May 8, 1997

Contact:
Craig D'Ooge (202) 707-9189 Peter Bartis (202) 707-1732

---

Media Advisory: Montana High School Students Visit the Librarian of Congress

WHO: Four students and their teacher from Libby High School in Montana

WHAT: Visit Librarian of Congress and Montana Congressional Offices

WHEN:

• Wednesday, May 14:
• 11:00 a.m. Meet James Billington, Library of Congress
• 1:30 p.m. Tour of the Jefferson Building guided by John Cole, Director, Center for the Book
• 3:30 p.m. Meet Senator Max Baucus (Hart 511)
• 4:30 p.m. Meet Senator Conrad Burns (Dirksen 187)
• Thursday, May 15:
• 1:30 p.m. Meet Representative Rick Hill (Longworth 1037)

BACKGROUND

The students and teacher have been participating in the Montana Heritage Project, a highly successful student and community education effort to encourage Montana high school students to document and study their communities historical and cultural heritage. Since 1995 hundreds of students and community members have participated in the on-going project including the communities of Broadus, Chester, Corvallis, Libby, Prior. Township, Red Lodge, St. Ignatius. The Montana Heritage Project coordinates a summer training institute for teachers and supports school-based projects that encourage community research, oral history, and folklife projects. The project is sponsored by the American Folklife Center and the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress along with the Montana Historical Society and numerous other Montana state agencies and organizations.

Funding for this project is provided by Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation.

# # #

PR 97-91
5/8/97
ISSN 0731-3527