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Category: News & Events

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A Virtual Window into Deaf History

Posted by: Kristi Finefield

In honor of Deaf History Month, we are offering a webinar showcasing photographs and prints of Deaf people, notable figures, education, careers, and activities found in the Prints and Photographs Division’s collections. The first half of the presentation will be in American Sign Language (ASL) with closed captioning and voice interpretation for non-signing viewers. The …

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New Research Guide: Latin America and the Caribbean in Photographs

Posted by: Kristi Finefield

A recently published research guide on Latin America and the Caribbean in Photographs by Curator of Photography Adam Silvia offered me a chance to take a virtual tour of a wide variety of collections I had not yet explored in detail as well as pointed out some of the hidden treasures in familiar collections. Through …

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Celebrating the Centenary of American Architect Paul M. Rudolph

Posted by: Kristi Finefield

The Prints and Photographs Division, home to the archive of noted American architect and innovative modernist designer Paul M. Rudolph, is hosting a symposium and a display to celebrate the centennial of his birth. A day-long symposium on Rudolph’s life and work will be held at the Library of Congress on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, …

Smiling woman dressed in outdoor winter clothes holds a large, old-style camera

Spring Fling at the Library

Posted by: Kristi Finefield

Spring in Washington, D.C., is marked by changing weather, gardens coming back to life and of course, cherry blossoms. The famous cherry blossom trees surrounding the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial, a gift from Japan more than a century ago, are nearing peak bloom which also means peak volume of visitors to view them! To …

Smiling woman dressed in outdoor winter clothes holds a large, old-style camera

American Libraries: New Book

Posted by: Kristi Finefield

The following is a guest post by Helena Zinkham, Chief, Prints & Photographs Division. You can find libraries at the heart of many different communities, from the center of a town or a college campus to a shared toolbox at a construction site. The new book American Libraries, written by architectural historian Kenneth Breisch, takes …

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Looking to the Sky: Solar Eclipse 2017

Posted by: Kristi Finefield

“Thousands of residents stood with necks craned and peered wide-eyed through smudged glass as the moon sped between the sun and earth, gradually shutting off the bright morning light. From President Coolidge to the urchins with bundles of papers under their arms, the city marvelled at the awesome but magnificent sight.”  - The Washington Post, …

Smiling woman dressed in outdoor winter clothes holds a large, old-style camera

Springing Forward into Daylight Saving Time

Posted by: Kristi Finefield

Most of the United States will “spring forward” this weekend, as we enter Daylight Saving Time at 2:00 a.m. – which will immediately become 3:00 a.m. – Sunday morning. Many of us have never known a time when we didn’t go through the biannual ritual of springing forward an hour in the spring, and falling …

Smiling woman dressed in outdoor winter clothes holds a large, old-style camera

Picturing a Love of Reading

Posted by: Kristi Finefield

The love of reading crosses all boundaries, appealing to people of all ages, races, genders, and walks of life. For hundreds of years, readers have opened books to learn about history or science or to discover new, imaginary worlds. Books have furnished inspiration, excitement, and relaxation. The possibilities are limitless. Within our collections, I found …

Smiling woman dressed in outdoor winter clothes holds a large, old-style camera

Unlocking the Power of Primary Sources

Posted by: Kristi Finefield

If you are interested in learning more about visual literacy and historical thinking and about resources such as historical newspapers and photographs, you are in luck! Join us online for a free two-day event: “The Library of Congress and Teachers: Unlocking the Power of Primary Sources.” The virtual conference will take place October 27-28, 2015 …