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Due to Congressional action, Federal Government operations resumed on Thursday, November 13. Library of Congress buildings are open to the public, researchers and staff.

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Category: Poetry

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

Author as Superstar

Posted by: Erin Allen

(This post comes to us from Taru Spiegel, reference specialist in the European Division, which is cosponsoring the event along with the Poetry and Literature Center.) What does a serious, award-winning author do when he is chosen “sexiest man of the year” by a leading women’s magazine? (He received the accolades from ELLE Norway in …

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

Read Poets Society

Posted by: Erin Allen

April marks National Poetry Month, a time for poets and lovers of poetry everywhere to unite, recite and delight in the art and in those who have created it. The annual commemoration was inaugurated in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets. Some of my favorite poets include Byron, Tennyson, Yeats and Neruda. And I …

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

A Paycheck, and a Gut-Check

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

For poets, verse is their work. But for poet Philip Levine, work is the stuff of poetry. Levine — named the 18th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2011-2012 today by the Librarian of Congress — has been known for decades as the bard of the “working stiffs,” the people who actively toil for their …

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

A Wall-to-Wall Weekend of Wow

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

The lineup for the 2011 National Book Festival – going to two days this year for the first time – continues to grow, with information on scores of authors, video clips of authors and book-lovers, and a “countdown clock” among the features of the festival website now live. Always a family-friendly event, this year’s festival …

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

Your Authoritative Source for … Authors!

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

The author list, to date, for the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival on Sept. 24 and 25 on the National Mall (that’s right – two days this year) is bursting with talent – and we’re not even done filling all the slots yet! Who’s coming? Nobel- and Pulitzer Prize-winner Toni Morrison; Pulitzer Prize-winners Siddhartha …

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

All That Jazz … and Humor, Opera, Dance Music …

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

Today the Library of Congress, in conjunction with Sony Music Entertainment, launched a website – “the National Jukebox” – that streams 10,000 sound recordings from the historic Victor Records collection.  It’s a fun and fascinating ramble for anyone who loves American music and wants to dig down into the roots of jazz, opera, a vast …

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

New Laurels for the 16th Laureate

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

Kay Ryan, the 16th Poet Laureate of the United States (2008-2010) and a person of wry wisdom, today won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry. Hear, hear! Specifically, the prize was for her book “The Best of It: New and Selected Poems” (Grove Press).  The Pulitzer people described the book this way: “a body of work …

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

“I Am Joaquin” Shall Endure

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

Today the Librarian of Congress named the 25 films that will comprise the National Film Registry’s entries for the year 2010.  These are films that have cultural, historical or aesthetic significance that warrants their preservation for posterity.  All in all, there are 550 films in the registry. Although there is great variety in this year’s …