Introducing loc.gov: Orientation and Research Strategies

The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with over 134.5 million books, recordings, photographs, maps, and manuscripts in its collections. It collects in over 460 languages, with materials ranging from rare cuniform tablets to born digital materials. Through its Web site, it provides access to resources, services, and over eleven million of its multimedia primary sources.

How can you access this wealth of information? What resources and services can assist you? This orientation will provide an overview of what's available, provide strategies for accessing the materials, and introduce you to the resources created by staff to further your research into the Library's collections.

The Digital Reference Section conducts a one-hour orientation monthly via Web conference. Throughout the program, there are opportunities to ask questions, try various search tools, sample the multimedia primary source materials online, and become familiar with the digital formats on the site.

About Web Conferencing: Web conferencing refers to the ability of a software application on a Web site to allow two or more participants to be at the same Web address, log on, and join together to communicate and collaborate in real time. Communication is facilitated by various features, such as: text chat; audio (voice over IP); synchronized browsing of Web pages; and Web-based presentations. Most Internet-connected computers today are capable of supporting a Web conference. For technical details about the application used for the Orientation, see Technology Requirements below. To learn more about participating in a Web conference, see the Participant Quick Reference Guide (PDF: 269KB). (PDF files require the free Acrobat reader.)

When: The orientation is conducted monthly, on the second Wednesday, 11 am - 12 noon, Eastern time.

Where: Online via Web conference. The conference Web address and password will be emailed within the week prior to the orientation.

Registration: Use the Participant Registration Form. Registration is limited to fifteen people, on a first-come, first-served basis. If sufficient interest exists to conduct a second session, registrants will be notified by email.

Technology Requirements: Participants must have access to an Internet-connected computer with speakers or a headset. A microphone or headset with attached microphone is optional but useful. First-time Web conference participants should see Support: First Time Users. For more detailed information on technology requirements, see Getting Ready to Join an Elluminate Live Session.

For more information or to request an orientation session for your group, contact the Digital Reference Section via the Ask A Librarian form at http://www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/ask-digital.html.