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Press Releases
In cooperation with the Office of Communications, the Rare Book and Special Collections Division regularly publishes press releases about its latest activities. Past releases can be viewed below.
Those interested in staying informed can also subscribe to the Rare Book and Special Collections blog, “Bibliomania,” to learn about new collection acquisitions, little-known items, Library treasures, digital initiatives, and upcoming events related to the RBSCD.
Library of Congress and National Tour of ‘The Sound of Music’ Announce First-of-Its-Kind Collaboration
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the Library of Congress and the national tour of “The Sound of Music” are presenting “Inside the Vault,” a new traveling and virtual display that offers a rare look at the creation of one of the most beloved musicals of all time.Launching in conjunction with the North American tour of “The Sound of Music,” “Inside the Vault” invites audiences to…
Date:2026-02-10
January 12, 2026
(26-005)
Library of Congress Celebrates America’s 250 Years
Throughout 2026, the Library of Congress invites all Americans to further appreciate the nation’s history by exploring the Library’s collections and expertise through exhibitions and dynamic programming. The Library will commemorate America’s 250th anniversary under the theme It’s Your Story, offering an opportunity for everyone to discover part of America’s story within the world’s largest research collections.The 225-year-old Library of Congress serves Congress and…
Date:2026-01-12
January 7, 2026
(26-002)
Library of Congress Announces Winter-Spring 2026 Concert Season
Concerts from the Library of Congress launches an exciting, yearlong America 250 celebration this January, presenting a broad panorama of the nation’s music in concerts and conversations, lectures, film screenings, educational programs and more. Special projects delve into the Library’s collections to explore American creativity in classical music and jazz, opera and musical theater, popular music and dance.April features the world premieres of two…
Date:2026-01-07
August 18, 2025
(25-050)
Library of Congress Announces Fall 2025 Concert Season
Library of Congress Announces Fall 2025 Concert SeasonSeason Includes World Premieres of Library Commissions by Sir George Benjamin, Raven Chacon and Larissa MaestroConcerts from the Library of Congress presents a bold 15-event lineup for the fall 2025 season, wrapping up its successful 18-month centennial celebration with a rich mix of classical, jazz and pop concerts, lectures, conversations and special projects that salute the distinguished…
Date:2025-08-18
August 14, 2025
(25-053)
National Book Festival Offers Free Activities for Readers of All Ages
With free activities for readers and attendees of all ages, the 2025 Library of Congress National Book Festival will continue to unite book lovers on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Washington Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.There is something for everyone at the festival, which offers a variety of author programs on stages and free activities for families. The schedule tool at…
Date:2025-08-14
July 24, 2025
(25-049)
Get Your Folk Music On During Live! At the Library in August
Experience the magic of folk music brought to life during Live! At the Library in August. On Aug. 14, The Henhouse Prowlers will bring high-energy Bluegrass to the Coolidge Auditorium. Enjoy happy hour drinks and snacks at the Library of Congress before toe-tapping to folk music to end the summer season. On Aug. 21, The Creek Rocks duo will perform a special concert full…
Date:2025-07-24
March 11, 2025
(25-018)
Library of Congress and Kansas State Department of Education Announce Return of Professional Learning Program to Kansas in April
The Library of Congress and the Kansas State Department of Education have announced that the Library’s foundational professional learning program “Teaching with Primary Sources” for K-12 educators and school librarians will return to Kansas in April. The initiative is dedicated to working with rural communities to explore the use of primary sources from the national library’s vast – and free – digitized collections as…
Date:2025-03-11
February 7, 2025
(25-009)
Library of Congress and Kansas State Department of Education Announce New Professional Learning Program
The Library of Congress and the Kansas State Department of Education are working together to bring the Library’s foundational professional learning program “Teaching with Primary Sources” to K-12 educators and school librarians throughout the state in February and April 2025. The initiative is dedicated to working with rural communities to explore the use of primary sources from the national library’s vast – and free…
Date:2025-02-07
February 4, 2025
(25-011)
Join the Library of Congress for a Douglass Day 2025 Transcribe-a-Thon and Other Black History Month Events
On Feb. 14, history enthusiasts and the public can celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Frederick Douglass by joining a virtual transcribe-a-thon of rare books and manuscripts on African American history on Douglass Day. In 2024, Library of Congress volunteers shattered records by completing 16,000 transcription actions on Douglass Day.Hosted by the Library’s By the People program, this virtual event celebrates Douglass’ chosen birthday and…
Date:2025-02-04
December 19, 2024
(24-105)
25 Films Named to National Film Registry for Preservation
Twenty-five films have been selected for the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 2024 due to their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today.The new selections date back nearly 130 years and include a diverse group of films, filmmakers and Hollywood landmarks. The selections span from a silent film created to entice…
Date:2024-12-19
September 4, 2024
(24-074)
Aramont Charitable Foundation Gives $1 Million to Fund New Education Specialist for Library of Congress Rare Book and Special Collections
The Aramont Charitable Foundation has awarded a $1 million gift to the Library of Congress to support a new education outreach specialist to enhance the Rare Book & Special Collections Division’s outreach and programming through 2029, the Library announced today.The gift follows a $1 million endowment established by the Aramont Charitable Foundation at the Library of Congress for public programming surrounding the donation of…
Date:2024-09-04
July 9, 2024
(24-060)
Library of Congress National Book Festival Partners with PBS Books to Amplify New and Beloved Literary Voices from the 2024 Festival
Throughout history, the art of reading has nourished the mind, sharpened perspective and inspired change. Books are foundational building blocks to learning and the preface to understanding one another, the human condition and lived experience. In so many ways, books build us up, and that’s the theme for this year’s Library of Congress National Book Festival. Beginning July 10, bookworms across the country can…
Date:2024-07-09
November 16, 2023
(23-097)
Celebrate the Holidays, See National Film Registry Selections During Live at the Library in December
Visitors are invited to get into the holiday spirit at Live! at the Library in December with the Library's annual holiday celebration and Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 14. Plus, on Dec. 21 and 28, watch two holiday films that will be added to the National Film Registry this year. And enjoy happy hour alongside café concerts on Dec. 7, 14 and 21 in…
Date:2023-11-16
October 19, 2023
(23-089)
Shakespeare Everywhere Festival, Conversation with Simon Schama and More During Live at the Library in November
Throughout November, the Library will host events during Live at the Library as part of the city-wide Shakespeare Everywhere Festival. Public health leader Atul Gawande joins public intellectual Simon Schama for a conversation on Nov. 16. Plus, commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Washington, D.C. Home Rule Act on Nov. 30 with a panel discussion, GoGo band performance and more.On Thursday evenings, the Library’s…
Date:2023-10-19
October 10, 2023
(23-085)
Library of Congress Appoints Stephanie Stillo Chief of Rare Book and Special Collections
The Library of Congress has named Stephanie Stillo as the new chief of the Library’s Rare Book and Special Collections Division. Stillo, who assumed her new role on Oct. 9, joined the Library in 2016. She has served as the curator of the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection and the Aramont Library — two of the division’s notable collections.The Rare Book and Special Collections Division…
Date:2023-10-10
August 15, 2023
(23-069)
C-SPAN and Library of Congress Announce New Primetime Book Series for Fall 2023
C-SPAN and the Library of Congress have announced a joint original feature production for fall 2023: "Books That Shaped America."The 10-part series – which C-SPAN will air LIVE on Mondays, starting Sept. 18 at 9 p.m. ET – will be a literary journey, tracing America's history by exploring masterpieces in literature that have had, and still have today, a major impact on society.The 10-week…
Date:2023-08-15
June 22, 2023
(23-059)
Enjoy Summer Movies and Music on the Lawn During Live at the Library in July
Enjoy summer movies and music on the lawn beginning on July 6 with a screening of “Iron Man” and a performance by Batalá Washington, D.C.’s all-women Afro-Brazilian drumming troop. To celebrate the upcoming National Book Festival, all of the movies presented are adapted from books or comics. Plus, join historian Kevin M. Hymel as he discusses his books on George S. Patton at the…
Date:2023-06-22
May 18, 2023
(23-047)
Ada Limón to Reveal Poem for NASA Europa Clipper Mission During Live at the Library in June
During Live at the Library in June, U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón — recently reappointed for a historic two-year term — will unveil her original poem written for the NASA Europa Clipper mission. Plus, celebrations for the Juneteenth holiday will honor African American folk music and photography. Celebrate Pride with a concert saluting Billy Strayhorn on June 8, and view a display of LGBTQ+…
Date:2023-05-18
May 15, 2023
(23-048)
Library of Congress Festival of Film and Sound Announces Full Lineup of Rare Cinema and Special Guests
The Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center is announcing the full lineup of rare cinema and special guests to be featured at the inaugural Library of Congress Festival of Film and Sound. The new four-day film festival will be held June 15-18 in association with the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center at the American Film Institute’s beautifully restored 1938 art deco theater…
Date:2023-05-15
May 9, 2023
(23-046)
Library of Congress Completes Digitization of Yongle Encyclopedia, Largest Reference Work of Pre-Modern Era
The Library of Congress has completed a yearslong effort to digitize the Yongle Encyclopedia (Yongle dadian 永樂大典), the largest reference work created in pre-modern China, and possibly the world. Digital publication of the 41 volumes held in the Library’s collections provides open access to one of the most extensive attempts in world history to capture the entirety of human knowledge in book form.The massive…
Date:2023-05-09
April 21, 2023
(23-038)
Honor Vietnam Veterans, Celebrate Jewish-American Heritage Month and More During Live at the Library in May
Honor Vietnam War veterans during Live at the Library on May 11 in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Cultural events in May also will celebrate Yiddish history in the United States and the history of recipes and cookbooks in America.On Thursday evenings, the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building and all exhibitions are open for extended hours from 5…
Date:2023-04-21
February 16, 2023
(23-024)
Live at the Library to Feature Gershwin Prize Honoree Joni Mitchell
Gershwin Prize honoree Joni Mitchell will sit down with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden for a special conversation during Live at the Library on March 2. The Library will continue to celebrate Women’s History Month with an event highlighting women’s contributions to the music industry. Plus, join for an inside look at two Library exhibitions, “Join In: Voluntary Associations in America” and “Not an…
Date:2023-02-16
February 1, 2023
(23-016)
Library Opens New Web Archive Collection, Features Programs for Black History Month
A new web archive collection from the Library of Congress documents the civil unrest sparked by the police murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. The Protests Against Racism Web Archive contains a selection of websites documenting protests against racism and police brutality against Black people, as well as grass roots movements and activism calling for police reform.The release of the web archive…
Date:2023-02-01
January 26, 2023
(23-012)
Live at the Library to Celebrate Black History Month, Presidents Day in February
Dive deep into the Library’s collections in celebration of Black History Month with displays and a performance from the Library’s American Folklife Center during Live at the Library in February. Plus, step back in time with an intimate look at the presidency of Calvin Coolidge in honor of Presidents Day.On Thursday evenings, the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building and all exhibitions are open for extended…
Date:2023-01-26
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