Hidden Treasure in LOC

While some have argued that the new Dunkin Donuts is the hidden treasure in the Library of Congress, I argue that the real hidden treasure is the glorious Jefferson SW Courtyard.

THE SOUTHWEST COURTYARD OF THE THOMAS JEFFERSON BUILDING is one of four interior courtyards that were designed to surround the circular Main Reading Room. The northeast and southeast courtyards were enclosed in 1910 and 1927, respectively, to provide space for book stacks. The northwest courtyard provided space for the Coolidge Auditorium, built in 1925, and the Whittall Pavilion, which was completed in 1938. Both spaces provide venues for programs and musical performances. In 2012, the southwest
courtyard was refurbished and reopened for use by members of the public and the Library’s staff.

These photos don't really capture how nice the courtyard is. To get there,
1) go to the Jefferson main cloakroom and then turn around and go down the stairwell into the cellar.
2) Turn right and then right again.
3) Grab a coffee or other item from the vending machines on the left. Return to hallway.
4) On the right side, in a few steps, you will see the door to the SW courtyard.

Yes, the Library of Congress is great!

Jefferson SW Courtyard hours:
9:30 a.m.–3 p.m., Monday–Friday

Faculty, spread the word

Yesterday, I met one of my students at the Library of Congress. We originally were going to sit in the 6th floor cafe (the cafe with the great view) to talk about her project, but instead I decided to do some active Library of Congress propaganda. We first got her a library card, which took about one minute. Then, we did a tour, looking at the Main Reading Room, the Hispanic Reading Room, the European Reading Room, the Great Hall, and even my own shelf in one of the reading rooms. We talked about her project at various benches throughout the library. And, voila!, it is now much more likely that she will use the LoC.

The great Russian historian Richard Stites was known for requiring his students to read in the LoC. This semester, I saw the undergraduate students of another colleague doing their required reading time in the LoC. A couple of years ago, I met my graduate class in the LoC, where we got library cards, did a tour, tested out ordering books, and discussed the reading of the week (in the basement cafe).

Your students, especially graduate students, might be excited to see all the great academics in the readings rooms. The European Reading Room was always known as a place where various famous and non-famous exiles hung out. These days, there are regular sightings of many great academics. Here are just a few examples:

• Ben Cowan, David Sartorius, and Julia Young in the Hispanic Room.
• Johanna Bockman, Michael David-Fox, Steven Harris, Marcy Norton, Arpad von Klimo, Bernardo Piciché, and Andrew Zimmerman in the European Reading Room. 
• Emily Landau in the Folklife Center. 
• Gershon Greenberg, Emily Landau, Paul Landau, Sara Scalenghe, Dan Schwarz, and Jonathan Skolnik in the Main Reading Room. 

Invite your students to join the intellectual in-crowd. 

P.S. Faculty, feel free to let me know which reading room you are working in and I'll add you to the list! 

Pleasant Day in the LoC

It is exceedingly pleasant reading in the Library of Congress today. If you ever find the main reading room too cold, come up to the European Reading Room, which quite pleasant. Well, isn't everyday in the LoC pleasant?