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Posted by: Erin Allen
Calling all readers, the new Library of Congress National Book Festival blog launched this week! It’s one of the many ways that we will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of the nation’s premier celebration of books and reading. This year’s festival will take place during Labor Day weekend on Saturday, September 5, 2015, at the Walter …
Posted in: Blogging, Books, Events, National Book Festival, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
The printing press that helped spread world-changing ideas of revolution, liberty and self-governance through early America grew from a humble beginning: a small, error-filled book of religious devotion, produced by a locksmith for settlers forging a home in the North American wilderness. A new Library of Congress exhibition explores early printing in the American colonies, …
Posted in: Books, Capitol Hill, Collections, Congress, Curators, Exhibitions, History, Manuscripts, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
Rosa Parks is known as a pioneer of the civil rights movement, a heroine for her courage of convictions. Yet, few knew the other side of her life – one spent as a devoted mother figure to her nieces and nephews. One such niece, Sheila McCauley Keys, was at the Library last week to remember …
Posted in: Books, Capitol Hill, Collections, Events, Manuscripts, Photos, Pic of the Week, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
Last week, the Library hosted the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation for its annual “We Write the Songs” concert, featuring the songwriters performing and telling the stories behind their own music. Taking the stage to perform some of their most notable music were Ne-Yo, Natalie Merchant (also formerly of 10,000 Maniacs), Donald Fagan …
Posted in: Capitol Hill, Concerts, Events, Music, Photos, Pic of the Week, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
April headlines covered a wide range of stories about the Library of Congress. The Library recently acquired a collection of rare Civil War stereographs from Robin Stanford, and 87-year-old Texas grandmother and avid collector. “The images are rich and incredibly detailed,” wrote reporter Michael Scotto for New York 1. Michael E. Ruane of The Washington Post …
Posted in: Civil War, Collections, Exhibitions, History, Libraries, Music, News, Newspapers, Photos, Poetry, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
The Library of Congress is taking its collections out to the ballgame, reaching a new audience in a new venue. The Washington Nationals in April opened an exhibition at Nationals Park that, through Library photos, explores baseball’s roots and celebrates the game’s traditions – especially in the nation’s capital. “Baseball Americana from the Library of …
Posted in: Baseball, Collections, Exhibitions, History, Photos, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
A Message from the Librarian Today, on the Library of Congress’s 215th anniversary, I want especially to congratulate the Library’s extraordinary staff for their work in building this amazing, one-of-a-kind institution. I am, and always will be, deeply grateful for all they do. The heart and soul of this great library always has been its …
Posted in: Capitol Hill, Collections, Congress, Copyright, Education, Libraries, Preservation, Thomas Jefferson Building, Today in History, Veterans History Project, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
This month marks the 150th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. The 16th president was shot by John Wilkes Booth the evening of April 14 and died nine hours later on April 15. Several days later, Lincoln’s body would begin its long train-trek home to Springfield, Ill., where he would be buried on …
Posted in: Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, Collections, Events, Exhibitions, History, Manuscripts, News, Newspapers, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
Headlining Library of Congress news for March was the announcement of new selections to the National Recording Registry. Time called this year’s selections the “most American playlist ever.” “If the Smithsonian is America’s attic, the National Recording Registry is the dusty box of records that America’s parents left up there,” wrote reporter Ryan Teague Beckwith. …
Posted in: Abraham Lincoln, Books, Collections, Exhibitions, Music, News, Newspapers, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington DC