Experience the World in Sound with Jim Metzner from ‘Pulse of the Planet’
and Jad Abumrad of ‘Radio Lab’ during Live at the Library in April
Metzner to Curate One-Day Audio Installation with Immersive Sound
Visitors can immerse themselves in sounds of people and places during Live at the Library in April. On April 27, audio producer Jim Metzner of “Pulse of the Planet” sits down for a conversation with Jad Abumrad, creator of the podcast “Radio Lab.” A special installation curated by Metzner with sounds from around the world will be available that day for visitors.
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.
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 April
April 13: Watch the 1955 classic “Simon and Laura” in the Mary Pickford Theatre in the James Madison Building at 7 p.m. Seating is on a first-come first-serve basis. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Learn more about film screenings from the Library. Timed-entry passes are not required to enter the Madison Building.
April 27: Sounds of the Globe: An Interview with Jim Metzner at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall. Experience the world in sound as Jad Abumrad, creator of “Radio Lab,” interviews audio producer Jim Metzner. For decades, Metzner has documented the world through sound and hosted the series “Pulse of the Planet.” Metzner’s archive is now part of the Library’s collections. Register in advance here.
Plus, visit a one-day special immersive audio installation with sounds from around the world, created by Metzner, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Mahogany Row. To visit the sound installation during the day, get tickets here up to 4 p.m.
Exhibitions On View
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.
From April 4 through 15, view “The Stars of 19th Century Book Design,” a display in the Great Hall celebrating the golden age of book design in American publishing.
Through April 17, view a display in the Great Hall in celebration of Women’s History Month, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”
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.
###
Media Contact: Leah Knobel, lknobel@loc.gov
PR 23-033
03-27-2023
ISSN 0731-3527