The American Library Association will hold its next Midwinter Meeting in Washington. The Library of Congress will offer the following programs for ALA attendees during the conference. Note that some programs require advance registration.
All-Conference Reception
Feb. 15, 1997, 7-9 p.m., Great Hall,
Thomas Jefferson Building
Join the Library of Congress and the American Library Association to
celebrate the centennial of the Thomas Jefferson Building and the recently
completed restoration of its grand interior. The largest library in the
world invites you for light refreshments in the magnificent Great Hall.
Tour the spectacular Main Reading Room, which has been returned to its
original splendor. Try out your searching skills on the Library's catalog
in the Computer Catalog Center and on its Web site (http://www. loc.gov),
which features extraordinary and unique materials from the Library's
unparalleled collections. Shuttle buses will be running between the Washington
Convention Center, convention hotels and the Library of Congress. Admission
is free with your ALA badge.
Presentations
Digital Library Visitors' Center, James Madison Memorial Building,
first floor
The following special presentations require a reservation, please fill
out the Presentation Reservation on the opposite page.
Feb. 15, 1997
9-10 a.m.
"Developing Your Skills on THOMAS"
THOMAS (http://thomas.loc.gov) is
an easy-to-use online public access system of congressional information
named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. Features such as "Congress This
Week," "Major Legislation" and searches of the THOMAS
legislative databases (bill summary and status, bill text, the Congressional
Record text, committee reports) will be demonstrated. Useful handouts
describing each database will be provided, along with other sources of
information and databases available through the THOMAS home page.
10-11 a.m.
"Unleashing the Power of LOCIS"
LOCIS, the Library of Congress Online Information System, accesses bibliographic
records in LC's catalog and other LC databases (copyright, federal legislation,
braille and audio, foreign law abstracts). Strategies and techniques
for effectively using the powerful capabilities of LOCIS will be demonstrated.
Where to go for information on how to search LOCIS will be covered.
12-12:30 p.m.
"The Global Legal Information Network"
The Global Legal Information Network (GLIN) is a multinational, intergovernmental
cooperative database of legal information from countries in Africa, Asia,
Europe and the Americas. This presentation will highlight the origins
of GLIN more than 40 years ago, its development and current status. A
demonstration, featuring a typical GLIN retrieval station, will show
the GLIN model for searching and retrieving abstracts and the full text
of laws of GLIN member countries.
12:30-1 p.m.
"The Digitization of Historical Legal Materials"
Much of the paper to be scanned as part of the National Digital Library
Program will come from the collections of the Library of Congress Law
Library. In this presentation, the focus will be on issues surrounding
the digitization of historical legal materials. There will be a demonstration
of techniques, developed for the pilot project, for searching and navigating
through the collections.
1-3:30 p.m.
"Overview of the National Digital Library Program"
This is a comprehensive presentation on the National Digital Library
(NDL) Program at the Library of Congress. Experts in each area will be
covering the goals and purpose of the NDL Program, funding issues, the
types of collections included, accessing digitized items, producing the
digitized images and text, the impact on preservation, hierarchical file
management, developing the framework for searching and copyright issues
- rights and restrictions. Following the two-hour presentation, a half-hour
question-and- answer session is scheduled to respond to questions about
the Library of Congress/Ameritech National Digital Library Competition.
3:30-4:30 p.m.
"Developing Electronic Exhibits"
The award-winning electronic exhibits are one of the most popular areas
on the Library of Congress Web site. Both beautiful and informative,
LC's exhibits have served as a means of interpreting collections and
educating the public about the rich resources of LC and other major international
libraries (the Vatican Library, Biblio-thèque Nationale de France). How
LC's on-site exhibits were transformed into electronic exhibits will
be described and demonstrated.
Feb. 16, 1997
10-11 a.m.
"Cataloger's Desktop and Classification Plus: An Overview"
The Cataloging Distribution Service's newest products, providing a wealth
of cataloging support tools, will be featured in a computer slide show
and demonstration. The hypertext links and full boolean and keyword search
capabilities of these Windows-based CD-ROM products will be highlighted.
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
"Developing Your Skills on THOMAS"
See Feb. 15, 9-10 a.m. listing above.
12-1 p.m.
"The Learning Page"
Come to a guided tour of this exciting place on the Library of Congress
Web site (//www.loc.gov). See how
to search LC's digitized historical collections by events, people, places,
time and topics. Explore the "Learn More About It" area for
collections. Discover the e-mail gateway providing support for the exchange
of ideas among educators and students. Access teacher-generated project
ideas for classroom use.
1-3:30 p.m.
"Overview of the National Digital Library Program"
See Feb. 15, 1-3:30 p.m. listing above.
3:30-4:30 p.m.
"Unleashing the Power of LOCIS"
See Feb. 15, 10-11 a.m. listing above.
Hispanic Reading Room (LJ 205), Thomas Jefferson Building
Feb. 15, 1997
2-4 p.m.
"Area Studies Collections and Programs for Scholars"
In 1997 three area studies divisions (Asian, European, and African and
Middle Eastern) will be joining a fourth division (Hispanic) in new reading
rooms in the Thomas Jefferson Building. Hear about plans for these remarkable
collections in their resplendent new quarters. Learn about the Federal
Research Division, which produces the popular Country Studies books.
Get a briefing on special research opportunities at the Library of Congress
and the projects of Scholarly Programs. Selected items of unique interest
from the area studies collections will be displayed and informational
brochures made available.
Mumford Room, James Madison Memorial Building, sixth floor The following special presentations do not require a reservation.
Feb. 15, 1997
2-2:30 p.m.
"Electronic Cataloging in Publication"
Currently, almost 50 publishers are participating in this Library of Congress
Cataloging in Publication pilot program. Come to a demonstration, which will
include receiving electronic galleys, cataloging online and transmitting completed
cataloging to a publisher.
2:30-3 p.m.
"Improving Cataloging Productivity"
The bibliographic workstation (BWS) has revolutionized cataloging at the Library
of Congress. Building on the BWS base, staff developed customized software to
optimize cataloging efficiency. This demonstration shows the latest ClipSearch
applications for name authority record creation and access to MARC codes and
subject heading strings. Tours The following special tours require a reservation.
Please fill out the Tour Reservation form on page 413.
Feb. 14, 1997
"The Geography and Map Division"
Established as the Hall of Maps in 1897, the Geography and Map Division is a
major center for scholarly research relating to cartography and geography. From
rare atlases to state-of-the-art electronic maps, the collection astounds the
mind and eye. A selection of cartographic treasures dating back to the 15th century
will be featured, and the latest computer technology from the Center for Geographic
Information demonstrated.
10-11 a.m., Geography and Map Division Foyer (Room B01), James Madison Memorial Building
1-2 p.m.
"Preservation Research and Testing"
A firsthand look at the paper chemistry laboratory and research projects of the
Preservation Research and Testing Division will be featured on this tour. The
tour will be repeated at 2 and 3 p.m. Preservation Directorate Office (Room G21),
James Madison Memorial Building
1-2 p.m.
"Digital Audio Recording"
A demonstration of the new digital audio recording and reformatting facility
will be featured. The tour/demonstration will be repeated at 2 and 3 p.m. Preservation
Directorate Office (Room G21), James Madison Memorial Building
1-2 p.m.
"Conserving Library Materials"
See the facilities and hear about the measures taken to conserve rare book and
paper library materials. The tour will be repeated at 2 and 3 p.m. Preservation
Directorate Office (Room G21), James Madison Memorial Building
1-2 p.m.
"Caring for Collections"
Demonstrations of the box making machine and a tour of the book repair unit will
be conducted. The tour/demonstration will be repeated at 2 and 3 p.m. Preservation
Directorate Office (Room G21), James Madison Memorial Building
2-3 p.m.
"The Music Division"
The collections of Serge Kousse-vitzky and Irving Berlin, musical instruments
by Antonio Stradivari, a lock of Beethoven's hair, George Gershwin's metronome,
Victor Herbert's death mask. All these, millions of music manuscripts, printed
music, correspondence and more make the Music Division a source for musical
scholarship unmatched anywhere in the world. The tour/presentation will include
selections from the incredible range of materials available for researchers,
and staff experts will describe the collections and services offered by the
division. Music Division Foyer (Room 113), James Madison Memorial Building
2-3 p.m.
"The Manuscript Division"
With more than 45 million items, the collection of the Manuscript Division
is an extraordinary historical resource for the nation. Among its treasures
are unique documents relating to the nation's founding. This tour/presentation,
including the opportunity to see selected manuscript treasures and presidential
papers, will be repeated at 3 p.m. Manuscript Reading Room (Room 101), James
Madison Memorial Building
4-6:15 p.m.
"Jefferson Building Architectural Tour and Reference Service Presentation"
Go back in time 100 years. See the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library
of Congress restored to its full magnificence. This unique opportunity for
ALA participants will feature not only the majestic public spaces of this grand
Beaux Arts building, but also the splendid Congressional Members' Room and
ceremonial Old Librarian's Office. Following an hourlong architectural tour,
participants will attend a special presentation on reference services in the
spectacular Main Reading Room. Staff experts from the Main Reading Room, National
Reference Service, Science Reading Room, and Newspaper and Current Periodicals
Reading Room will cover LC reference support for researchers and the nation's
libraries. Great Hall, Thomas Jefferson Building
Feb. 15, 1997
9-10 a.m.
"Jefferson Building Architectural Tour"
This hourlong tour includes the same beautifully restored public spaces, Congressional
Members' Room, and Old Librarian's Office featured on the Friday afternoon
tour. Great Hall, Thomas Jefferson Building
9-10 a.m.
"The Prints and Photographs Division"
As the eyes of the nation, the Prints and Photographs Division offers researchers
millions of original and historical documents, from rare daguerreotype portraits
of the Lincoln family and the American Colonization Society in Liberia to evocative
views of newsworthy events from the Civil War to modern newspaper morgues.
The tour will focus on technical services, such as housing and cataloging documentary
photographs, cartoons, posters and architectural drawings. The digital imagebase
OPAC, containing 100,000 images on diverse subjects, will also be featured.
Prints and Photographs Reading Room (Room 337), James Madison Memorial Building
9-10 a.m.
"Preservation Research and Testing"
A firsthand look at the paper chemistry laboratory and its research projects
will be featured on this tour. The tour will be repeated at 10 and 11 a.m.
and 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Preservation Directorate Office (Room G21), James Madison
Memorial Building
9-10 a.m.
"Digital Audio Recording"
A demonstration of the new digital audio recording and reformatting facility
will be featured. The tour/demonstration will be repeated at 10 and 11 a.m.,
and 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Preservation Directorate Office (Room G21), James Madison
Memorial Building
9-10 a.m.
"Conserving Library Materials"
See the facilities and hear about the measures taken to conserve rare book
and paper library materials. The tour will be repeated at 10 and 11 a.m. and
1, 2 and 3 p.m. Preservation Directorate Office (Room G21), James Madison Memorial
Building
9-10 a.m.
"Caring for Collections"
Demonstrations of the box making machine and a tour of the book repair unit
will be conducted. The tour/demonstration will be repeated at 10 and 11 a.m.
and 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Preservation Directorate Office (Room G21), James Madison
Memorial Building
12-4 p.m.
"Rare Book Open House"
Thomas Jefferson's collection, the foundation for the Library of Congress,
is the nucleus of this extraordinarily rich collection. Over the years, significant
collections have been purchased or donated, building a resource for researchers
encompassing nearly all eras and subjects. Today, there are more than 650,000
books, broadsides, pamphlets, theater playbills, title pages, prints, posters,
photographs and medieval and Renaissance manuscripts in the division's collection.
Drop in any time between noon and 4 p.m. for a tour of the restored reading
room and to learn about this fascinating collection. (Note: The open house
does not require a reservation.) Rare Book and Special Collections Reading
Room (Room 206), Thomas Jefferson Building
1-1:45 p.m.
"Book Talk: Artists Books Dating from 1875 to the Present"
Rosenwald Room (across from the Rare Book and Special Collections Reading Room),
Thomas Jefferson Building
2-2:45 p.m.
"Illustrated Books from the Rosenwald Collection"
Rosenwald Room (across from the Rare Book and Special Collections Reading Room),
Thomas Jefferson Building
3-3:45 p.m.
"Books from Thomas Jefferson's Collection"
Rosenwald Room (across from the Rare Book and Special Collections Reading Room),
Thomas Jefferson Building February 16, 1997
9-10 a.m.
"Preservation Research and Testing"
A firsthand look at the paper chemistry laboratory and its research projects
will be featured on this tour. The tour will be repeated at 10 and 11 a.m.
Preservation Directorate Office (Room G21), James Madison Memorial Building
9-10 a.m.
"Digital Audio Recording"
A demonstration of the new digital audio recording and reformatting facility
will be featured. The tour/demonstration will be repeated at 10 and 11 a.m.
Preservation Directorate Office (Room G21), James Madison Memorial Building
9-10 a.m.
"Conserving Library Materials"
See the facilities and hear about the measures taken to conserve rare book
and paper library materials. The tour will be repeated at 10 and 11 a.m. Preservation
Directorate Office (Room G21), James Madison Memorial Building
9-10 a.m.
"Caring for Collections"
Demonstrations of the box making machine and a tour of the book repair unit
will be conducted. The tour/demonstration will be repeated at 10 and 11 a.m.
Preservation Directorate Office (Room G21), James Madison Memorial Building
