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Planning Underway for Public Access to Library BuildingsNo date has been set yet for thebeginning of phase three of theLibrary’s plan to restore on-siteoperations. But an approach toresuming activities in this phase —including opening reading roomsand public spaces in the Library —is being developed. Driving all decisions are the health and safety ofstaff and Library patrons.Earlier this year, the Library chartered two groups to support thisplanning. The Reading RoomsCommittee was established tocoordinate actions for a measured,incremental return to full reading-room operations. The committee’s areas of focus include staff,researcher and patron access, useof space and equipment, standards for physical distance, ventilation, plexiglass shields, securityand cleaning, including the availability of disposable keyboard andmouse covers.The Public Access and SpecialEvents Committee was established to develop plans to restoreOIG WOULD LIKE TO KNOWReport suspected illegal activities,waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement in Library of Congressadministration and operations tothe Office of the Inspector General (OIG). A link to all Library regulations is available on the staffintranet at public access and special eventsin a similarly incremental andmeasured way. The committeefocused on developing a plan forthe gradual return of visitors toLibrary buildings in the three partsof phase three. It aims to ensurea safe and well-organized visitorexperience, including timed andticketed public access, pathwaysfor visitors to follow to maintainsocial distancing and clear communications about what visitorscan expect when they visit.Both committees were guidedby prevailing health precautionsrelated to COVID-19 and federalguidelines.Starting in part one of phase three,the Library will provide full service in select reading rooms toas many researchers and registered readers as possible, subjectto assembly limits and operatinghours. During this time, Librarybuildings will be open for researchpurposes only and will not be opento the public. Phase three, partone, operations will likely includerestricted entrance protocols andother health safeguards based onlocal conditions.The Library’s plan for part two ofphase three includes full restoration of all reading rooms andlimited, ticketed public access.Tickets will continue to be requiredin phase three, part three, but thenumber of tickets available eachday will increase.Both committees include stafffrom Library Services, the LawLibrary, the Copyright Office, theCongressional Research Service,Integrated Support Services, Security and Emergency Preparednessand the Human Capital Directorate.Roberto Salazar, acting chief operating officer for the Library Collections and Services Group, is chairof the Reading Rooms Committee.Shari Werb, director of the Centerfor Learning, Literacy and Engagement, is chair of the Public Accessand Special Events Committee. CITIZEN DJS MAKE HIP-HOPTo make a report, contact OIG via theonline form at contact-us/ or report anonymouslyby mail to 101 Independence Ave.,S.E., LM 630, Washington, D.C.,20540-1060.Jaime Mears of the Office of the Chief Information Officer (row two, second fromright), John Fenn of the American Folklife Center (row two, far right) and Libraryinnovator-in-residence Brian Foo (row three, third from right) teamed up with Miamibased nonprofit PATH (Preserving, Archiving and Teaching Hip-Hop) on Aug. 26 fora virtual music-making workshop that delved into Foo’s LC Labs’ project, Citizen DJ(https://go.usa.gov/xGjRD).4SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Candacy Taylor for the Occupational Folklife Project of the American Folklife CenterAmericanFolklife CenterLaunches NewPodcastWorkers across thenation discuss theirjobs and their lives inthe series.BY LEAH KNOBELThe American Folklife Center (AFC)is bringing the voices of workersthroughout the country to listeners with “America Works,” a newpodcast series that celebrates thediversity and tenacity of the American workforce during a time ofeconomic crisis and transition. Thefirst three episodes were releasedon Sept. 3 to coincide with LaborDay.Each 10-minute episode is basedon a single oral history interviewfrom the AFC’s ongoing Occupational Folklife Project, a multiyearinitiative started a decade ago todocument the culture of contemporary workers. The full interviews,which average 50 to 60 minutes,feature workers discussing formative experiences, on-the-job challenges and rewards, aspirationsand occupational communities.Given the economic challengesfacing everyday Americans duringthe COVID-19 pandemic, thefirst-person narratives sharedin “America Works” are a timelyreminder of the spirit of the U.S.workforce.“It is inspirational to hear thesestories and to realize how manycommitted and optimistic fellowcitizens are out there working toimprove their communities, support their families and build abetter future for us all,” said seniorfolklife specialist Nancy Groce, thepodcast’s host.Like the Library’s “American Lives”collection of interviews with workers recorded during the GreatCalifornia hairdresser Jeff Hafler shares his love for his profession in an episode ofthe new podcast series, “America Works.”Depression, the new series highlights the experiences of working Americans whose voices arecurrently underrepresented in theLibrary’s holdings.Since the start of the OccupationalFolklife Project, AFC fieldworkers have compiled almost 1,000interviews from across the country, documenting more than 100professions. More than 400 of theinterviews have been made available online, and researchers canaccess the entire collection in theAFC reading room when the Libraryis open to the public.The first season of “AmericaWorks” reflects the occupationaland regional diversity that characterizes the collection. Listenerscan dive into the stories of individuals who provide some of themost essential services to oursociety, including Joyce Vegarof Coos County, Oregon, a homehealthcare worker who explainsthe patience and compassionrequired to provide a certain levelof care for another. Chicago ironworker Sharon Sisson shares anunforgettable tale of how she wonthe respect of a chauvinistic maleco-worker who was harassing heron a job site. Jeff Hafler of WonderValley, California, describes whathe loves about his work as a hairstylist and beauty shop owner,why customers confide in theirstylists and the pride he takes inworking in the service industry.“Having a vocation,” Hafler said,“is often a better guaranteeof employment than a collegedegree.”Episodes of “America Works” arebeing released weekly on ApplePodcasts, Stitcher and loc.gov/podcasts — a fourth episode in theseries came out yesterday. Theyare also being featured on theLibrary’s social media channels.Listen here: https://go.usa.gov/xGbAu Your Employee Personal Page (EPP) is atwww.nfc.usda.gov/epps/THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GAZETTE5

QUESTION & ANSWERing the survival of their families. Iexplore issues such as how genderaffects the women’s mobilitybeyond their homes, how physicaland emotional labor (arising fromfamily care) are sources of pain forthe women and how both typesof labor are important factorsto consider in researching andunderstanding the women’s workas embroiderers — their emotionallabor bleeds into their work andaffects their bodies in complicatedways. I conducted my fieldworkand other research in Lucknow inUrdu.Shahrukh KhanWhat brought you to the Library,and what do you do?Charlotte GilesCharlotte Giles is a South Asiareference librarian in the AsianDivision.Tell us a little about yourbackground.I grew up in Houston, where Iattended the High School for thePerforming and Visual Arts andthe Houston Ballet Academy — in aprevious life, I was training to be aballet dancer. After high school, Imoved to Massachusetts and wentto school at Hampshire College. Iam now a Ph.D. candidate in Asianstudies at the University of Texasat Austin.My other home base is Lucknow,India, where I studied Urdu withthe American Institute of IndianStudies with wonderful teachersand ate a lot of great food. BeforeI came to the Library, I was inLucknow on a Fulbright scholarship completing my dissertationfieldwork on women in the textileembroidery industry in northernIndia.My dissertation focuses on thework of embroidery as an important part of the women’s lives, onethat causes an early breakdownof their bodies while also ensur6SEPTEMBER 11, 2020My mother was a dance referencelibrarian with the Performing ArtsLibrary, a former satellite facilityof the Library that was located inthe Kennedy Center. Her lifelongwork as a librarian at the KennedyCenter/Library of Congress, theHouston Public Library and, now,the Johnson Space Center introduced me to librarianship as analternative academic career path.As a South Asia reference librarian,I work with my colleague Jonathan Loar to care for and curatethe South Asia Collection and toprovide reference services toresearchers. We also work veryclosely with the Library’s overseasfield offices in Delhi and Islamabad.How has the pandemic affectedyour work?The pandemic has affected mywork in a number of ways. Ourdivision has continued to receiveregular requests for researchhelp through email and the Ask aLibrarian service. Fulfilling requestswithout access to our collectionsduring maximum telework was difficult. On the upside, we now haveincreased access through a smallbut awesome group of Asian Division technicians and librarians whohave returned to work on-site.My focus has been on producing reference materials such as aStoryMap and LibGuide to highlightour electronic and print collections.Still, I miss being around all thebeautiful things at the Library andthe experts who can tell me moreabout their work.What are some of your standoutprojects so far?Working with Jonathan, I have concentrated on bringing our areas ofexpertise to researchers beyondthe D.C. area through efforts suchas a webinar introducing the SouthAsia collections.I have also appreciated workingwith specialists in other divisionswho, like me, are interested in theuse of textiles in library collections.The Asian Division was primed tohost a display and panel event atthe beginning of May with severalother divisions focusing on textile-based items related to Asiaacross the Library. Unfortunately,because of the pandemic, we hadto cancel. But we have moved thepanel online. On Oct. 15 at 2 p.m.,speakers from the Main ReadingRoom, the Preservation Directorateand the Textile Museum at GeorgeWashington University willparticipate.Before COVID-19, I also startedtwo new web archiving collections, and I have contributed to athird started at the Islamabad fieldoffice.What do you enjoy doing outsidework?These days, most of my timeoutside work is spent writing mydissertation, which is enjoyable ina sense. I am also an avid cook,baker and embroiderer (a hangover from my fieldwork).What is something your coworkers may not know about you?I have a pet turtle, Shelly, wholoves kale and strawberries. BUILDING ACCESSThe C Street West doors are closedat the request of the U.S. Capitol Police to support its workforceduring the pandemic. Staff shouldenter and exit Library buildingsthrough the Independence Avenuedoors or the Madison Buildinggarage.

NEWSLITERACY AWARDS, CONTINUED FROM 1With the sudden closures ofschools and businesses becauseof the pandemic, literacy organizations have had to adjust quickly.Recognizing the importance oftheir efforts, the Library, in consultation with Rubenstein, repurposed 150,000 in awards moneythis year to support three organizations whose work is having adirect, positive impact on communities affected by recent events.“We worked with David Rubenstein,who wanted to find a way to recognize literacy organizations duringthese challenging times,” KaffieMilikin, the Library’s developmentdirector, said.Twenty-one previous recipientsof major Literacy Awards from theLibrary were invited to competethis year for three special awardsof 50,000 each. A committeemade up of award advisory boardmembers reviewed the applications and made recommendations to Librarian of CongressCarla Hayden. She announced herthree selections on Sept. 10. Theyare the National Center for Families Learning, Pratham Books andRoom to Read.“We are so pleased to recognizethe outstanding efforts of theseorganizations,” Hayden said. “Allthree winners of the 2020 DavidM. Rubenstein Special ResponseAwards have found multiple waysto continue their missions whileadapting to the evolving circumstances and needs of the communities they serve.”Founded in 1989, the NationalCenter for Families Learning (NCFL)provides programming, professional development and resourcesto help eliminate poverty throughmultigenerational learning. NCFLserves 150 communities in 39states and Washington, D.C. Itreceived the American Prize fromthe Literacy Awards program in2017.During the pandemic, NCFL hasfocused on the digital divide — thegulf between those who haveaccess to computers and theinternet and those who don’t — bypartnering with school districtsand other community-based organizations to provide technologyand Wi-Fi access, including mobilebus hotspots. The organizationhas also addressed issues such asfood insecurity and social isolation.In Kentucky, Texas and Colorado,NCFL packaged and delivered foodbundles with backpacks full ofengaging educational books andmaterials to families. In Louisville,Kentucky, NCFL’s hometown, itpartnered with a local nonprofit toproduce public service announcements about COVID-19 that featurefamilies as trusted communitymessengers. It also condemnedthe fatal shootings in the city thisyear of Breonna Taylor and DavidMcAtee, and it is taking steps touse its platforms for social justice.Established in 2004, PrathamBooks is a children’s book publisher based in Bangaluru, India,that has helped millions of childrengain access to engaging, affordable books in multiple languages.Pratham Books received the 2017International Prize.To further its mission, PrathamBooks launched StoryWeaver, anonline, digital repository of multilingual children’s stories that areopenly licensed, giving users freeaccess to them. The platform alsoenables the creation, translation,downloading and printing of stories through embedded tools. Therepository has over 23,000 storiesin 259 languages and continues togrow.As demand surged during thepandemic for digital learningresources, Pratham Books created programs that can be usedin low-resource environments,including a Learn at Home program, thematic reading lists,audiovisual books and a phonebased dial-a-story program thatallows a child to locate a story in achosen language by dialing a tollfree number.In addition, StoryWeaver translated 3,000 books in 28 new languages, including books about thecoronavirus, health and hygieneand social and emotional issues.UNESCO and the World Bank havelisted StoryWeaver as a resourcefor the homebound child duringthe pandemic.Room to Read seeks to transformthe lives of children in low-incomecommunities by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Its Literacy in Primary Schoolinitiative helps children becomeindependent readers throughcommunity engagement, provision of quality books and teachingtools and advocacy beyond theclassroom. The Girls’ Education inSecondary School Initiative supports girls in building skills to succeed academically and make keylife decisions through mentorshipand other means. To date, Roomto Read has worked in 16 countriesand benefited 20 million children.Room to Read received the DavidM. Rubenstein Prize in 2014.During the pandemic, Room toRead’s digital platform — LiteracyCloud (https://literacycloud.org) —originally developed for educatorsand book creators in Indonesia,was expanded exponentially. Itnow includes over 1,000 originalRoom to Read children’s booktitles in 19 languages. The titles areavailable as a free resource forstudents, parents and teachers inthe U.S. and around the world.Simultaneously, the organization is working to harness thepower of education to end systemic inequality and to build amore inclusive view of the humanexperience. Room to Read’s 1,600culturally diverse book titles teachchildren about how to relate toothers with empathy, toleranceand justice.“As COVID-19 and recent socialunrest continue to divide us, NCFL,Pratham Books and Room to Readhave found multiple ways to connect to their audiences and adaptto the evolving circumstances andneeds of the communities theyserve,” Milikin said.A Literacy Awards Program Interactive map and additional information on the awards and previous winners is available at read.gov/literacyawards. THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GAZETTE7

If a letter calls for management response, an explanation of a policy or actions or clarification of fact, we will ask for management response.— Ed. Library of Congress Gazette Washington, DC 20540-1620 Editorial: Mark Hartsell, 7-9194, mhartsell@loc.gov, or Wendi Maloney, 7-0979, wmal@loc.gov Design and production: Ashley Jones, 7-9193, gaze .