Enjoy Summer Movies and Music on the Lawn During Live at the Library in July
Authors Highlight ‘Join In: Voluntary Associations in America’ Exhibit on July 20
Enjoy summer movies and music on the lawn beginning on July 6 with a screening of “Iron Man” and a performance by Batalá Washington, D.C.’s all-women Afro-Brazilian drumming troop. To celebrate the upcoming National Book Festival, all of the movies presented are adapted from books or comics. Plus, join historian Kevin M. Hymel as he discusses his books on George S. Patton at the height of his military career, and explore the Library’s newest exhibition “Join In: Voluntary Associations in America” with authors Robert Putnam and Shaylyn Romney Garrett on July 20.
On Thursday evenings, the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building and all exhibitions are open for extended hours from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy happy hour drinks and snacks available for purchase in the Great Hall overlooking the Capitol and the Library’s beautiful architecture while visiting the Library’s exhibits, collections and programs.
Visitors also are now invited to Experience the Main Reading Room during Live at the Library. Usually reserved for researchers, visitors can now walk inside and see one of Washington’s most beautiful spaces. Please note that due to strong interest and limited capacity, those with timed-entry passes are not guaranteed access.
Free timed-entry passes or an event registration are required to enter the Thomas Jefferson Building. Visit loc.gov/visit to reserve your pass for Live at the Library.
Programming Highlights for July
July 6: Enjoy a live performance from Batalá Washington, D.C.’s all-women Afro-Brazilian drumming troop on the southeast lawn of the Thomas Jefferson Building at 7 p.m., followed by a screening of “Iron Man” (2008) at sundown. Timed-entry passes are not required.
July 13: Book Talk with Kevin M. Hymel (Patton’s War 1942-1944). Was George S. Patton a military genius, a callous tyrant, or both? Join historian Kevin M. Hymel at 6 p.m. as he discusses his books on the mercurial army general at the height of his military career during World War II. In addition to the book talk, visitors can enjoy a rare, one-night-only curated display of original diaries, letters, and photograph albums from the Library’s George S. Patton Papers.
July 13: Join for a screening of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (1971) on the southeast lawn of the Thomas Jefferson Building at sundown. Recorded music from the Mingus Dynasty Quintet’s performance Mingus @100 will be presented at 7 p.m. Timed-entry passes are not required.
July 20: The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again at 6:30 p.m. in Room 119 of the Thomas Jefferson Building. Authors Robert Putnam and Shaylyn Romney Garrett discuss their book and the Library’s newest exhibition, “Join In: Voluntary Associations in America,” with Library curator Ryan Reft.
July 20: Enjoy a showcase of the Japanese tradition of taiko drumming from Nen Daiko at 7 p.m. on the southeast lawn of the Thomas Jefferson Building followed by a screening of “Shrek” (2001) at sundown. Timed-entry passes are not required.
**CANCELED DUE TO HEAT EMERGENCY** July 27: Join for a screening of “Groundhog Day” (1993) at sundown on the southeast lawn of the Thomas Jefferson Building. Recorded music from Banda Magda will be presented at 7 p.m. Timed-entry passes are not required.
Exhibitions On View
View the display “Pride and Publishing: LGBTQ+ History in Print” through Aug. 10. Witness the power of activism and creativity in this display featuring the Library’s LGBTQ+ collections of self-published zines, newspapers and magazines, which illuminate historic movements and moments from the 1950s to present day.
Explore Library exhibitions during Live at the Library. The Library’s newest exhibition, “Join In: Voluntary Associations in America,” explores the history of voluntary associations that reveal the aspirations of Americans as “a nation of joiners,” while also acknowledging these groups have sometimes reflected society’s exclusions, discriminations and divisions. The exhibit is on display in the South Gallery of the Thomas Jefferson Building.
“Not an Ostrich: And Other Images from America’s Library” represents a sampling of the more than 15 million photographs held by the Library, ranging from the early days of photography to today. Take a look at the “first selfie,” which is thought to be the world’s oldest known photographic self-portrait, and see important pictures of Harriet Tubman, the Wright brothers and more.
Find the latest event details at loc.gov/live, and subscribe to the Library’s Upcoming Events email list. Future events will be announced on a monthly basis.
Live at the Library is part of a broader effort to reimagine the visitor experience at the Library of Congress that invites visitors to enjoy the Library and its collections in new formats during extended evening hours on Thursday night. The series regularly features special conversations, music, performances, films and workshops that showcase the broad range of holdings at the national library.
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world — both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
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PR 23-059
06-22-2023
ISSN 0731-3527