America's Greatest Library

March 1, 2018

Like its subject, this title takes on several roles at once. Handsome, slightly oversize, with high production values and lavish photographs and illustrations, it could be taken for a coffee-table book. But this would do it a disservice, as Library of Congress historian Cole has compiled a thorough overview of the library's history, with an exhaustive time line ranging from President John Adams's 1800 act to appropriate $5,000 "for the purchase of such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress" to the 2016 swearing in of current Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, accompanied by well-written essays. The chronology offers detailed accounting of the institution's construction, collection building, division development, staff, outreach, cataloging and computing innovations, and ever-expanding mission. The essays zero in on subjects and events such as the library's role after John F. Kennedy's assassination (providing emergency historical reference for presidential funerals and keeping its restrooms open all night for mourners), or a portrait of pioneering African American bibliographer Daniel Murray, who became a member of the library staff at 19 in 1871. VERDICT For interested browsers and library buffs but also a solid, detailed, creatively packaged institutional history.--Lisa Peet, Library Journal

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