About being a librarian in congress. I can remember that because i was surprised, i had been advising and consulting because this was an opportunity for the Library Community to weigh in basically on what would be needed for the library of Congress Going into the next few decades so my name was put forward as a person that i should talk to and that went on for a little while and then i was asked, would you consider being considered for the position yourself and it took me back a little bit and i had to think about what i was currently doing, really publicservice innercity that the state had the Public Library be the state library of baltimore and maryland, this was a very unique situation and i had become a Baltimore Ian and was really working on the issues and i had to think, how can i go from serving the community to serving a country. And what contribution could i make. Why did you say yes . Because when i really thought about the treasures and what is contained in the library of congress and what i knew as a librarian and how excited i owe is am, i love history and so be able to share that with more people was really the turning point for me that is not just administering and doing something for the World Largest library but an opportunity to make that library everyones library, and that served and unpacked, thats how the opportunity was presented to me, would you serve as the next librarian of congress. Thats when it all came together for me. When you first came to the library, did you say to somebody, i want to see that . And what was it if you did. I wanted to see Abraham Lincoln life mask. I had seen it years before and i was mistakingly telling people all those years that i had seen his death mask. And then my friend said no it was not, it actually was a rendering that he had four months before he was assassinated and it was a life mask. So i wanted to see the item again with the understanding that when that mask was cast, he was alive and that was a moment because my family is from illinois, i have a couple of personal book shelves on lincoln and a group with lincoln, my family is buried in the cemetery that lincoln is buried in an springfield and that really resonated with me. Whats the thing you like most about Abraham Lincoln . His integrity and his struggle and i loved reading more that the fact that he did not come to some of these things that we admire so much about him now as easily as we thought, that he had difficulties in his personal life, i mentioned springfield, he visited lincoln on a regular basis and to think about what was going on in that home and how much he lost and he lost a child. All these things, there was a human behind this person that did so much. Cspan what year did you read it . Guest you notice when you even mentioned the title, i i said, ah. That, i was about and this is where i talk about my age [laughter] cspan you dont have to give that away. Guest i was about 7 or 8, and that was about 1961 or so, and i went to Grammar School in jamaica, queens. And right across the street was a storefront library. And i cant remember if a librarian gave me the book or anything like that, but i just know that somehow this book by marguerite de or angeli featured a little africanamerican girl who was a brownie and at that time i was a brownie she had two pigtails, and the beautiful water color pictures and illustrations showed a loving family. There was a piano in the living room, there was a thanksgiving dinner, all of these things that just spoke to me as a child. To see myself reflected in a book and i thought i looked like her. Now that i look at the book, she was a little prettier [laughter] but it just meant so much to see what i thought reflected. And later when i started as a childrens librarian, i thought and worked with them, we still are working on diversity in childrens books. That children need books to have windows on the world, and we all talk about that a lot, to will let them see something to let them see something else. But they also need to see that it needs to be a mirror. They need to see themselves. If we want them to think that books are important and books hold knowledge, if you dont see yourself in this important thing, what is that telling you . Cspan how did you were born in tallahassee . Guest yes. Cspan lived in queens . Grew up in the chicago area . Guest yes. Cspan how did that happen . Guest well, its interesting, you i think we talked about my parents being musicians. And so my father was, he started the String Department at florida a m university, and thats in tallahassee, florida. So i was born there. And then when i was about 5 or so, he always liked he played classical music, but he liked jazz too. And there was loved jazz. Classical by day and jazz by night. And he connected with another musician in the musical family the attarly family. Some people know them. He was down in tallahassee too. And so off they go to new york with my mom, whos a classically trained pianist, and me. And the next thing you know, im at birdland sitting on a stool in the front having shirley temples while miles davis and the group and that was quite an experience. My parents divorced when i was 10. I think my mom that was just a little too much. [laughter] so then we moved back to illinois. Cspan by the way, your moms very much with us, and i want to know what she said to you when you called her and said, im going to be the librarian of congress. Guest the first thing she said was, your grandmother was right. My grandmother always said, as i progressed in the career of librarianship, i never thought being a librarian would lead to this. My nickname was squirrel. I wouldnt, you know, but never shes going to be a librarian. She has no musical talent. [laughter] thats good. But she was still amazed. And to think that my love of books and all of this turned into something. That required her to hold the lincoln bible and have me sworn in, was something. Cspan now that you brought it up, its sitting right there on the table, the lyndon bible lincoln bible. Guest still gives me chills. And, in fact, my mother was very nervous about holding the lincoln bible. It symbolizes so much to not only our family, but just what it meant. And she was very nervous about that, because youre touching history. And this is something that touched a person you said you respect so much. And that connection and i have to say, thats something that i hope that in my tenure ill be able to do even more of, to connect people with history, to touch history. Digitally and to make sure that they understand that these are real people. Finish. Cspan how much do you read . Guest probably a little too much because of, i have matured. I my eyesight has matured. [laughter] so is i require stronger lens. And im a reader that will read just about anything that has text; a cereal box, a sign [laughter] Something Like that. It took me years to really realize that i was, i connected with text the same way my parents connected with notes, notation. And one day i said, wow, they can look at notes and hear music, and i can look at text and hear words. And its almost the same thing. Cspan where do you read . Guest i, well, i just now have a balcony where i can sit out, and i found a reading spot and a chair and that, and i read in bed, and i could read at the table or, so but usually i can tell when im very tired, if i cant read in bed. Thats the signal. Cspan now, when folks found out i was going to be talking with you, i think three different people, for whatever reason, want to know are you going to continue to live in baltimore guest yes. Cspan and commute to washington. Guest yes. Cspan how big of a deal is that . Guest its 35 miles, and i think because im from the midwest mileage is viewed in a different way. You have to go 35 miles to go from one end of chicago to the other end, and in the southern parts of illinois going from danville to champagne to do something is not unusual. So i think that, so i will stay in baltimore because baltimore has really become home. Cspan how many years . Guest ive been there now 23 years, and my mother has moved if illinois to baltimore from illinois to baltimore. Its a place where Everybody Knows your name. And im looking forward to being a civilianing [laughter] in baltimore. But its a city that really grabs you. Its a city with so many character ann tyler is this. When you read her books you get a sense of don waters. It nurtures creativity and caring, i think. Cspan if you have to make a choice, would you rather read fiction or nonfiction . Guest oh, now thats a hard choice. However, i would go for nonfiction. I love history. Now, i can read wolf hall and all those things because, ann boleyn and all that, but i really like to read things like the queens bed, which is about, its about Queen Elizabeth i and all the intrigue around that. So history can sometimes be more exciting, i think, than fiction. So cspan over time whats been a couple of books in the history, nonfiction category you really liked . Guest doris kerns goodwin, no order their time. I really ordinary time. I really connect with eleanor roosevelt. I went to Roosevelt University, the only school that was founded by eleanor roosevelt. Public service cspan in chicago. Guest in chicago. And to read doris kearns history, you its like reading function. And thats fiction. And thats the best type of history writing sometimes. And so that book, i heard her speak at the library, got the book, read it that night. And i could hear her speaking. Cspan all than fdr in the white house. Guest fdr in the white house, it made me want to know which room was there and all this, and it just was, wow. Cspan when did you first meet michelle and barack obama . Guest in chicago. I was working and i had left the university of pittsburgh. I was teaching. And there have been certain points in my life where ive had to make decisions about do i continue in academics and go back to Public Service, and this was one of those times. And i had arrived back in chicago from pittsburgh to be the deputy commissioner, chief librarian of the chicago Public Library. And the first lady was, Michelle Obama was working with the city administration. So thats when i met her and then later her fiance. And so that was something years later, to meet in a professional setting and different roles. Cspan how important do you think that connection way back then in chicago led to your choice as librarian . Guest im not sure if it led to choice. I think it made it was probably one of the most ironic things [laughter] to have a name put forward from a search that you say, yes, shes still a librarian. [laughter] so, but i had been part of a board, the institute of museum and library services. So my name has been part of the professional Library Setting cspan you say you went to Roosevelt University in chicago, you got an m. A. And a ph. D. At the university of chicago guest yes, Library School. Cspan what was your dissertation about . Guest it was about serving young people in museums. I was working at the museum of science and industry in chicago, and i was working to open the first Public Service library and a Science Museum in the country. And that was really interesting because most Museum Libraries arent open to the public. Theyre for the curators and the educator es. And educators. And here youre going to open up a library. It wasnt a lending library, but youre going to let these visitors come in and what are you going to do. That got me really interested in not only at a special library, but also museums. And so i took some courses and things and really started visiting museums. Basically, what i was saying at that time in the 80s is that libraries, public if libraries in particular, needed to use some of the methods that museums used to engage young people. The boston childrens museum, all of these museums. And now you can go into Public Libraries all over the country and see play areas and see not just books, but things as well. Cspan all right. A baltimore resident said to me this day, when i said i was coming over to interview you, she was terrific in baltimore doing the kinds of things youre just talking about there, the community stuff. Trying to movie night. Theres a fund raiser, i guess, black and white every year . Guest ah, young people dancing and themerelated in the library and connecting books and, yes, its quite something. Cspan so when you went to baltimore 23 years ago, enoch Pratt Library, what is it . How many different branches . What did to you do there that you were the most proud of . Guest in Library School we studied the enoch pratt free library. It was an Innovative Library for years starting with mr. Pratt, and he established it he was a philanthropist business person in baltimore at a time when the city was growing, and he picked the free library to fund. And he said my Library Shall be for all, rich or poor, without distinction of race or color. And that was in the 1886, in a city that had racial challenges. And so when i had the opportunity, so i learned the there are now 21 branches. And everywhere i would go in baltimore, people would have a Pratt Library story. People from all walks of life. Theyd name their branch. And so what im most pleased about is that over the time ive been there, weve revitalized those branch libraries, and we actually constructed the first new library in that city in 35 years. Thats a lifetime. And we even had all of the senior Staff Members bring in a photograph of themselves at 510 years old, and we made a poster so that when we meet wed say what would a child now say 35 years from now about i might have to stop saying we, but thats why im staying in baltimore. Cspan how did you get it built in there when it normally wouldnt go to a library . Guest by making it relevant to their lives, there are lots of people in the city that have basic life challenges. They need health information, they need to get to computers to file for jobs. They dont have the access to computers to do that. Flu shots, all types of things that brung people in. Bring people in. And to make the library less intimidating, especially for people who have challenges with literacy. Its the last place you want to go if you cant read well, to the library. I mean, thats so bringing in authors, bringing in popular programs was a way to start getting adults in and letting them know its a safe place for you whatever level youre coming in at. Cspan so as you came into the library of congress, 3200 employees . Guest yes. Cspan 600 million some budget . Guest question yes. Cspan whats the first thing you said, i want to change this . Guest it wasnt so much changing, but keep it moving forward. And theres a wonderful book, a management book that i think about often about change, and when youre changing or helping something move, its called teaching the elephant to dance. Now, i know theres some that. [laughter] you have to be careful. But just thinking of a ship and how do you get it to move or be nimble and things like that. So i really am excited about working with the Staff Members at the library of congress. They are really cracker jack [laughter] dedicated and so helping be part of that, because this library has [inaudible] in so many ways with time. Cspan you come here under the new law that says a librarian can only serve for ten years. The last librarian served almost 30 years. Good idea, that they shortened it . Guest well, there have been other librarians that have seven served even longer. 48 years, i think, was one. So different times in the librarys history the tenures have been longer or shorter, youve had lawyers, politicians, scholars, historians, authors along the way. And i think at this point when theres so many opportunities but also challenges with technology and things are moving so rapidly, to give an opportunity to step back and say where are we in ten years, ive been asked, well, what do you hope to have accomplished in ten years . You can digitize 162 million items, that would be something. So i think its healthy to look at an institution at different periods of time. Cspan how much is digitized today . Guest im not sure, and thats what one of even though ive just been sworn in and im still investigating, i want to really get, as they say, in the weeds with that and look. And also i know that there are a number of collections, for instance, the rosa parks collection was just digitized, and i got the see that and see the actual artifacts. To work with the staff to say how many things are available online, how many things are in the queue. And im pretty sure there are a number of things and a number of whole collections that are ready. And to see if we can match some of those collections and those needs with potential donors, it would help with the process. Cspan this is a question for someone thats never been to the library of congress and doesnt have a clue as to what they can see or do. I know one of the fun things, i got my First Library of congress card guest people dont know that. Cspan yeah. What would you suggest to somebody thats intimidated by the three big buildings, the guest and when you think about this temple of knowledge and information, i mean, this it looks like a massive palace of information. To encourage people to come in, thats actually something im going to be working on quite soon, is to make sure the public knows that not only can they come in and see one of the only three copies of the guttenberg bible, they can see Thomas Jeffersons original library that helped start the library of congress at a crucial time, to really reach out to the public to let them know. Its difficult to put it in one type of thing, so well be really working to say when you walk into the library, what can you do. We have a Young Readers center. You can go into that and do things if you have young people. And you can go into the music of department and see sheet music from decades and hundreds of years ago. So thats a challenge, because i think we need to librarians talk about read more about it . I want the American Public in particular to know more about it, to know more. This is congress library, but its also americas library. Cspan its a symbol though that say somebodys watching this, i want them to be able to walk in somewhere in this Library System and say dr. Carr a la haden carr a la haden told me carr a la haden where would you send them . Guest the first thing a person should do is to go up to a wonderful information desk and talk to the person thats there, and therell be a person there. Cspan Jefferson Building . Guest in the Jefferson Building, they can also go into the madison building, and theres an adams building. So you notice theres a theme with the president s. And they can say im interested in jerry lewis films, im interested in bob hope, im interested in this information you have about rosa parks, im interested in finding out something about my familys history. Im visiting from iowa, and i understand that you have newspapers that go back, and im trying to find my great grandfather. When they go to that information and its a big sign, information thats where you go. Thats your first point of contact. And then that person will tease out of you what you need and then make that connection to the staff resource that is here and even in other places. Cspan okay. Lets say they cant travel here, but youve got all of this digitized already online, how do you figure out whats there . Guest thats where the power of technology really helps, because the librarys web site should be able to direct you almost in the same way. So youre going to search, youre going to type in what youre hooking for looking for, and you will get a response right on the screen saying thats in and heres another getting in the weeds aspect that im excited about, making sure that that web site is just as responsive almost as you talking to a person and getting that. People wont be in the technology wilderness. Cspan at your confirmation hearing, the subject of the Congressional Research service came up, and there seems to be a Quiet Movement afoot that the public ought to see the product that, what is it, 700 people in the Congressional Research service produced for members of congress. What do you think . Is have you studied that any more since your confirmation . Guest well, as a librarian, weve all known that the Congressional Research service it is the library of congress, thats how it started, to serve congress is like the special forces of the libraries. They are analysts, theyre librarians, theres specialists in different areas that prepare research, nonpartisan research and analysis for the members of congress to inform their work. And the reports are available by request from your particular member. So if you know someone is working on something. And i think that ive heard different aspects of how much of the information and when the information should be ready or available to the public, so thats an area that i think is still being looked at, because theres quite a bit of research that goes into forming a report. Cspan cspan lets say a member of Congress Calls up the Congressional Research services and say i need a report on the b52 bomber. Guest yes. Cspan what is your personal instinct . Once that report was supplied the member, should that be in the Public Domain . Guest im not sure. [laughter] and that im going to really be in the weeds with some of these aspects, because thats a complex issue in terms of what was it prepared for, what, what is it informing. And i think working with congress on it, because its going to be a professional decision to find out how the members are really looking at what the Congressional Research Service Provides to them. And ive already been in contact with some members about how do we look at this issue and really look at it in a way that will benefit congress and the people they serve. Cspan whats your sense of, having talked to members of the congress, about the future of the budget for a place like this . Guest i must tell you that the most, one of the most pleasant parts of the entire confirmation and nomination process has been meeting with members and really getting a sense of their sincere appreciation for the library of congress. They a lot of them are interested in history, they read, they have they can borrow books and they do. Theyre interested in the workings of the library, and i think theres a lot of support for the library. Cspan but is it enough support and given this fiscal time that were in guest im hoping that it will translate, and thats why ive been really excited about working with the members. And already ive gotten indications that they are, they see the value of the library and appreciate it. Comfortable the way the law is now in the patriot act and the way that its been . Guest basically they are concerned for her and there is a consciousness and balance of security you have to have that balance with personal liberty, and it was a pretty difficult time friend the act was enacted. I want to ask you to define a library and ages and beyond the obvious why did our librarians feel so strongly about their profession . Guest we like to say they are the original Search Engines and librarians are people who help other people get the information. Your favorite novel by an author or that particular thing. Cspan is a question i didnt follow up on them is your dad still alive . Guest no. Cspan mother, brothers or sisters . Guest no, only child. Its interesting when you say is your dad still with us, some mentioned that he liked jazz and was also a studio musician. So sometimes im in the mall and i can hear my dad playing background on the phone and thats quite a feeling. Cspan who is your favorite musician . Guest i think because i actually met him and he was pretty cool back then and i felt there was something about him as an eight or nine year old i didnt know how cool he was then that he was nice to meet. Cspan so you were pulling up to place as the london house . Guest i knew about the london house, the soulful strings but that was a group that they took things and so you could still hear their music. I knew about the london house. Chicago was quite something for music and still is a little bit. Cspan the new library of congress, thank you so much for your time. Guest thank you. We are taking up a couple of hours to show you programs with the library of congrs
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