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 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.
125 years of binding retrospect posts continue as we look at the Binding Office’s time in the Thomas Jefferson Building. During that time, the Library staff worked with the Government Printing Office to research binding materials, moving from animal skins to a new durable, acid-free cloth alternative that we still use today, buckram.
Supporting collections care is incredibly important for the safeguarding of our cultural heritage for current and future generations to appreciate. Hear about a volunteer project at the Mummers' Museum from Chloe Genter and Cheyenne McClain.
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.
Heather Wanser is a Senior Paper Conservator for the Conservation Division. In this post, Heather speaks about how she performed treatment on a concept drawing for one of America’s most beloved comic book characters, Captain America.
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.
