Celebrating THOMAS

This week begins a new semester and a new U.S. Congress (the 114th). THOMAS, the popular Library of Congress web site named for Thomas Jefferson and providing free online legislative research and other factual information about Congress and its work, is also celebrating its 20th anniversary this week.  Launched January 5, 1995, and soon to be replaced by the new federal public information site, Congress.gov, THOMAS has seen many changes reflecting the dramatic growth and progress of online information delivery in the past two decades. Check out "Twenty Years of Thomas," a fascinating retrospective of this pioneering site, posted yesterday on In Custodia Legis, the blog of the law librarians of Congress. 

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

The Veterans History Project: In Their Own Words

Did you ever wonder about the routine and more dramatic wartime experiences of a great-grandparent or other family member? Did you ever wish that they had made an audio or video recording of their memories in their own words? Hundreds of American veterans and war workers from all branches, units, and ranks, serving in the same locations as your family members, have done that and created a lasting legacy through the Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.  Authorized in 2000 by an Act of Congress, the project continues today.

Memorial Day weekend is a great time to explore the Veterans History Project collection at the Library of Congress website.  At this page, anyone can search the Project database for interviews, photos, and other materials, limiting the search by war, service branch, rank, and other criteria. Search terms can further limit interviewees to geographic locations and service units. Finally, restricting a search to those taped interviews that have been digitized, and/or include a transcript, produces results that are immediately available to enjoy online.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

More About Memorial Day

While we all enjoy Memorial Day as the first summer holiday of barbecues, parades and New York City street fairs and concerts, its history as America's national day of remembrance is also worth exploring. Learn more about the holiday from the Memorial Day videos available at the History Channel web site, and take a look at the Memorial Day page of historic photos and documents selected from the Library of Congress American Memory collections.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Library of Congress on Constitutional Law

The Law Library of Congress is offering PDF downloads of books and articles on three of the more contentious subjects in constitutional law: executive privilege, war powers, and presidential inherent powers. All are by Louis Fisher.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month! Celebrate by learning more about women's contributions to our society at the Library of Congress Women's History Month webpage. The 2008 theme is "Women's Art:Women's Vision" and the Library of Congress is offering several online exhibits showcasing women artists, musicians and writers.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat