LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Volume 18, No. 1 A Weekly Newspaper for the Library Staff January 5, 2007 Special Guests Visit the Library Librarian Adds 25 Films for Preservation By SHERYL CANNADY any Americans typically spend the holiday season flocking to Mmovie theaters nationwide. But even as they enjoy the latest releases, vast portions of the nation’s movie heritage are vanishing. An estimated 50 percent of the films produced before 1950 and 80 to 90 per- cent made before 1920 have disappeared forever. The Library is working to stanch future losses by recognizing films that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant and working with many orga- Michaela McNichol nizations to preserve them. Santa and Mrs. Claus take time from their busy schedules to bring cheer to the Great Librarian of Congress James H. Bil- Hall, scene of the Library’s holiday program on Dec. 13. Posing for photos with the famous old couple are Pamela Hawe, Office of Inspector General, with daughter lington on Dec. 27 added 25 motion Nadia, 2 ½, and son, Alexander, 7 months. See photos on pages 6 and 7. pictures to the National Film Registry (see list below) to be preserved for all time, bringing the total number of films on the registry to 450. Section 108 Study Group Seeks In making the announcement, Billing- ton said: “The annual selection of films Public Comment in Chicago to the National Film Registry involves far series of roundtable discussions to elicit public commentary on possible copy- more than the simple naming of cherished A right law changes relating to libraries’ use of digital media continues this year and important films to a prestigious list. with a discussion from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., CST, on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at DePaul The registry should not be seen as ‘The University College of Law in Chicago. Kennedy Center Honors,’ ‘The Academy The Chicago event will be the third public roundtable convened by the Section Awards,’ or even ‘America’s Most Beloved 108 Study Group, which is charged with making recommendations on the exceptions Films.’ Rather, the registry is an invalu- and limitations applicable to libraries and archives under Section 108 of the Copyright able means to advance public awareness Act, especially as Section 108 affects libraries’ use of digital media. of the richness, creativity and variety of The U.S. Copyright Office and the Office of Strategic Initiatives of the Library of American film heritage, and to dramatize Congress placed a “Notice of a public roundtable with request for comments” in the the need for its preservation. Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 232, published on Dec. 4. A copy of the notice and “The selection of a film recognizes its additional information may be found at www.loc.gov/section108. The notice gives importance to American movie and cul- detailed instructions on how to become a roundtable participant and how to submit tural history, and to history in general. The written comments. Requests to participate must be received by the Section 108 Study registry stands among the finest summa- Group by 5 p.m. EST on Friday, Jan. 12. The deadline for receipt of written comments tions of more than a century of wondrous SECTION 108, Continues on page 3 FILM, Continues on page 4 2 T he G A Z ette JANUARY 5, 2007 NOTICES 2007 TSP Limit Increased to $15,500 The IRS Elected Deferral Limit for the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) has increased to The Gazette $15,500 for 2007, from $15,000 in 2006. A weekly newspaper for the Library of Congress staff Prior to 2006, federal employees could contribute no more than a fixed a per- MATTHEW RAYMOND Executive Editor centage of their annual salaries to tax-deferred savings plans managed by the TSP. GAIL FINEBERG Beginning in 2006, elective TSP contributions were limited only by restrictions Editor MICHAELA McNICHOL imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. The Internal Revenue Service increased Visual Information Specialist the annual maximum tax-deferred contribution to $15,500 for this calendar year, Contributing Editors: Erin Allen, Calendar; Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2007. Carlin “René” Sayles, Moving On and Length of Service; The IRS also permits eligible employees to make tax-deferred catch-up contribu- Runako Balondemu, Donated Leave tions of no more than $5,000 in 2007. If an employee is at least age 50 (or will become Contributing Photographers: Erin Allen, T.J. Jeffers, Michaela McNichol, Charlynn Spencer Pyne age 50 during the calendar year) and has made or will make the maximum amount Proofreader: George Thuronyi of employee contributions for the calendar year ($15,500 in 2007), the employee PETER BRAESTRUP JAMES W. McCLUNG may supplement his regular contribution with a tax-deferred catch-up contribution Founder Founding Publisher to the TSP account. (1990 – 1997) (1990 – 1994) The Thrift Savings Plan is a voluntary retirement savings and investment plan. An official publication of the Library of Congress, The Gazette The money Library employees save and earn through their TSP accounts will provide encourages Library managers and staff to submit articles and them with an important source of retirement income. A major advantage of the TSP photographs of general interest. Submissions will be edited to convey the most necessary information. is that contributions and earnings are tax-deferred — contributors pay no taxes until Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Wednesday, one week prior withdrawing TSP funds from their savings accounts. to publication date. Please submit text in digital form via email Library employees should review their leave-and-earnings statements to ensure ([email protected]) preferably as an attached Microsoft Word file. Back issues of The Gazette are available in the Public Affairs Office, that pay-period deductions for contributions to TSP savings accounts are as they LM 105, and issues dating from 2000 through the current issue are have designated. available online at www.loc.gov/staff/gazette. High-salaried FERS employees also should read TSP rules (“Annual Limit on Elec- Library of Congress tive Deferrals”), which are available online at www.tsp.gov, or consult with Human Washington, DC 20540-1620 Editor 707-9194, [email protected] Resources Services (HRS) personnel to determine how much to contribute to the Production 707-0970, [email protected] TSP account each pay period. TSP participants reaching the annual maximum too ISSN 1049-8184 quickly in a calendar year could lose some of their Agency Matching Contributions; these funds consist of the agency matching the first 5 percent of basic pay that an individual saves every pay period. Printed on paper that contains recycled paper by the Printing Management Section, Office Systems Services Employees must make any adjustments to their payroll deductions and contri- butions to TSP online, through the National Finance Center’s Employee Personal Gazette Welcomes Letters from Staff Page. The staff is invited to use the Forum pages for lively and thoughtful debate relevant to Library issues. However, just as Staff with questions regarding the TSP may visit the TSP Web site at www.tsp.gov other newspaper editors exercise discretion over which letters to publish and how to edit them, so do we. In deciding whether or call TSP at 877-968-3778. Employees with questions regarding how to calculate or how much to publish, we consider content (including mis- statements of fact, libel, innuendo, ridicule of individuals or deduction amounts or how to obtain NFC Employee Personnel Page passwords may the institution, personal attacks, and redundancy) and length contact HRS staff members Brenda Bunyasi at 7- 8305 or Cynthia Murphy at 7-5773. (the limit is 600 words). Letters must be signed by the author, whose place of work and telephone extension should be included so we can verify authorship. 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 manage- Interested in re-evaluating your management style? ment response, for example, an explanation of a policy or actions or clarification of fact, we will ask for management Contact on-site EAP counselor @ 7-6389, call 1-800-433-2320 or check out response.—Ed. www.cascadecenter.com for specific items related to management issues. All LOC employees and their benefit-eligible dependents are able to receive Deadlines for Editorial Content and Calendar Submissions services from the counselor on-site or up to three sessions at no charge for the Deadline for copy for Jan. 19 issue is counselor off-site close to work or home. o Wednesday, Jan. 10. Email to the Editor, Gail Fineberg, [email protected]. To promote events through the Library’s online calendar and the Gazette Calendar, email event and contact information to [email protected]. 35th Annual LCPA Employee Arts & Crafts Exhibit Dec. 6 - Feb. 28 Gazette at a glance . All staff are invited to tour the hallway gallery, sixth-floor blue core, Madison Building, Moving On 9, 10, 11 which will feature the artistry and handiwork of Library employees, past and present. Contact LCPA Art Show Committee chairman Valerie Mwalilino ([email protected]) or Calendar 12 publicity chairman Peter Seligman ([email protected]). www.loc.gov/staff/gazette JANUARY 5, 2007 T he G A Z ette Licensing Division Begins Operations in 21st-Century Office By JUDITH NIERMAN The Licensing Division of the Copy- right Office was moved from its old space in LM-458 to its new reengineered area on the fifth floor of the Madison Build- ing over the weekend of Dec. 8-10. On Monday morning, Dec. 11, Licensing Division employees reported to work in LM-502.