January 11, 1999 Publication of African-American Newspaper and Periodical Bibliography To Be Feted February 9

Press Contact: Yvonne French (202) 707-9191
Public Contact: Center for the Book (202) 707-5221

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress will herald the publication of African-American Newspapers and Periodicals: A National Bibliography (Harvard University Press, 1998) at 5:30 p.m. February 9 in the Montpelier Room on sixth floor of the James Madison Memorial Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E. The reception, which will include a brief program, is part of the center's "Books & Beyond" series and of the Library's celebration of African-American History Month. It is free and open to the public.

"This is the first comprehensive guide to the vast body of newspapers and periodicals by and about African-Americans," said Center for the Book Director John Y. Cole. "It draws on the resources of the Library of Congress and other research libraries, large and small, but particularly on the collection at the Wisconsin Historical Society, where the editor, James P. Danky, is newspapers and periodicals librarian." Mr. Danky also is editor of Black Periodicals and Newspapers (1979). He will speak during the program.

The two-volume African-American Newspapers and Periodicals contains more than 6,000 entries. It uncovers hundreds of new sources for African-American studies from the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean in newspapers, magazines, letters and other literary, historical and popular writings. The 10-year compilation project was funded primarily by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The associate editor is Maureen E. Hady, African-American newspapers and periodicals bibliographer at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. The forward is by Henry Louis Gates Jr., director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute at Harvard University.

The bibliography sells for $125.00. For information or to order by telephone, call Harvard University Press at (800) 448-2242 or (617) 495-2480.

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress was established in 1977 to stimulate public interest in books, reading and libraries. Its program, which is supported mostly by private funds, reaches into every region of the country through a network of 36 affiliated state centers and more than 50 national educational and civic organizations. For more information about the Center for the Book and its activities, visit its Web site at www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/.

Interpreting services (American Sign Language, Contact Signing, Oral and/or Tactile) will be provided if requested five business days in advance of the event. Call (202) 707-6362 TTY and voice to make a specific request. For other ADA accommodations, contact the Disability Employment office at (202) 707-9948 TTY and (202) 707-7544 voice.

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PR 99-002
1999-01-11
ISSN 0731-3527