Library of Congress

Queen Latifah sings the National Anthem at the opening ceremony of the 2002 US Open at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Flushing, New York.

Queen Latifah and Super Mario Bros. make history in National Recording Registry debut

6:31am April 12, 2023

by Neda Ulaby

Every year, the Librarian of Congress announces 25 sound recordings to be preserved for posterity. Picks for 2023 include music by Queen Latifah, Daddy Yankee, John Lennon, Mariah Carey and more.

Meg Medina was named a national youth ambassador by the Library of Congress.

Books

Meg Medina is the first Latinx ambassador for young people's literature

1:44pm January 18, 2023

by Julie Depenbrock

The Library of Congress has named a Cuban American writer as its new national ambassador for young people's literature. Meg Medina is the first Latinx ambassador in the program's history.

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Iron Man, from 2008, is one of the newest inductees into the National Film Registry, where it will be preserved for posterity.

Arts

'Iron Man,' 'Super Fly' and 'Carrie' are inducted into the National Film Registry

5:02am December 14, 2022

by Neda Ulaby

Every year, the Library of Congress adds 25 films to the National Film Registry to be preserved for posterity. This year's selections include Hairspray and When Harry Met Sally.

An artist's rendering of a new exhibition space at the Library of Congress.

Arts

A $10 million gift to the Library of Congress brings a new exhibition space

12:21pm November 01, 2022

by Neda Ulaby

A hefty donation to the Library of Congress will fund new spaces and exhibitions. The first one is scheduled for next year.

President James Madison's crystal flute from 1813 in the Library of Congress collection.

Music & Culture

Lizzo played James Madison's crystal flute onstage in D.C., proving history rocks

2:18pm September 28, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

The Library of Congress had invited Lizzo to check out its flute collection during her tour stop. On Tuesday, she played a few notes on the historic instrument, twerked and declared history cool.

The Library of Congress has acquired the life's work of radio producer Jim Metzner, who has spent decades traveling the world to capture rich soundscapes. While he's honored that they will be archived, he says he wants to make sure people actually listen to them.

He spent decades recording soundscapes. Now they're going to the Library of Congress

11:35am September 26, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

Jim Metzner has traveled far and wide to record sounds of the world and share them with listeners. The Library of Congress will preserve thousands of tapes and other items dating back to the 1970s.

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Banners and signs are hung on a fence at Lafayette Square near the White House, during ongoing protests against police brutality and racism in June 2020. The Library of Congress has digitized some of the pieces of artwork, signs and photographs once displ

Arts

Artwork from the Black Lives Matter memorial has a new home: the Library of Congress

7:18am February 12, 2022

by Jonathan Franklin

The artwork that once served as a memorial to the movement is being displayed in a new online exhibit at the Library of Congress. So far, 33 pieces are posted.

Lionel Richie, shown performing at a benefit concert in 2019, is the recipient of this year's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

The Gershwin Prize for Popular Song is going to pop star Lionel Richie

3:07pm January 13, 2022

by Neda Ulaby

Richie, responsible for a seemingly endless catalog of hits, will be awarded the songwriting prize this spring by the Library of Congress.

A still from the 1975 coming-of-age film Cooley High.

Arts

'Return of the Jedi,' 'Selena' and 'Sounder' added to National Film Registry

5:00am December 14, 2021

by Neda Ulaby

The Library of Congress annually picks 25 movies to be preserved for posterity. Selections this year range from 'WALL-E' to 'Who Killed Vincent Chin?'

Nadine Seiler poses with a piece of artwork that was once displayed on the fence outside the White House. Seiler is working to find new homes for the 700+ signs/artifacts.

She guarded the Black Lives Matter memorial. Now, she's working to protect its art

7:00am October 02, 2021

by Jonathan Franklin

Nadine Seiler, one of those who watched over a fence at what became Black Lives Matter Plaza, is working to find homes for more than 700 artifacts that once covered the structure near the White House.