Live at the Library to Feature Giant Bible of Mainz, Flutes from the Vault in October
Public Invited to View Library Treasure in Celebration of German-American Friendship Day
The new Thursday evening series Live at the Library will feature a rare viewing of one of the Library’s treasures, the Giant Bible of Mainz, in celebration of National German-American Friendship Day on Oct. 6. Visitors also have the special opportunity to view a display of the Library's flute collection on Oct. 20, including President James Madison's crystal flute played by singer-songwriter Lizzo on a recent visit to the Library.
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 building’s beautiful architecture while immersing themselves in the Library’s exhibits, collections and programs.
Free timed-entry passes are required to enter the Thomas Jefferson Building. Visit loc.gov/visit to reserve your pass for Live at the Library.
Programming Highlights for October
Oct. 6: Opening the Case: The Giant Bible of Mainz from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Great Hall will provide the public the chance to view one of the Library’s greatest national treasures. A magnificent Middle-Rhenish handwritten book with painted decorations, the Giant Bible of Mainz was written during the same time Johannes Gutenberg printed his famous Bible using moveable metal type. Specialists from the Library’s Rare Book and Special Collection Division will be available to discuss the Bible and other collection items.
Oct. 20: Inside our Flute Vault from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Great Hall. View a selection of flutes that Lizzo played during her recent visit to the Library, including President James Madison’s crystal flute. Plus, explore a selection of flute music and recordings to share, and ask questions of the Library’s flute experts.
CANCELED - Oct. 20: Take a closer look at photography during An Evening with Annie Leibovitz at 7 p.m. in the Coolidge Auditorium. Join one of the most influential photographers of our time to mark the publication of “Wonderland,” a collection of images fromLeibovitz’s encounters with fashion over five decades. The Library’s Prints & Photographs Division will have several items from its collection on display, including work by Leibovitz.
Exhibits Open in October
Explore the Library’s newest exhibition during Live at the Library. “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.
Visitors can also view timely displays with items celebrating the Brazilian Bicentennial, President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the 200thanniversary of President Ulysses S. Grant’s birth. Explore the Library’s current exhibitions here.
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 Libraryis 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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Media Contacts: Leah Knobel, lknobel@loc.gov | Brett Zongker, bzongker@loc.gov
PR 22-083
09/22/2022
ISSN 0731-3527