showcasing modern classics that have been […]