Collection Close-Ups – serie

With more than half a million children’s books in its collections, the Library of Congress has everything from beloved classics to forgotten treasures ready for rediscovery. These range from an early American edition of John Newbery’s Little Pretty Pocket-Book to twentieth-century classics introducing familiar characters such as Dorothy and Toto or Frog and Toad. In addition to books, the Library holds original artwork by illustrators Jerry Pinkney and Vera B. Williams; manuscripts by pathbreaking authors Virginia Hamilton and Jade Snow Wong; and influential magazines such as St. Nicholas and The Brownies’ Book—not to mention the nation’s largest public comic book collection. Tell Me a Story reimagines the canon of American children’s literature, in the process highlighting the evolution of literary, artistic, and publishing trends. From classic books and award-winners to little-remembered gems, this engaging volume features more than two hundred children’s books, original artworks, and manuscript pages, all created, read, and sold in the United States from the eighteenth century to today. With a foreword by National Ambassadors for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett and including poignant contributions from former Ambassadors reflecting on their own inspirations, this book will charm readers of all ages.

Since 1925, the Library of Congress has presented one of the most prestigious and innovative concert series in the United States. Philanthropist Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge founded the series with the purpose of sharing music of the highest caliber with the American people. Her vision was clear: concerts would be free and open to all, the finest touring artists and ensembles would appear, and both traditional and new repertoire would be performed. The Library’s Coolidge Auditorium, renowned for its sublime acoustics, has hosted the world premiere of Martha Graham and Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, (1944), residencies by the likes of Rosanne Cash and John Adams, and the 2023 Salute to Strayhorn festival marking the arrival of the jazz legend’s collection at the Library. Among the more than 700 new works commissioned by the Library of Congress are compositions by stalwarts of twentieth century music, such as Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg, and newer voices including George Walker and Tania León. Let the People Hear It: Concerts from the Library of Congress at 100 shares the history of this remarkable series through the people, music, and collections that have inspired countless listeners. Photographs, historical documents, and unique music manuscripts demonstrate how the concert series enriched and preserved America’s musical, dance, and theater heritage, all while fostering a community of music lovers.