Events at the Library of Congress

The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress celebrates twenty years of the Black Banjo Renaissance with a free public symposium on July 21. In 2005, the first Black Banjo Gathering convened. From that gathering emerged the GRAMMY-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops and other important musicians and thinkers. This symposium gathers tradition bearers, instrument builders, community organizers, and scholars who have shaped this Renaissance.

The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress celebrates twenty years of the Black Banjo Renaissance with an evening lecture and concert, consisting of an interview between Dr. Allie Martin of Dartmouth College and a special guest, and a performance by Demeanor (Justin Harrington). Demeanor is an MC, banjo and bones player who celebrates hip-hop and American roots as African American art forms.

In 2025, the Library of Congress acquired the papers of Stephen Sondheim, one of the most celebrated figures in twentieth-century musical theater. This small display in the Performing Arts Reading Room features highlights from the collection, including lyrics and music from his musicals "Into the Woods," "Sunday in the Park with George," "Merrily We Roll Along," "Sweeney Todd" and "A Little Night Music."

“The Declaration’s Promise,” opening July 3 in the David M. Rubenstein Treasures Gallery, will explore the foundational principles of the Declaration of Independence and their impact on American history. Featured treasures will include Thomas Jefferson’s rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, among other items. The new exhibition begins with the Revolutionary moment and then uses language of the…

To mark America’s 250th anniversary, the Library of Congress has created a cutting-edge molecular data storage device featuring treasures from the Library’s collections, which is being placed in a time capsule in Philadelphia to be opened in 2276. This small display will feature an identical copy of the miniature device, which uses synthetic DNA to store digital copies of specially selected Library materials.

The Literacy Awards Webinar Series showcases the 24 Winners and Honorees of the 2025 Literacy Awards Program. In this webinar, we introduce our five Emerging Strategies honorees of 2025 — Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children, Loxion Mobile Library, Start Lighthouse, Teach for Change Nigeria’s Literacy Amidst Violent Conflict Program and Welcome Home Jersey City’s Literary Initiative — who will share their experience as recently…

In 2025, the Library of Congress acquired the papers of Stephen Sondheim, one of the most celebrated figures in twentieth-century musical theater. This small display in the Performing Arts Reading Room features highlights from the collection, including lyrics and music from his musicals "Into the Woods," "Sunday in the Park with George," "Merrily We Roll Along," "Sweeney Todd" and "A Little Night Music."

“The Declaration’s Promise,” opening July 3 in the David M. Rubenstein Treasures Gallery, will explore the foundational principles of the Declaration of Independence and their impact on American history. Featured treasures will include Thomas Jefferson’s rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, among other items. The new exhibition begins with the Revolutionary moment and then uses language of the…

To mark America’s 250th anniversary, the Library of Congress has created a cutting-edge molecular data storage device featuring treasures from the Library’s collections, which is being placed in a time capsule in Philadelphia to be opened in 2276. This small display will feature an identical copy of the miniature device, which uses synthetic DNA to store digital copies of specially selected Library materials.

This in-person visit to the Madison Building's Recorded Sound Research Center will include a tour with a curated display of items from the collection and an overview of the policies and procedures for potential researchers.

This installment of the The Orientation to Law Library Collections (OLLC) Webinar Series covers digital resources available through the Law Library's website as well as resources available on-site. This OLLC Webinar will feature a special appearance by Director of the Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library Erin Waltz as part of the State Law Libraries Outreach Project.

The Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building and all exhibitions will be open for extended hours on Thursdays. Visitors are invited to enjoy happy hour drinks and food available for purchase in the Great Hall and the Jefferson Building’s beautiful architecture while immersing themselves in the Library’s exhibits, collections and programs.

Join a panel of style experts as they discuss the fashion of America’s First Ladies, exploring how style has communicated values, authority, and national identity across eras, from Dolley Madison to Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. By examining these First Ladies through the Library’s collection, the program will highlight how fashion became part of the historical narrative of the presidency.

Charlie Chaplin directs and stars as the Lone Prospector in this beloved silent comedy about a gold seeker who journeys to the Klondike during the Gold Rush. Battling blizzards, hunger and heartbreak, he pursues both fortune and the affection of Georgia (Georgia Hale) while dreaming of a better life. Silent, with live musical accompaniment by Ben Model. Black & white, 72 min. NR (Digital)

Join us to watch "Back to the Future" (1985) under the stars! This movie was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2007. Back to the Future (1985 PG 1h56) Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.

In 2025, the Library of Congress acquired the papers of Stephen Sondheim, one of the most celebrated figures in twentieth-century musical theater. This small display in the Performing Arts Reading Room features highlights from the collection, including lyrics and music from his musicals "Into the Woods," "Sunday in the Park with George," "Merrily We Roll Along," "Sweeney Todd" and "A Little Night Music."

“The Declaration’s Promise,” opening July 3 in the David M. Rubenstein Treasures Gallery, will explore the foundational principles of the Declaration of Independence and their impact on American history. Featured treasures will include Thomas Jefferson’s rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, among other items. The new exhibition begins with the Revolutionary moment and then uses language of the…

To mark America’s 250th anniversary, the Library of Congress has created a cutting-edge molecular data storage device featuring treasures from the Library’s collections, which is being placed in a time capsule in Philadelphia to be opened in 2276. This small display will feature an identical copy of the miniature device, which uses synthetic DNA to store digital copies of specially selected Library materials.

Award-winning jazz pianist Justin Kauflin joins six talented emerging disabled musicians in a showcase performance for the 2026 Access/VSA International Young Musicians Program. This concert commemorates Disability Pride Month and the signing anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In this drama about World War II veterans who return to their hometown and struggle to readjust to family life, work and civilian society, Fredric March and Dana Andrews discover that home has changed as much as they have. Directed by William Wyler. Winner of seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Black & white, 172 min. NR (Digital)

In 2025, the Library of Congress acquired the papers of Stephen Sondheim, one of the most celebrated figures in twentieth-century musical theater. This small display in the Performing Arts Reading Room features highlights from the collection, including lyrics and music from his musicals "Into the Woods," "Sunday in the Park with George," "Merrily We Roll Along," "Sweeney Todd" and "A Little Night Music."

“The Declaration’s Promise,” opening July 3 in the David M. Rubenstein Treasures Gallery, will explore the foundational principles of the Declaration of Independence and their impact on American history. Featured treasures will include Thomas Jefferson’s rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, among other items. The new exhibition begins with the Revolutionary moment and then uses language of the…

To mark America’s 250th anniversary, the Library of Congress has created a cutting-edge molecular data storage device featuring treasures from the Library’s collections, which is being placed in a time capsule in Philadelphia to be opened in 2276. This small display will feature an identical copy of the miniature device, which uses synthetic DNA to store digital copies of specially selected Library materials.