Unlocking history at the Library of Congress

By Rachel Gordon
Program Director for the LOC Box program
Library of Congress

I have had the pleasure of getting to know the Live It Learn It organization and staff over the past 18 months. The LOC Box program is a 2 – 2 ½ hour hands-on exploration of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building for students in grades 4-6.  In the two seasons of the LOC Box Program so far, Live It Learn It has brought in 12 groups of 5th graders from 9 different DC schools.  Using a variety of reading, writing, drawing and observation skills as they work through different activities in small, chaperone-led groups, the students discover information that teaches them both about the building and the Library.

Looking for symbols related to knowledge and wisdom

We have collaborated since before the program went public in September 2010, working closely to enable the Live It Learn It staff to tailor the program to best serve their students. It has been impressive to see how much care the organization takes to prepare the children before the trip.  The results of these efforts are evident as soon as the groups arrive at the Library; their pleased recognition of their surroundings and their excitement at how they are going to put their knowledge into practice is palpable.

Analyzing the Minerva mosaic in preparation for creating their own artwork

In true 5th grader fashion they are particularly impressed by the first stop, the fancy bathrooms (“Whoa! It’s all marble!” is a commonly heard refrain at this stage of the visit) and their sense of awe at the beauty of the building only increases when they get to the magnificent Great Hall. The children are so pleased to make the connection between the physical building and their pre-visit lesson and to use this knowledge as they work their way through the different activities with the Live It Learn It staff.

Exploring the occupations represented by the putti sculptures

The visit concludes with a tour of two of the building’s highlights, the Main Reading Room & the Thomas Jefferson Library. Here again, it is clear how much information the students have absorbed from their Live It Learn It preparatory lesson. In Thomas Jefferson’s Library in particular, hands fly into the air in their eagerness to share what they know about the third president and his books or to ask questions about his life and interests.  

As well as interacting with the children during this part of the tour I enjoy watching the reaction of other visitors in the space. Many of them are clearly impressed that a 200 year old book collection would generate so much enthusiasm in a group of elementary school students. 

Creating a mosaic

One of the most rewarding aspects of the visits is the students’ sense of accomplishment as we wind up the visit. Each child leaves with the workbook he or she has used for the program. These books contain additional activities for them to do at home or school as well as more information about the Library. Live It Learn It staff will reinforce what they have learned during their follow up classroom visit by incorporating questions and subjects that came up on the trip.

But best of all, they leave knowing that they can come back. The imposing granite façade that might have seemed rather forbidding just a few hours ago is a place that they now realize they are free to explore further. Were it not for Live It Learn It, most of them would probably never have even entered the Library of Congress, let alone become budding experts in the construction of a mosaic or the way in which Thomas Jefferson categorized his books. This sense of ownership and of empowerment is something of which Live It Learn It and the organization’s dedicated staff members can be justly proud.

I look forward to our continuing collaboration during future seasons of the LOC Box Program.