Gazette Volume 21, No

Gazette Volume 21, No. 38 • October 8, 2010 • A weekly publication for Library staff Exquisite Corpse Adventure Closes With a Yolk … We Mean a Joke

By Guy Lamolinara

10 a.m. in the National Book Festival Children’s Pavilion was the place to be for anyone who had been following “The Exquisite Corpse Adventure,” the exclu- sive episodic story on Read.gov. The standing-room-only crowd had come to hear the final episode of the story, which had launched a year ago, at the 2009 National Book Festival. National Ambassador for Young People’s Litera- ture Katherine Paterson wrote the final episode, and her predecessor as ambassador, Jon Scieszka, had written the first

Jason Hendricks episode. Along the way this zany story Volunteer Lois Ireland happily answers questions from a festivalgoer. For a slideshow of took its unpredictable path across 26 epi- images from the book festival, visit www.loc.gov/bookfest/gallery. sodes, through 16 different authors (and five illustrators), finally landing on Sept. 25, where Episode 27 had been adapted Volunteers Spread Joy at National for a “Readers’ Theater” presentation by three of the Exquisite Corpse authors Book Festival Sept. 25 (Paterson, M.T. Anderson and Linda Sue hey were everywhere, in red T-shirts: festival. “It’s just that simple.” Park) and two illustrators (Timothy Basil 848 volunteers, trained to give Volunteers take training in the week Ering and James Ransome). T friendly aid and solid information before the festival, learning the layout Stephen Schneider of the Library’s to the estimated 150,000 people who of the grounds, what is offered, and the Web Services Division designed a special attended the 2010 National Book Festi- job descriptions they will be asked to poster for the program by taking pieces val. fill, from staffing information booths to of the 27 illustrations and turning them They came from the Library of Con- managing the massive pavilions where into a “weather-beaten” collage poster gress, the general public and the Junior authors speak. They are also given training that was given away throughout the fes- League of Washington, which has staffed in security concerns, from how to care for tival grounds. The entire Web Services the book-signing lines and the Pavilion children separated from their parents to team was responsible for the interactive of the States at the festival for several how to help evacuate the National Mall book presentation of the story on Read. years. in the event of a serious weather threat gov, which attracted hundreds of thou- “We couldn’t put on the National Book or other potential emergency. sands of kids (and adults) from across Festival without the volunteers,” said Jen- Maxie Phillips has been a volunteer the country and around the world who nifer Gavin, project manager for the 2010 Volunteers, continued on page 6 ECA, continued on page 11 2 T h e LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Ga zette October 8, 2010

notices

Time Your Enemy? EAP can help. Gazette Feeling stuck when it comes to time management? The Library’s Employee www.loc.gov/staff/gazette Assistance Program can help. All Library employees and benefit-eligible dependents may contact the on-site counselor at 7-6389 or [email protected]. They MATTHEW RAYMOND also may call 1-888-290-4327 or go to www.guidanceresources.com to receive Executive Editor Erin Allen up to three sessions at no charge for off-site counseling close to home or work. Acting Editor

Contributing Editors: Erin Allen, Calendar; Carlin “René” Sayles, Moving On and Length of Service; Lisa Davis, Donated Leave 2010 Retirement-Planning and Financial-Education Proofreaders: Jennifer Gavin, George Thuronyi Seminars Design and Production: Ashley Jones peter braestrup Gail FinebErg James W. Mcclung Founder Founding Editor Founding Publisher Human Resource Services has scheduled Retirement and Financial Education (1990 – 1997) (1990 – 2009) (1990 – 1994) Seminars for 2010. These seminars will help staff prepare for their retirements and

with financial planning and assist staff on where to find resources. An official publication of the Library of Congress, The Gazette encourages Library managers and staff to submit articles and photographs of general interest. Submissions will be edited to The seminars target three main audiences – newly hired staff with five years or less convey the most necessary information. of service (course #LCRET100), mid-career with five–20 years of service (course Deadline for submission of articles is 5 p.m. Wednesday, one week prior to publication date. Please submit text in digital #LCRET200) and those five years or less from retirement (course #LCRET300). form via e-mail ([email protected]) preferably as an attached Microsoft Word file. To register for a session visit the Center for Learning Development (CLD) website Back issues of The Gazette in print are available in the Public Affairs Office, LM 105. at www.loc.gov/staff/cld/. Electronic archived issues and the a color PDF file of the current issue are available online at www.loc.gov/staff/gazette. Oct. 20–21: Mid-Career – course # LCRET200 Nov. 2–4: Pre-Retirement (FERS/CSRS) – course # LCRET300 Library of Congress Dec. 7–9: Pre-Retirement – course # LCRET300 Washington, DC 20540-1620 Editorial: Erin Allen, 7-7302, [email protected] Once you have logged onto the Online Learning Center, enter the course number Design and production: Ashley Jones, 7-9193, [email protected] in the “Search for Training” field. Click on SELECT at the bottom and then click ISSN 1049-8184 on “View Upcoming Classes and Enroll” link at the top. You may then select the Printed on paper that contains recycled paper by the desired course date to register. Printing Management Section, Office Systems Services

If you are having problems with the site or need a password, you may email CLD at Gazette Welcomes Letters from Staff [email protected] or call 7-6348. Staff is invited to use the Forum pages for lively and thoughtful debate relevant to Library issues. However, just as other newspaper editors exercise discretion over which letters to publish and how to edit them, so do we. In deciding whether or how much For additional HR-related information, please log on to the HR Intranet site at to publish, we consider content (including misstatements of fact, www.loc.gov/staff/hr or contact the HR Customer Service Center by visiting LM libel, innuendo, ridicule of individuals or the institution, personal attacks, and redundancy) and length (the limit is 600 words). 107 or calling 7-5627. Letters must be signed by the author, whose place of work and telephone extension should be included so we can verify author- ship. Letter writers should understand that when they sign their letters and release them to us for publication they are relinquishing privacy. If a letter calls for management response, for example, an explanation of a policy or actions or clarification of fact, we Last Chance to See Japanese Display will ask for management response.—Ed.

“Japanese Collection at the Library of Congress: Past, Present and Future” is on view through Saturday, Oct. 16 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in the Asian Gazette Deadlines Division Reading Room, LJ 150. The deadline for editorial copy for the Oct. 22 Gazette is Wednesday, Oct. 13. E-mail editorial copy and letters to the editor The display comprises more than 20 items dating from 770 A.D. to the present to [email protected]. in various formats – books, newspaper clippings, digital images – from the To promote events through the Library’s online calendar (www.loc.gov/loc/events) Library’s Japanese collection. and the Gazette Calendar, e-mail event and contact information to [email protected] by Curators will lead a tour through the display at 1 p.m. on Oct. 16. 9 a.m. Monday of the week of publication. Boxed announcements should be submitted electronically (text files) by 9 a.m. Monday Contact 7-2990. the week of publication to [email protected]. October 8, 2010 T h e LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Ga zette 3

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at McDonalds with Obama.” Obama “remains mysterious.” Remnick expressed dismay that so Though smears are not unusual in much misinformation about Obama is American political history, according being disseminated. The author said to Remnick, those against Obama take Obama was born in Hawaii and is on outsized importance and danger a Christian, although polls show 20 and are more pointed and electrifying percent of the American public believe because Obama is the first African he is a Muslim. According to Remnick, American in the White House. top-level Republican politicians con- Remnick said he had no desire to tinue to disseminate smears about the write about the Obama presidency and president’s background. Recently, Mis- ended the book at the White House sissippi Gov. Haley Barbour, a possible door. presidential candidate himself, said Barry Wheeler David Remnick “Mysterious” Pavilion of the States Obama Revealed in Remnick’s Biography By Donna Urschel

David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, explained to the audience in the History & Biography Pavilion why he wanted to write a biography of Barack Obama when the U. S. president himself had already written a best-selling autobiography.“There still was a story to tell, a story that had not been told and a story with depth,” said

Remnick, author of “The Bridge: The Pat Fisher Life and Rise of Barack Obama.” “My goal was to separate the wheat from Since it first appeared at the 2002 National Book Festival, the Center for the the chaff, the fact from the myth.” Book has organized and managed the Pavilion of the States. It is the place Remnick wanted to present a where festivalgoers can learn about the center’s reading and literacy promotion activities, as well as the literary traditions and reading promotion projects of the detailed account of Obama’s ascent, 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. territo- and he interviewed many of Obama’s ries. childhood and college friends, family Representatives from throughout the nation, with help from more than 100 members, Chicago allies and even volunteers from the Junior League of Washington, distributed materials and answered questions about each state’s writers, libraries, book festivals, book the president himself. In fact, he inter- awards and literacy programs. viewed Obama twice. Many authors delighted their fans and homestate friends by making scheduled “But that’s not where the good stuff visits to their state tables to sign autographs and to greet and be photographed comes from,” he said. “The good stuff with their fans, including author Rebecca Stead seen here signing a copy of her book “First Light” at the New York State Center for the Book table. comes from talking to someone for a couple of days who has spent a couple of years sitting in meetings and eating Read the Gazette in color at www.loc.gov/staff/gazette 4 T h e LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Ga zette October 8, 2010

national Book festival 2010 Poetry & Prose Pavilion Authors Discuss Writing Process

By Donna Urschel

The Poetry & Prose Pavilion featured a stellar lineup of authors, including a winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, two Pulitzer Prize-winning poets and a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist. Many of the esteemed authors discussed their writing processes – the methods they use to create their work. Poet Elizabeth Alexander opened the festivities in the pavilion with a reading of 10 poems. Poetry, she told the audience, is the human voice. “Poetry reaches across voids that separate human beings,” she said. The most important part of writing, said Alexander, is the editing. “That’s Cecelia Rogers most of what I do–pages and pages of editing.” Author Jonathan Franzen spoke to a packed crowd in the Poetry & Prose Pavilion. Critically acclaimed and best-selling author Jonathan Franzen, whose latest novel is “Freedom,” devoted his presentation to answering “four unwelcomed questions” that he frequently receives. The first was “who are your influences?” Franzen said today he is mostly influenced by his own past writing. “Direct influences make sense in very young writers. At age 21, I was influenced by C.S. Lewis, Isaac Asimov and P.G. Wodehouse.” Through the years, he has been influenced by Don DeLillo, Franz Kafka, the 19th-century Russian writers and F. Scott Fitzgerald. “Almost everything you read leaves a mark,” he said. The second question was “what time of day do you work and what do you write on?” Franzen didn’t answer. He said, “This line of questioning seems

innocuous, but I find it personal and Cecelia Rogers invasive.” The third question: “Do characters Attendees ask questions following a presentation by author Orhan Pamuk in the Poetry take over and force you to take the story & Prose Pavilion. in a certain direction?” Franzen said, “This question always raises my blood author can’t.” The author said some details can be pressure.” In short, the answer is no. “An The fourth question: “Is your fiction autobiographical, such as Chip’s visit author’s job is to create meaning and autobiographical?” Franzen said, “I’m with his dad at the hospital in “The Cor- have the characters do what needs to suspicious of any author if he answers rections.” be done,” he said. “The reason a char- ‘no,’ but my inclination is to say no. Most Gail Godwin, author of “Unfinished acter can’t do something is because the of my novels are not autobiographical.” Desires,” said she got the idea for her October 8, 2010 T h e LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Ga zette 5

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how it affects his entire life. games for me. But they are not essen- Pamuk’s presentation was in the tial things. My books have layers upon format of a question-and-answer ses- layers of meaning. What is essential is sion with Marie Arana, author of several the narrative.” books including “American Chica,” and When asked by an audience member a writer-at-large for The Washington how stories come to him, Pamuk said, Post. Arana asked Pamuk questions “Really, it’s so hard to remember how primarily about his writing process. details come to me. Picture a novel as Pamuk was born in Istanbul and a big, big oak tree. No author in any grew up in a large family. His grandfa- moment of inspiration can dream it all ther and father were successful engi- at once. Slowly, leaf by leaf, you build neers. Pamuk studied architecture at a novel.” Cecelia Rogers Istanbul Technical University, but at age In 2005, Pamuk ran into trouble with Orhan Pamuk 23 he decided to become a novelist and, Turkey when he made a statement about giving up everything else, retreated to the mass killings of Armenians and Orhan Pamuk Discusses his flat and began to write. Kurds in the Ottoman Empire. Pamuk Early in his career, Pamuk said, he was charged with crimes against the Writing As Craft liked to write from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., take government. An international outcry By Donna Urschel a break and continue from midnight ensued, and some of the charges were to 4 a.m. dropped. The case is ongoing. In a one-hour session in the Poetry & “Why did I like to work during the “Things happen when a writer is Prose Pavilion, esteemed author Orhan night? Because in Istanbul there are 10 from a troubled part of the world, where Pamuk, winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize million people sleeping, and I feel like free speech is troubled. In Turkey, free in Literature, told the standing room- I’m the only one awake, which brings speech is troubled. I don’t want to pose only audience that genius is overrated a sense of urgency and importance to as a brave political person, because I in authors because writing is a craft, a the creativity,” Pamuk said. “They’re am not. I am a brave writer, but I don’t manual labor of the mind. sleeping, but I’m doing something very want politics to be any part of my life,” “People don’t realize the craftsman special.” he said. labor that goes into writing. It’s not cre- Arana asked Pamuk why so many of A member of the audience asked the ative genius all the time. Most of the his books have puzzles within puzzles. author if creative writing can be taught. time I’m turning around sentences,” “Are they deliberate boxes?” she asked. Pamuk answered, “Reading books is the said Pamuk, whose latest book is “The Pamuk referred to them as “Borgesian first step to becoming a writer. Then it’s Museum of Innocence,” the tale of a tricks” and said, “For me, they are orna- just life–the cleverness, strength and man’s obsessive love for a woman and mental rather than essential. They are luck that you bring to it.”

recent novel from her book editor, who Rae Armantrout, the 2010 winner “I write my way into it, but I don’t neces- asked about her favorite type of ghost of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for her sarily settle it.” stories. Godwin realized that she liked book “Versed,” said she grew up in a Chang-rae Lee, the Korean-American ghost stories that are psychological, in world where literature was a distant author of “Surrendered,” talked about which characters are haunted from the reality. Luckily, her mom bought a set his daily routine. “My writing process is inside, and the characters in “Unfinished of encyclopedias for children, and two very ordinary. I really treat it like a job. Desires” are haunted. volumes were devoted to poetry. This was I get the kids off to school and then I sit Godwin also lamented the abbrevi- Armantrout’s introduction to poetry, the down to write. I stop for lunch. Lunch ated title of her new book. The original cadences and the images. She also had is very important. Then I have a lunch title was “The Red Nun: A Tale of Unfin- the good fortune to have a first-grade coma, so I need to rest and read a bit. ished Desires.” Her editor begged her to teacher and a seventh-grade teacher who Then I work a couple more hours until change it, because her editor thought both loved poetry and taught Armantrout the girls come home from school.” readers wouldn’t buy a book about nuns. to love it too. Lee explained, “I’m a very slow writer. Godwin changed it but still likes the The poet said she often starts a poem original title. when she feels puzzled about something. poetry, continued on page 10 6 T h e LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Ga zette October 8, 2010

national Book festival 2010 Abby Brack Ashley Jones Abby Brack Kimberly Powell

Clockwise, top left : Volunteers Dave Miller and Denise McCray look at a map of the festival grounds in between author-transport assign- ments. Information-booth volunteer Paul Sayers hands out National Book Festival totes to fesivalgoers. Volunteers Mandi Long and Carrie Seaton posed with a PBS character at the National Book Festival. Kimberly Powell (left) volunteered as a National Book Festival photographer and Debra McCelvy worked as her note-taker volunteer for the day.

volunteers, continued from page 1 where assigned–staffing pavilions and fact that we have it! This is an empha- checking in volunteers. sis on books and the people who write for all 10 years of the decade-old National Remembering the first National Book the books. You can come and see a live Book Festival. This year, she helped check Festival, held in and around the Library’s author, maybe even get your book auto- in hundreds of other volunteers as they Thomas Jefferson Building–and mobbed– graphed” and sometimes get a backstory reported for duty. she said, “It was crowded. But it was excit- about a favorite tale that one can’t get any Asked about her steadiness in appear- ing crowded.” other way. ing year after year, she said, “It just sort Asked what is unique about the “All the volunteers are excited to be of happened.” She’s been happy to work National Book Festival, Phillips said, “The there and hope they can be there again,” Phillips said. u October 8, 2010 T h e LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Ga zette 7

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was 8, had to sleep on top of the car. that something like that had happened During the night, the train hit some- to him. He never talked about it,” Lee thing and lurched. The younger brother said. fell between the cars, and a train wheel Eventually, Lee, who had been amputated his leg. Lee’s father carried haunted by his father’s story, consid- him back to the car, to the rest of his ered writing a novel about the ravages family, where the young boy died of of the Korean War and its effect on sev- blood loss. eral refugees emigrating to America. “My father is a psychiatrist. None The Lee family tragedy is the basis for of his actions during my life betrayed the first chapter in “Surrendered.”

Let’s Read America Cecelia Rogers Chang-rae Lee

Tragic Family Events Turn To Novel Inspiration for Chang-rae Lee By Donna Urschel

In the Poetry & Prose Pavilion, Chang-rae Lee revealed the tragic family event that led to the writing of his recent novel “Surrendered.” Lee had been a college student at Yale, taking a class in modern Korean history, and had to fulfill a writing assignment for the class. He decided to interview his father, a Korean-American Ashley Jones psychiatrist, who was a child in Korea Reading promotion projects sponsored by the festival’s corporate sponsors were during the Korean War. presented in the two Let’s Read America pavilions. Among the sponsors were Scholastic, Target and The Penguin Group. “My dad had never talked about the Scholastic’s activities were centered on the theme “Read Every Day. Lead a Better war, and I was curious,” Lee said. Life,” a global literacy campaign that underscores the importance of reading to The author’s father and his family better prepare children with strong literacy skills to survive and succeed in the were originally from the north, and 21st century. Seen here, visitors sign their names on the wall, showing their sup- port. they joined the throngs of people who In addition, Target invited everyone to send “Mail from the Mall,” where festivalgo- headed south to escape the fighting and ers had the opportunity to write and mail custom photo postcards to anywhere in get behind the American forces. They the world. Target also provided information about three programs it sponsors that often traveled on foot and sometimes nurture a child’s love of reading. Reach Out and Read puts books in the hands of parents through pediatrician visits and United Through Reading helps military by train. families stay connected through reading. One night the family was traveling The Penguin Group and the Pearson Foundation offered photos with “the Pen- through the countryside on a freight guin,” storytimes throughout the day, and “We Give Books,” a new online reading train. The boxcars were so jammed with site. At their activity tables, kids could create their own personalized bookmarks people that Lee’s father, 12 years old at and participate in other crafts. the time, and his younger brother, who 8 T h e LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Ga zette October 8, 2010

national Book festival 2010 Contemporary Life Pavilion a Melting Pot of Authors, Presentations

By Korey Freeman and Erin Allen

The Contemporary Life Pavilion at the National Book Festival was cooking up a storm in words and wonder Sept. 25, beginning with a trio of authors known for their skills in and out of the kitchen. “Top Chef” favorite Spike Mendel- sohn kicked things off with a presentation about his cookbook, “The Good Stuff Cookbook: Burgers, Fries, Shakes, Wedges and More.” Mendelsohn, who just returned from filming “Top Chef: All Stars,” said he wanted to “give back to the fans of the show” and to make a cookbook that called for “easy-to-shop-for ingredients.” The noted chef also owns Capitol Hill Meg Greene restaurants We, The Pizza and Good Stuff Author Spike Mendelsohn discusses his book, “The Good Stuff Cookbook: Burgers, Fries, Shakes, Wedges and More.” Eatery, which he hopes to expand across the country. Noticeably missing during the festival was Mendelsohn’s trademark fedora. “I’m trying to ditch the hat,” he quipped. “Trying to grow out my hair.” “The Pioneer Woman” author and blogger Ree Drummond discussed her journey from city girl to country girl. “I plan on blogging forever or until I gain 20 pounds,” she said in her opening comments. Thanks to a “rugged cowboy,” whom she married, Drummond ditched her black pumps and pedicures to move to a cattle ranch in Oklahoma. About two years ago, she began chronicling her rural experiences on ThePioneerWoman.com, where she shares her family life, recipes and more with a legion of fans. Her best- selling “The Pioneer Woman Cooks” Nancy Alfaro (HarperCollins) is filled with recipes she Author Ree Drummond happily poses with festivalgoers Shelly, Zachary and Zoe Perry. loves to cook on the ranch. Some fans asked how her kids handle her blogging about their family life. Others tion–she’s afraid of flying–she told the Italy.” Specializing in Italian and Croa- simply wanted to thank her for the cook- audience member to get in touch. tian cuisine, Bastianich also owns four book on behalf of themselves and their An enthusiastic audience greeted acclaimed New York City restaurants– spouses. One audience member even “America’s favorite Italian teacher,” Lidia Felidia, Becco, Esca and Del Posto–in offered flying lessons in exchange for Matticchio Bastianich, who talked about addition to Lidia’s in Pittsburgh and cooking lessons. After an initial hesita- her life, career and her PBS series, “Lidia’s Kansas City. October 8, 2010 T h e LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Ga zette 9

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Bastianich stressed the importance of Discussing his book “The Difficulty of “It can mean many things – law, duty, the table and family. “I think a table filled Being Good: The Subtle Art of Dharma” virtue. Essentially, the doing the right with food and family is really magical. was Gurcharan Das. thing. Good moral reasoning is behind Everyone connects to the table.” “You do me honor by coming to good moral action.” Also noting the importance of family listen to me,” he told his audience, which Other participants in the Contempo- was Craig Robinson, author of “A Game included Librarian of Congress James H. rary Life Pavilion were Jonathan Safran of Character: A Family Journey from Billington. Foer, whose book “Everything Is Illumi- Chicago’s Southside to the Ivy League In his book, Das examines contem- nated” won the National Jewish Book and Beyond.” In his book, the Oregon porary moral failures through the lens Award and was made into a motion State University head basketball coach of the “Mahabharata,” a 2,000-year-old picture; Pulitzer Prize-winners Richard and brother of Michelle Obama presents text that is one of the two major Sanskrit Rhodes and Edward O. Wilson, recog- life lessons he learned from his father, epics of ancient India. The “Mahabharata” nized as the world’s leading authority Fraser Robinson. discusses the four “goals of life,” including on ants; winner of the Nobel Prize in “The book is really a tribute to my “dharma,” or right action. physiology or medicine Harold Varmus; parents, whose lessons resonate in the “I’m obsessed with dharma,” said and journalist Michele Norris, whose classroom, the boardroom, everywhere,” the former vice president and managing recent book is “The Grace of Silence: A Robinson said. director for Procter & Gamble Worldwide. Memoir.” u

man,” said Robinson. college. “All he was trying to do He also spoke of a time as a was provide a good life young man when his father taught for us, good lessons.” him a lesson about money. Think- When his father, ing his dad was wealthy, Robinson Fraser, died 19 years sat down with his father to prove ago, Robinson worried his point. that his dad’s stories “My dad went and cashed his would die with him. whole paycheck,” he said. But it wasn’t until the Robinson’s dad laid all the Democratic National money–only a few hundred dollars– Convention two years in front of him and proceeded to Abby Brack ago that Robinson go through it, separating amounts Craig Robinson decided to do some- for bills, savings and such. The pile thing about it. eventually dwindled to nothing, “I was backstage and thought, showing a young Robinson that Father’s Lessons Wouldn’t it be nice if my dad was here in the end every dollar had a pur- Inspire Robinson with us?” he said. “At that moment, pose. I knew I had to do it–put pencil to “That lesson has stayed with me By Erin Allen paper.” my entire life,” he said. “First there Robinson related some of those is the saving lesson. Then there is When it comes to his book, “A stories, poignantly and with pride–like the value of a dollar lesson, which Game of Character,” Craig Robinson how his parents paid for both him and is so hard to teach people. There’s owes much to his parents–partic- his sister to go to Princeton using credit the hard work lesson. ularly his father. Speaking before cards. A lot of credit cards. “But most of all, he asked me a packed house in the Contempo- “My dad had like 15 of them. Now what I thought after the fact. And rary Life Pavilion, he related the life that’s sacrifice and teamwork,” Rob- it taught me and my sister how to lessons his dad instilled in him that inson said of his parents’ diligence in think. And that is why I wrote ‘A continue to shape him today. paying the cards off so he and Michelle Game of Character.’ It is chock-full “My dad was just a hard-working could have the opportunity to go to of lessons like that.” 10 T h e LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Ga zette October 8, 2010

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pating in a talk moderated by perseverance wins in the end. author and former Washington “In a way, it’s true, but I also wrote Post Book World editor Marie about a man who did the same,” said Arana, Allende discussed some Allende of her novel “The Infinite of her books, her research, Plan.” her family history and even In 1987, she met “the last hetero- how she met her husband. She sexual man in San Francisco,” who also received the Library’s 2010 proceeded to tell her his life story. National Book Festival Creative “I ended up going to bed with him Achievement Award. and then marrying him for my visa,” Allende’s uncle was Chilean quipped Allende. “We’ve been mar- President Salvador Allende, ried 23 years.” who was assassinated in 1973 Allende’s written about the Haitian during a military coup. Believ- Revolution (“The Island Beneath the ing it was unsafe to remain in Sea”) and Spanish conquistadora Inés Chile, she and her husband Suárez (“Inés of My Soul”), personal and two children fled to Ven- memoirs, a trilogy of high-adventure ezuela. novels following teenage hero Alex- “My life has always been as ander Cold, and even a retelling of a foreigner. … I am legal, by Zorro. Jason Hendrick Associate Librarian for Library Services Deanna the way,” she said, jokingly. Arana asked her why each book is Marcum (right) presents Isabel Allende with the While in exile, she wrote so different and why she experiments 2010 National Book Festival Creative Achievement her first novel, “The House of with such different plotlines. Award. the Spirits,” which she began “Well, I wish we could do the same Isabel Allende Charms on Jan. 8, 1981. Since then, Allende with husbands,” Allende jested. “Really, always begins writing a new book on it’s a seed that grows from an idea that Crowd, Receives Award that day. has personal meaning. From there the At Festival “It’s both rigorous and superstitious,” story unfolds.” she said of her practice. “‘The House of Allende joked that she “plagiarizes, By Erin Allen the Spirits’ was such a lucky book for of course.” me. It paved the way for all my other “First, I read the history books. Funny and energetic, Chilean- work.” The rest is a little bit of imagination,” American writer Isabel Allende According to Arana, Allende has she said. “Once you have the time and opened the day of author presenta- created “one major opus” in her books: place researched, then you write about tions in the Fiction & Mystery Pavilion the story of a woman who struggles the people. People are the same. We at the National Book Festival. Partici- against adversity but through love and felt the same 200 years ago.”

Poetry, continued from page 5 director of the creative writing program cutting text during the rewrite. at George Washington University, who The Poetry & Prose Pavilion closed Writing is painstaking and difficult work. talked about his book “Yours Ever: with a presentation by Pulitzer Prize-win- I’m always distrustful of people who say People and Their Letters,” and Natasha ning novelist Jane Smiley, whose recent it is not difficult work.” Trethewey, winner of the 2007 Pulitzer book is “Private Life.” Smiley said that Orhan Pamuk, winner of the 2006 Prize in Poetry, who read from her new some of her main characters are inspired Nobel Prize in Literature, devoted most of book “Beyond Katrina: A Meditation on by members of her family, but the stories his one-hour session to talking about his the Mississippi Gulf.” about the characters are fiction. writing process. Pamuk said he always Allegra Goodman, author of “The About the writing process, Smiley wanted to be a writer. “I could imagine Cookbook Collector,” said she spends said, “Some books seem to be given myself writing alone in a room, spend- a lot of time writing notes about the to you from the outside. They come in ing a life.” characters and other details when she a rush … in a piece.” She also said, “I Other participants in the Poetry & writes a book. As she’s gotten older, she’s don’t like to write too many drafts. Two Prose Pavilion included Thomas Mallon, become “more and more ruthless” about or three is optimum.” u October 8, 2010 T h e LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Ga zette 11

national Book festival 2010

up signs for the audience, signal- ing them when to cheer or hiss. There were more hisses than cheers, however, such as when Hunch asked one of the Eggy- Things to “give us your yolks!” And an Eggy-Thing replied: “Then the yolk will be on you, old voman!” The jokes just got better (or worse): ”Knock, Knock!” “Who’s there?” “Oregon.” “Oregon, who?” “Ore-e-gonna take over the world?” What followed were more hisses and boos from the audience.

Michaela McNichol Throughout the tale, the Mary Brigid Barrett, James Ransome, Katherine Paterson, Timothy Basil Ering, Linda Sue Park and twins, Joe and Nancy Sloppy, M.T. Anderson presented the final chapter in The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, adapted for a “Read- ers’ Theater,” to a delighted audience. who had run away from the circus where they were raised, eca, continued from page 1 characters were represented: Joe and had been searching for their parents, who Nancy Sloppy, Genius Kelly the pig, Hathi were trapped in another time dimension. read the story. the elephant, Pirandello, Angel, Boppo When the Sloppys were finally reunited, John Y. Cole, director of the Center the clown, Sybil Hunch and, of course, the Elephant Clown Party that had begun for the Book, which collaborated on the Roberta the robot–aka the Exquisite the story could now resume. project with one of its reading-promo- Corpse–and some new ones: the Eggy- Eventually, the Eggy-Things were done tion partners, the National Children’s Thing Chorus. in by “their own rotten humor.” Book and Literacy Alliance, opened the But first, the Exquisite Corpse had to And as the narrator of the story con- program by recognizing the schoolchil- be assembled. Barrett tested the authors’ cluded: “I won’t say it was the end of dren from Prince William County Public knowledge of the story. Each time they all their adventures, for Nancy and Joe Schools who had been bused in just for answered correctly, another piece of the were an adventurous pair, but it brings the occasion. He then turned the program Corpse was attached to its body, until to a close ‘The Exquisite Corpse Adven- over to Mary Brigid Barrett, president finally, its heart was added, completing ture–evil conquered, family united, and and executive director of NCBLA, who Roberta. friends who lived, I’m quite sure, hap- introduced the Readers’ Theater cast. Barrett’s executive program director, pily ever after.” And finally, the audience The familiar “Exquisite Corpse” Geri Eddins, had been recruited to hold cheered. u

“The Compassion of Individuals,The Power of Community”

2010 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) at the Library of Congress AGENCY FAIR

10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13, Madison Hall For more information, contact LC CFC Campaign Manager Ribbon cutting at 9:45 a.m. Ann Peele at 7-8046.

Come and meet representatives from 60 organizations that Request ADA accommodation five business days in advance benefit from contributions to the CFC. at 7-6362 or email [email protected] 12 T h e LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Ga zette October 8, 2010

calendar

october the public for a special open Southwest Pavilion. Contact Middleton, James Wintle and friday house. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., 7-9203. Anne McLean present “Early 8 Thomas Jefferson Building. Music at the Library: Tracking CFC Book Sale: 9 a.m.– 6 LC Chorale Rehearsal: Open Contact 7-8000. to all. Holiday concert is Dec. 85 Years of Performance p.m., Mumford Room, LM Practice History” prior to the 649. Contact 7-6019. october 14. 12:05 p.m., LM 516-A. Contact 7-6408. English Concert performance. Tai Chi: Yang Style 12 tuesday 6:15 p.m., Whittall Pavilion. 37-posture short form. Noon, Concert: Sibirskaya Vechora Aerobics Class: Strength Contact 7-5502. LM SB-02. Contact 7-4055. performs traditional songs training and floor exercise. 12:30 p.m., LC Wellness Concert: The English Bloomsday Camerata: from Siberia. Noon, Coolidge Concert performs selections Auditorium. Contact 7-8943. Center, LA B-36. Contact Reading through Giovanni 7-8637. from Monteverdi, Handel and Boccaccio’s “The Tai Chi: Yang Style Dowland. 8 p.m., Coolidge Decameron.” Noon, LM 536. 37-posture short form. Noon, Yoga/Pilates: Start at your Auditorium. Tickets are Contact 7-0013. LM SB-02. Contact 7-4055. own level. 1 p.m., LM SB-02. required. Contact 7-5502. Contact 7-3013. Aerobics Class: Strength Aerobics Class: High-Low. Film: “The Big Trail” (Fox, training and floor exercise. Noon, LC Wellness Center, Tai Chi: Intermediate level. 1930). 7:30 p.m., Packard Noon, LC Wellness Center, LA LA B-36. Contact 7-8637. Strengthening exercises and Campus Theater, Culpeper, B-36. Contact 7-8637. two-person drills. 4:30 p.m., Va. Contact 7-9994. Meditation: Open to all. LM SB-02. Contact 7-4055. Lecture: Israeli playwright 12:15 p.m., LA G-06. Contact october Joshua Sobol discusses [email protected]. Concert: The Arcanto Quartet Friday his work. Noon, African and performs Mozart, Ravel and 15 Books and Beyond: Paolo Bartók. 8 p.m., Coolidge Tai Chi: Yang Style Middle Eastern Division Ventura discusses and Reading Room, LJ 220. Auditorium. Tickets required. 37-posture short form. Noon, signs copies of his book Contact 7-5502. LM SB-02. Contact 7-4055. Contact 7-3779. “Winter Stories.” 3 p.m., Mary Preconcert Presentation: Pickford Theater, LM 301. october Bloomsday Camerata: John Moran of the Peabody Contact 7-5221. thursday Reading through Giovanni 14 Boccaccio’s “The Institute at Johns Hopkins october Blood Drive: 8:30 a.m.–1:15 University presents “Priest, Decameron.” Noon, LM 536. Wednesday p.m., Mumford Room, LM Contact 7-0013. Freedom Fighter, Dilettante: 13 649. Contact 7-8035. Three Composers (and the Blood Drive: 8:30 a.m.–1:15 Aerobics Class: Strength Agent Who Made Them p.m., Mumford Room, LM EAP Seminar: Happiness: training and floor exercise. Stars).” 6:15 p.m., Whittall 649. Contact 7-8035. A Key to Life’s Satisfaction. Noon, LC Wellness Center, LA Pavilion. Contact 7-5502. Noon, National Digital B-36. Contact 7-8637. CFC Agency Fair: 10 a.m.–1 Learning Center. Contact Concert: Ensemble 415 p.m., Madison Hall. Contact [email protected]. Books and Beyond: Robert presents works by Bach, 7-8046. Darnton discusses and signs Aerobics Class: High-Low. Vivaldi and Sammartini. 8 Tai Chi: All levels. 11:30 his book “The Case for Books: p.m., Coolidge Auditorium. Noon, LC Wellness Center, LA Past, Present and Future.” a.m., LC Wellness Center, LA B-36. Contact 7-8637. Tickets required. Contact B-36. Contact 7-2617. Noon, West Dining Room, LM 7-5502. Yoga: Noon, LM SB-02. 621. Contact 7-5221. Forum: Bible study. Open to Contact 7-5984. october all. Noon, LM 613. Contact Lecture: Book collector Carol monday [email protected]. Meditation: Open to all. Fitzgerald gives a talk as part 11 12:15 p.m., LA G-06. Contact of the National Collegiate Homegrown Concert: The Columbus Day Holiday: [email protected]. Book Collecting symposium. Not Too Bad Bluegrass Band All reading rooms and 5:30 p.m., Mumford Room, performs bluegrass music Kluge Center Lecture: the Adams and Madison LM 649. Contact 7-5221. buildings will be closed in from Indiana. Noon, Coolidge Jeffrey Alexander discusses observance of the federal Auditorium. Contact 7-5510. his book “The Performance Film: Featuring the debut of of Politics: Obama’s Victory the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Independence Day holiday. Gallery Talk: Mark and the Democratic Struggle Organ: “The Man Who The Great Hall and exhibitions Dimunation presents “Mr. for Power.” 4 p.m., LJ 119. Laughs” (Universal, 1928). will be open. 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 Jefferson Goes Shopping: Contact 7-2692. 7:30 p.m., Packard Campus p.m. Contact 7-8000. The Influence of the French Theater, Culpeper, Va. Book Market on Thomas Preconcert Presentation: Open House: The Main Contact 7-9994. Reading Room is open to Jefferson’s Library.” Noon, The Music Division’s Norman

Donated Time The following Library employees have satisfied the eligibility requirements to receive leave donations from other staff members. Contact Lisa Davis at 7-0033.

Julie Biggs Richard Fitzgerald Donald Marcus Malvina Shimanov Tammy Bryant Procha Holley Parthenia Palmer Nancy Smith Lisa Dove Henry Lefkowitz Kristen Oravec Karla Walker Jennifer Eidson Hannah Lynch Suzanne Salgado Carol Zimmerman

Request ADA accommodations for events five business days in advance at 7-6362 or [email protected]. See www.loc.gov/loc/events for the Library’s online calendar.