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Archive: 2025 (10 Posts)

Papyrus document on table and two hands holding tools lifting a section of the document

Unfolding History: Conserving Papyrus

Posted by: Chloe Genter

Papyrus is a unique material among the vast holdings of the Library of Congress, but these early fragmentary texts give us remarkable glimpses into history. Specialized training was undertaken and given to conserve papyri at the Library, resulting in the recent conservation treatment of a collection of papyri from the African and Middle Eastern Division.

Preservation in Motion: Moving the Library’s Card Catalog

Posted by: Amelia Parks

For over a hundred years, endless rows of oak drawers filled with index cards served as the primary guide for collection information for countless Library staff. The Library’s card catalog is actually a combination of many catalogs and served as the public’s main bibliographic information access point for books and periodicals until 1980, and despite our current online catalog, staff continue to use the wealth of information found on these index cards. Recently the Library decided to move these catalog cards from the oak cabinets found across the Capitol Hill campus to offsite storage and the Collections Management Division was tasked with inventorying and transporting the cards while simultaneously ensuring their accessibility.

Our Part 3 featured image

125 years of Binding, Part Three: Annexed

Posted by: K.F. Shovlin

Our exploration of 125 years of binding at the Library of Congress finds a period of great movement and change for the binding office both in physical space and where they fit in the Library structure. Starting the 1940’s with a large onsite bindery in the new Library Annex, the binding office that prepared to move to the James Madison Memorial Building in 1981 had changed in every possible way.

A Close Look at Caterpillars: Maria Merian’s Metamorphosis Meets Modern Science

Posted by: Amelia Parks

Pioneering 17th century natural scientist, artist, and engraver Maria Sibylla Merian traveled to Suriname to observe and collect insect specimens. In 1705, she published a book, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium (Metamorphosis of Surinamese Insects) with large, vibrantly colored illustrations of exotic species that captivated natural history enthusiasts. Read about how a trans-disciplinary team from Preservation Research and Testing, Rare Books and Manuscripts and an Einstein Fellow worked together to examine the book and discuss research questions and goals.

Close-up view of two hands carefully at work on an aged, yellowing manuscript with handwriting

Geanie Jackson, Collection Management’s New Administrative Officer

Posted by: Amelia Parks

Geanie Jackson is the new administrative officer within the Collections Management Division (CMD), but she is not new to the Library of Congress. While Geanie has been a go-to for all sorts of topics over the years, in her current role she is the beating heart of CMD. In this interview, Geanie shares insights into her career journey, daily responsibilities, and wide-ranging personal interests that make her a much-loved part of the Library's team.