Through this blog, staff of the Prints and Photographs Division connect virtually with readers every week with stories about our collections. In the course of this past year, we have tried out new ways to reach out virtually while we are unable to meet in person. To this end, staff throughout the Library have created many hours of virtual orientations, lectures and webinars, and more are on the way.
Our newest virtual offering takes its cue from a longtime series in Picture This called “Double Take.” In that series, we take a deep dive into an image, often spurred by an initial question. Along the way, we convey tips and techniques for uncovering unknown details, hidden stories and more. The idea behind “Double Take” is going live, as well as expanding to include additional staff and new content, thanks to a partnership with our Library colleagues in the Professional Learning and Outreach Initiatives Office. The series kicks off next week, on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 4:00 pm ET.
Read on for several opportunities to interact with and learn from staff of the Prints and Photographs Division, including ongoing virtual orientations and this new series of webinars.
Double Take Series:
The “Double Take” series invites participants to join specialists from the Library’s Prints and Photographs Division, to explore and unravel some of the mystery of intriguing images from the collections. Along the way, the experts will share research strategies, visual literacy techniques, and answer questions.
January 28, 2021 – 4-5PM ET
“White House or Not?”
Kristi Finefield, Reference Specialist, Prints and Photographs Division
Join Reference Specialist Kristi Finefield to look closely at a photo from the Library’s collections, to apply visual literacy and photo research techniques, and finally to answer the question: is this the White House or not?
February 18, 2021 – 4-5PM ET
“Why Was This Picture Made?”
Sara Duke, Curator, Prints and Photographs Division
When examining pictures of the past, sometimes asking the question of “Why?” leads one down an unexpected path. In this session, Sara Duke, Curator of Popular & Applied Graphic Art, will invite participants on an exploration of an image from the Library’s collections, with that question in mind.
March 25, 2021 – 4-5PM ET
“When Was This Photograph Taken?”
Kristi Finefield, Reference Specialist, Prints and Photographs Division
What clues can you use to determine when a picture was made or a photo was taken? In this session, Reference Specialist Kristi Finefield walks attendees through the process of determining the date range of an aerial photograph of Washington, D.C.
April 29, 2021 – 4-5PM ET
“How Should We Index This Image?”
Arden Alexander, Cataloging Specialist, Prints and Photographs Division & Libby McKiernan, Processing Technician, Prints and Photographs Division
Join Cataloging Specialist Arden Alexander and Processing Technician Libby McKiernan on an exploration of the Library of Congress Thesaurus for Graphic Materials (TGM), to learn approaches to describing images, using topical terms, plus ways you can use the TGM for your personal or work collections. The specialists will also invite participants to index some images from the Library’s collections with them.
Visit the Webinars and Workshops page for more details about the sessions and to register.
Prints & Photographs Virtual Orientations:
For years, reference staff have offered in-person orientations to research in the Prints and Photographs Reading Room, and we have partnered with our curatorial colleagues to take this show on the virtual road, so to speak. Next up:
“Prints & Photographs Virtual Orientation: Basic Printmaking Processes”
Go to the Prints & Photographs Division’s Tours and Orientations page for info on attending one of the following sessions:
February 9, 2021 – 12-1PM ET
February 18, 2021 – 3-4PM ET
Melissa Lindberg, Reference Librarian, Prints and Photographs Division & Katherine Blood, Curator, Prints and Photographs Division
This orientation session will include a brief introduction to basic hand printmaking processes, including woodcuts, etchings, and lithographs, through featured artists’ prints from the Library’s Fine Print collections. Instruction will cover library search tools, online resources, and how to prepare for a future visit to the reading room.
Learn More:
- Consult the Prints & Photographs Division’s Tours and Orientations page for information about attending the Prints and Photographs Virtual Orientation listed above. In addition to monthly offerings, staff are available to present to university classes, libraries, organizations, and groups interested in pictorial material upon request.
- Check out the schedule for other upcoming virtual events from the Library of Congress.
- View other online presentations organized by the Learning and Innovation office, including two presentations about our comic and cartoon collections from curators in the Prints and Photographs Division:
- Revisit the “Double Take” series in Picture This. (If you have not read the posts, you might want to skip the entries related to the webinars above, to avoid spoilers!)
Comments (3)
How can I sign-up for the webinars — the Double Take Series?
Hello Robin, you can sign up on this page for the first session (each session will need to be registered for independently): Webinars and Workshops page
The list looks like an outstanding line up!