The Library of Congress Website

The American Library of Congress is a repository of books, rare manuscripts, and other public records without rival in the world.  The library's website is equally impressive.  Many people are aware of the story regarding how this venerable institution was burned to the ground during the War of 1812 and how book donations from the private collection of Thomas Jefferson allowed the resource poor nation to reopen the library in the early decades of the 19th Century.  What is less known is that the library's mission of supporting education through research opportunities, literary prizes, and resources for teachers has transitioned into the internet era in impressive fashion.  It would take a tomb several hundred pages long to describe the immense collection of primary source documents, photographs, audio and video recordings, activities, and lesson plans available on the website for teachers and students of American History.  This review will provide a glimpse of some of the most notable aspects of the well-organized and easy to navigate website.

Illinois history curriculum puts a large emphasis on students learning about the Federal Constitution.  Perhaps the most useful part of the library's website is http://thomas.loc.gov/, aptly named after America's third President, Thomas Jefferson.  The website allows for research on all Bills that have been introduced in either House of Congress.  Information available through this search feature include:

• Full text of the Bill as introduced
• Full text of all Bill Amendments
• Sponsors and Co-Sponsors
• Committees and Sub-Committees
• Congressional record of all votes

The implication is that teachers can choose a few Bills and show exactly the path that it took to become a Law or where in the process it was halted.  This comprehensive Congressional Record is available online for dates as far back as the 93rd Congress (1973) and is working towards having the entire unabridged Congressional Record of America available as librarians are working backwards to create a full digital archive of America's History.  Why stop at teaching about how a Bill becomes Law when you can show students the history of specific Laws and proposed Laws?

Another part of the site that I find especially interesting is the section of Primary Source Sets.  Finding appropriate and high-quality primary sources such as legal documents, letters, audio recordings, and photos is a challenge for every Social Studies Teacher.  This collection combines many primary sources on a general topic in sets that teachers can download.  I have yet explore the entire contents of primary sources available because it would take an incredible amount of time to do so.  But, looking at one particular primary source set, on the Dust Bowl Migration during the Great Depression, illuminates the high quality of these sets.  Among the primary sources are poignant photographs, maps of migration routes, and audio recordings of folk songs and personal interviews of people who endured the privations of this difficult time in American History.  My favorite primary source in this set is the lyrics of a popular folk song of the era, I'd Rather Not Be On Relief.  I strongly believe that nothing draws the interest of young history students like personal anecdotes and cultural artifacts that confirm the facts outlined in textbooks.

The last part of the Library of Congress website that I want to mention is the Young Readers Center.  This section is part of a federal initiative to promote literacy and reading skills.  The Young Readers Center has links to full text copies of hundreds of classic books in the public domain.  For example, among other texts, an excellent 1908 illustrated version of the classic Uncle Tom's Cabin is available to read in its entirety.  In addition, teachers can easily select specific images, passages, and sections of books for use in a rich and engaging lesson plan.

The mission of the Library of Congress to provide American's with information and education for citizenship continues on today through the impressive website supported by the library.  History teachers and students will be hard pressed to find a resource website that provides the volume and quality of resources available at http://www.loc.gov.