“The Library of Congress,” a History of the Nation’s Library

“As the Library Celebrates its 225th Anniversary, A New Book Tells the Story of the Library and Its Impact from Jefferson’s Vision to the Digital Age. “The Library of Congress: From Jefferson’s Vision to the Digital Age,” publishing May 2, is a new comprehensive history of the nation’s library as the institution turns 225 years old. The Library of Congress is the research arm of Congress, home of the U.S. Copyright Office, and a public forum for artistic and literary culture. It is generally considered the national library of the United States, and it has influenced cultural affairs worldwide in myriad ways since its founding more than two centuries ago. In “The Library of Congress,” Jane Aikin draws on a wealth of primary and secondary sources to weave a narrative of the individuals, events, and controversies that have shaped the history of this venerable institution. “The Library of Congress’ progression from a small legal library to a grand national library, and one of the world’s greatest intellectual and cultural resources, is a story shaped by extraordinary individuals and hardworking civil servants,” wrote Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden in the foreword. “Above all, it is a story of an institution constantly evolving to face the mutable and ever-expanding sources of knowledge. What started in 1800 with only 740 books and three maps rapidly expanded to include sheet music, prints, newspapers, and new technologies like photographs, recorded sound and motion pictures.” Punctuated by stories about key donors and pivotal performances by poets, authors, and celebrities, this engaging and informative narrative sheds new light on the world’s largest library and its global impact on knowledge and culture. “Comprehensive, richly detailed, meticulously researched – in this essential history of an extraordinary American institution, Jane Aikin traces how the Library of Congress became a hub for scholarship, a leader in the library community, and a resource for all Americans,” wrote Scott E. Casper, president, American Antiquarian Society..”