Library of Congress Launches Archive of Recorded Poetry and Literature
April 16, 2015 5:36 AM   Subscribe

The Archive of Recorded Poetry and Literature at the Library of Congress dates back to 1943, when Allen Tate was Consultant in Poetry. It contains nearly two thousand recordings—of poets and prose writers participating in literary events at the Library’s Capitol Hill campus as well as sessions at the Library’s Recording Laboratory. Highlights from the collection include: Kurt Vonnegut, Margaret Atwood, Ray Bradbury, Adrienne Rich, Audre Lorde, Mario Vargas Llosa, Rita Dove, Elizabeth Bishop, Gwendolyn Brooks, W.S. Merwin, Sandra Cisneros, Amy Clampitt, Robert Pinsky , and Miłosz, Czesław, among many others.

Most of these recordings are captured on magnetic tape reels, and only accessible at the Library itself. In digitizing the archive and presenting it online, the Library hopes to greatly broaden its use and value. The material featured on this online presentation represents a sample of this collection. The site will continue to provide additional items from this archive on a monthly basis over the next several years.
posted by Toekneesan (7 comments total) 48 users marked this as a favorite
 
Man, this makes me want to hug a librarian.
posted by DigDoug at 6:16 AM on April 16, 2015 [2 favorites]


Today I learned Robert Bly is still alive.

Here he is from library of C. in May 1960. This is great.
posted by bukvich at 6:34 AM on April 16, 2015


They are MP3s wrapped in some ghastly Flash player. And the usage policy says streaming only, no downloading. I was hoping for a podcast.. :7(

Still: yay, libraries and media!!
posted by wenestvedt at 7:24 AM on April 16, 2015


BEST OF: Robert Frost interviewed by Randall Jarrell (1959)
posted by jmccw at 7:39 AM on April 16, 2015


For the LOC the streaming vs. download question is one for the lawyers.
posted by in278s at 8:12 AM on April 16, 2015 [1 favorite]


Man, this makes me want to hug a librarian.

Not trying to derail but it's the perfect week to do so: Celebrate National Library Week
Celebrations during National Library Week include:

- National Library Workers Day, Tuesday of National Library Week (April 14, 2015), a day for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers;
- National Bookmobile Day, Wednesday of National Library Week (April 15, 2015), a day to recognize the contributions of our nation's bookmobiles and the dedicated professionals who make quality bookmobile outreach possible in their communities; and
- Celebrate Teen Literature Day, Thursday of National Library Week (April 16, 2015), aimed at raising awareness among the general public that young adult literature is a vibrant, growing genre with much to offer today's teens
posted by Fizz at 9:01 AM on April 16, 2015


Love you for the extensive tagging.
posted by GrapeApiary at 1:39 PM on April 16, 2015


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