The Library of Congress: Volumes to Speak 2003
Distributed by Films Media Group, PO Box 2053, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-2053; 800-257-5126
Produced by Marc Doyle, Chesney Blankenstein Doyle / Echo Pictures, Inc.
Director n/a
DVD, color, 30 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Libraries, Museums, History, American Studies, Architecture, Art History, Literature
Date Entered: 02/28/2006
Reviewed by Louise Greene, Art Library, University of Maryland, College ParkWith the acquisition of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library in 1815, the Library of Congress established its core collection of 6,487 volumes – a number which has grown to more than 130,000,000 today. The scope of the collection has broadened with its size to include not only books, but materials and artifacts of nearly every description. Exploration of these vast and varied holdings unfolds within the structure of Thomas Jefferson’s original subject classification scheme, featuring a selection of examples from each of the areas – Memory (history), Reason (philosophy, law, science), and Imagination (the arts). The diaries of George Washington, Lincoln’s draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, Lewis and Clark’s maps, Roosevelt’s fireside chats, and Bob Hope’s joke collection, to name but a few, come alive through the eyes of librarians, curators, and other resident experts. These informed yet personal reflections are highlights of the film, as are a history of the stunning Thomas Jefferson Building, and an introduction to the Library’s rapidly growing digitized collections accessible on the World Wide Web.
This well-crafted, image-rich documentary is an episode of the award-winning Great Museums series originally distributed for broadcast by American Public Television. The Library of Congress: Volumes to Speak is a highly recommended addition to any library collection.
Awards
- The Great Museums series has received Cine Golden Eagle, Aurora, and Telly awards.