The LOC.GOV Wise Guide : Dr. Evil's Lair? No, It's the Library's

Nestled in the trees and grass of Mount Pony in Culpeper, Va., is a lair worthy of an adversary in a James Bond or Austin Powers film. But this lair belongs to the Library and has only the best of intentions. Also known as the National Audiovisual Conservation Center (NAVCC), the facility will enable the staff of the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division to continue their preservation work by consolidating the institution’s audiovisual collections, making them more accessible and better protected.

The complex, which will be covered with earth, perennials, grass and trees, restoring Mount Pony to its natural appearance. 2006

An aerial view of the Library’s National Audiovisual Conservation Center shows construction underway

The July-August 2006 issue of the Library of Congress Information Bulletin premiered the first in a series of articles on the NAVCC. The inaugural story highlights the history and purpose of the initiative and provides a general overview of the project, including phases of construction. Phase I has been completed and Phase II, the final phase, is scheduled for completion next year.

The Library of Congress Information Bulletin is a monthly publication that reports on the events, exhibitions, policies and programs of the world’s largest library. With issues from 1993 to present available online, users can stay abreast of the Library’s past and present, while also taking advantage of other online resources accessible via the home page.

A. The complex, which will be covered with earth, perennials, grass and trees, restoring Mount Pony to its natural appearance. 2006. Courtesy of Packard Humanities Institute. Reproduction information: Not available for reproduction.

B. An aerial view of the Library’s National Audiovisual Conservation Center shows construction underway. 2006. Courtesy of Packard Humanities Institute. Reproduction information: Not available for reproduction.