The following is a guest post by Adam Silvia, Curator of Photography, Prints & Photographs Division.
Thirteen years ago, on January 16th, 2008, Flickr announced The Commons, a space where libraries and museums can share photographs with the public, and the public, in turn, can share its collective knowledge with these cultural heritage archives. The Commons began as a partnership with the Library of Congress, which to-date has contributed over 35,000 images and received, in return, a wealth of information that has significantly enhanced the descriptions for thousands of those photos.
In 2020, the guiding objective of The Commons—“to provide a way for the general public to contribute information and knowledge”—inspired a new kind of collaboration between Flickr and the Library of Congress called: “COVID-19: American Experiences.” This project, launched last September, invites people to contribute images that reflect how the pandemic has impacted people’s lives and communities.

Steadmans in Cincy, Quarantine day 231, Halloween at school [Cincinnati, Ohio], 2020. COVID-19: American Experiences photograph collection, Prints & Photographs Division, Library of Congress. https://flic.kr/p/2k2h6rA.

James Brooks, [Representative] Zulkosky, Capitol screening [Juneau, Alaska], 2020. COVID-19: American Experiences photograph collection, Prints & Photographs Division, Library of Congress. https://flic.kr/p/2j4H2cs.

Benjamin White, Sign on store [Overland Park, Kansas], 2020. COVID-19: American Experiences photograph collection, Prints & Photographs Division, Library of Congress. https://flic.kr/p/2k3XQvq
This lesson is especially pertinent today as many suffer the pandemic in isolation, a reality conveyed by multiple images in “COVID-19: American Experiences.” One photo, taken with a self-timer, pictures the photographer speaking to her elderly mother through the window of a long-term care facility in northeastern Illinois. Other photos, taken in lockdown, depict everyday scenes that nonetheless have great importance.

Jeanneg., Friday evening [Beecher, Illinois], 2020. COVID-19: American Experiences photograph collection, Prints & Photographs Division, Library of Congress. https://flic.kr/p/2jHZdTK

tomstar3000 , [Outdoor restaurant tables fill a sidewalk, Eugene, Oregon], 2020. COVID-19: American Experiences photograph collection, Prints & Photographs Division, Library of Congress.https://www.flickr.com/photos/tcfoto/50406758586/in/gallery-library_of_congress-72157716271339617/

Kyle T., Frankojazz, [Washington, DC], 2000. COVID-19: American Experiences photograph collection, Prints & Photographs Division, Library of Congress. https://www.flickr.com/photos/wackyland/49894304957/in/gallery-library_of_congress-72157716271339617/

Xavier J. Peg, Those Encouraging Signs on the Way to Work, [St. Francis Medical Center, Monroe, Louisiana], 2020. COVID-19: American Experiences photograph collection, Prints & Photographs Division, Library of Congress. https://www.flickr.com/photos/studiodxavier/49929539531/in/gallery-library_of_congress-72157716271339617/
- Read about the Flickr project and explore the sheer variety of images offered through The Commons.
- Explore COVID-19: American Experiences on Flickr.
- Revisit blog posts from previous Flickr anniversaries.
- Learn about another recent COVID-19 acquisition: “COVID-19 Artworks: Toni Lane’s Pandemic Drawings.”