Volume 31, No. 31 LIBRARY August 14, 2020 GAZETTEOF CONGRESS A weekly publication for staff INSIDE

Library Receives Major Gift The Annenberg Foundation has donated $1 million to the Library, along with 1,000 photographic prints. PAGE 3 Law Library Quiet New Workplace Foreign law specialist Elin Hofverberg of the Global Legal Research Directorate A Congressional Research Service conducts one of many webinars the directorate has presented this year. associate director shares his impres- sions of working during phase one of restoration of on-site Library operations. Law Library’s Research Team Tracks PAGE 4 Global COVID-19 Response By many measures, the team’s productivity has Mandatory Training increased this spring and summer. The deadline to complete two required courses is Sept. 11. BY LUIS ACOSTA tion proved valuable as Congress PAGE 5 sought to continue legislation and When the COVID-19 pandemic shut oversight while navigating the down most of Washington, D.C., pandemic. and threatened the ability of Con- gress to get its work done, con- Since that first COVID-19 study, gressional staffers wanted to learn GLRD has carried out two addi- how other countries were carry- tional multinational studies, ing out legislative functions while reported on the pandemic for the staying safe from the disease. Law Library’s legal news service They turned to the Law Library of and blog, prepared a Coronavirus Congress’ Global Legal Research Resource Guide and presented Directorate (GLRD) to find out. multiple webinars. GLRD responded with a com- One congressional staffer described GLRD’s recent work Q&A: Derrick Dodson parative study of how national legislatures in 36 countries were as “characteristically stellar,” The Interpreting Services Program spe- conducting legislative business and a government attorney who cialist discusses interpreting during the during a time when restrictions on requested its assistance com- pandemic. travel and in-person gatherings mented that he was “blown away” PAGE 6 were rendering normal legislative by the quality of GLRD’s research practices impossible. This informa- GLRD, CONTINUED ON 7 NOTICES

DONATED TIME LIBRARY The following employees have satisfied eligibility requirements to receive leave GAZETTEOF CONGRESS donations from other staff members. Contact Lisa Davis at (202) 707-0033. loc.gov/staff/gazette

Shayerah Akhtar Laurie Harris APRIL SLAYTON Craig Andrews Sharron Jones Executive Editor Sharif Adenan Terri Harris-Wandix MARK HARTSELL Lynette Brown Donna Williams Publications Editor Eric Clark WENDI A. MALONEY Writer-Editor

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Deanna McCray-James, calendar Kia Campbell, Moving On COVID-19 UPDATE Lisa Davis, donated leave The Library’s Health Services Division (HSD) continues to monitor Library PROOFREADER staff members with symptoms, clinical diagnoses or positive test results for George Thuronyi COVID-19. On Aug. 7, HSD announced that eight employees reported symptoms DESIGN AND PRODUCTION associated with COVID-19 last week. No contact tracing was necessary for Ashley Jones these cases, because the individuals involved had either not been in Library MISSION OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS buildings or had adhered strictly to the transmission-control measures The Library’s central mission is to engage, implemented by the Library. Some employees reporting symptoms are not inspire and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of diagnosed to have COVID-19, but, out of caution, the Library is monitoring all knowledge and creativity. reports of symptoms. ABOUT THE GAZETTE HSD is communicating with all staff members who become ill. In cases in An official publication of the Library of Congress, which ill individuals were present in Library buildings, HSD is also notifying their The Gazette encourages Library managers and close work contacts and cleaning and disinfecting the areas affected. The staff to submit articles and photographs of general interest. Submissions will be edited to same process is being followed when contractors in Library buildings become convey the most necessary information. ill. Back issues of The Gazette in print are available More information on the Library’s pandemic response: https://go.usa.gov/ in the Communications Office, LM 143. Electronic xdtV5 (intranet) or https://go.usa.gov/xdtVQ (public-facing staff web page) archived issues and a color PDF file of the current issue are available online at loc.gov/staff/gazette.

GAZETTE WELCOMES LETTERS FROM STAFF Staff members are invited to use the Gazette for lively and thoughtful debate relevant to Library FUTUREBRIDGE SEEKING PARTICIPANTS issues. Letters must be signed by the author, whose place of work and telephone extension FutureBridge is a Library Collections and Services Group (LCSG) mentoring should be included so we can verify authorship. program that provides staff with opportunities to grow and evolve profession- If a letter calls for management response, an explanation of a policy or actions or clarification ally. It does so by pairing LCSG staff members — mentees and mentors — who of fact, we will ask for management response.— engage in structured interactions and relationship building. The program is Ed. accepting applications for mentees, mentors and coaches from Aug. 6 to 24. Library of Congress Gazette More information: https://go.usa.gov/xf7a7 Washington, DC 20540-1620 Editorial: Mark Hartsell, 7-9194, [email protected], Questions? Contact Luashawnna Malachi at [email protected]. or Wendi Maloney, 7-0979, [email protected] Design and production: Ashley Jones, 7-9193, [email protected] ISSN 1049-8184

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GAZETTE DEADLINES The deadline for editorial copy for the Aug. 28 Gazette is Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Email editorial copy and letters to the editor to [email protected] and [email protected].

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Boxed announcements should be submitted electronically (text files) by 9 a.m. Monday the week of publication to [email protected] and [email protected].

2 AUGUST 14, 2020 NEWS Annenberg Foundation Gives $1 Million Toward Visitor Experience The foundation is also donating photographic prints from its photography museum.

A $1 million gift by Wallis Annenberg and the Annenberg Foundation

will support the effort to reimagine Division Prints and Photographs the experience of visitors to the Library of Congress (https://go.usa. A self-portrait of photographer Will Wilson of the Navajo Nation was featured in a 2018 exhibition of Library photographs at the Annenberg Space for Photography. gov/xfwWT). The foundation is also donating 1,000 photographic prints will find new connections to the The Annenberg gift will build on the by about 250 contemporary pho- Library of Congress through the significant investments of Con- tographers to the Library from the incredible photography collections gress and private philanthropy in Annenberg Space for Photography and countless other treasures held the Library’s infrastructure. Ear- in Los Angeles, which announced here to document our nation’s his- lier in 2020, philanthropist David its closing in June. tory and creativity.” Rubenstein announced a lead gift “The Library of Congress is really To enhance the Library’s hold- of $10 million to support the visitor the people’s library — our oldest ings, the foundation is also giving experience plan. Design work is federal cultural institution and the Library photographic prints now underway for the project. arguably our most important,” said for long-term preservation from The visitor experience project has Wallis Annenberg, chair and CEO of 10 other exhibitions hosted at the continued support from Congress, the Annenberg Foundation. “That’s photography museum. with $20 million appropriated so why I’m so pleased to help the “I’m thrilled that we’re able to far as part of this public-private Library reimagine its visitor experi- partnership. ence — to become more open and make so many of the Annenberg inclusive and interactive.” Space for Photography’s images a While Congress has invested part of the Library’s extraordinary generously in the Library over its The Annenberg Foundation’s gift collection,” Annenberg said. “The history since 1800, private philan- follows a collaboration in 2018 photo space was founded with a thropy also has played an import- between the Library and the focus on the visitor experience ant role in the development of foundation to exhibit more than — on engaging our community the Library. Private-sector donors 400 photographs from the Library, with astonishing works of art. So have funded exhibitions and pro- spanning three centuries of pho- even as the photo space closes grams, including the creation of tography, at the Annenberg Space its doors, I feel like we’re open- the Library’s John W. Kluge Center for Photography. The Library is ing a new one with the Library of and the Packard Campus for planning a future photography Congress and letting even more Audio-Visual Conservation in Cul- exhibition based on the Annen- people experience these stunning peper, Virginia. ▪ berg-curated show, along with a images.” documentary film on the Library and its history produced by the Annenberg Space for Photography. “The nation’s library is honored HAVING TECHNICAL ISSUES? to have the strong support of It is important to report any technical issues you experience to the Office of Wallis Annenberg and the Annen- the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). The OCIO service desk is staffed around berg Foundation as we enhance the clock with technicians ready to help. Contact [email protected] or (202) 707-7 727. the experience for our visitors,” said Librarian of Congress Carla OCIO has developed fact sheets and frequently asked questions to help tele- Hayden. “We know that visitors workers accomplish their work. They are available on the Library’s public-fac- ing web page (https://go.usa.gov/xdtVQ) in the technology resources section.

THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GAZETTE 3 Returning Staff Experience a Quieter Workplace BY FRANCOIS A. DIFOLCO A CRS associate director shares his impressions of working on-site this summer.

Many of you may be wondering what is happening at the Library during phase one of reopening. I thought I would share some of my observations as someone who recently returned to the Madison Building to work in my office a few days a week — I serve as asso- ciate director for administrative operations in the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Like many staff members, I find I Congressional Research Service Research Congressional am more productive in an office than at a dining-room table, so I Francois DiFolco gets his temperature taken before entering the Madison Building. was glad to return to my usual rou- for an elevator. pandemic. But one of the pluses tine, albeit with some changes. In is that I don’t have to compete the Madison Building, there is none • Social-distancing elevator floor for a place to lock my bike at the of the usual busyness of a regu- signs that mark where to stand Library. lar workday, and the space feels while in an elevator — only two more like a typical prepandemic people are permitted in a car in Because so few staff are in the Saturday or Sunday. The building is the Madison Building at a time. Madison, hot water is not regu- larly pulled into the water pipes; surprisingly cold, because of the • Safety-protocol signs on the lack of activity, and the lights are walls. thus, cold showers are the new turned off unless a staff member norm, necessitating an occasional intentionally turns one on. I have to • Boxes of sanitation wipes and scream. (Luckily, there is no one admit that I enjoy the quiet in the bottles of hand sanitizer for staff around to hear me.) to keep at their workstations. building, although I do miss seeing Besides me, others in CRS have all of the CRS staff who are still For the past couple of years, I have returned to work at the Madison working from home. commuted to the Madison Building Building to complete tasks like mail Those who have returned to the by bicycle, and I am happy to say sorting, research materials acqui- Library may realize how much they that I can again enjoy my usual sitions and addition of materials relied upon Dunkin Donuts, Subway bike rides from Alexandria, Virginia, to CRS collections. This is a chal- or the cafeteria for food and drink; to the Hill and back. lenging time for everyone, and I all are currently closed. My commute now includes navi- am impressed by the flexibility and patience of CRS — and Library — They will also notice new protocols, gating a much more crowded bike staff. such as: trail in the mornings and after- noons, because many people are This article is adapted from a mes- Temperature-taking stations • using it recreationally during the sage DiFolco sent to CRS staff. ▪ where staff must certify that they have no COVID-19 symptoms. • Wristbands given out to designate a staff member has no tempera- NEW BLOG LAUNCHED ture or symptoms. The Library launched a new blog on July 29 titled Minerva’s Kaleidoscope: Resources for Kids and Families (https://go.usa.gov/xfV4h), bringing the total • Face coverings — all staff are number of Library blogs to 18. Minerva’s Kaleidoscope is designed for parents required to wear face coverings in and caregivers of children and teens ages 7 through 16 who are seeking to Library buildings. find kid-friendly activities based on the Library’s collections. Staff from the • Social-distancing floor signs that Center for Learning, Literacy and Engagement are managing it. mark where to stand while waiting Questions? Contact Naomi Coquillon at [email protected].

4 AUGUST 14, 2020 Reminder About Deadline Approaching to Complete Downloading Required Training

Software Sept. 11 is the deadline for all IT Security Awareness Library staff, contractors and IT Security would like to remind Access the course at https://bit. volunteers with access to Library ly/2YMEW5D Library users that downloading computers to complete two software from the internet is a required annual trainings, one on • Complete all modules under the violation of the Library’s IT security records management and the heading “Library Security Training policies (https://go.usa.gov/xf7FQ). other on IT security awareness. 2020.” As telework has expanded during Use Internet Explorer or Chrome • After each module, complete the the pandemic, there has been an as your browser to complete the quiz before proceeding to the next increase in malware, ransomware trainings. Do not use Firefox. Each module. and other malicious cyber activi- course should take about one hour For technical assistance, contact ties. Downloading even minor pro- to complete. [email protected] or (202) grams can expose your Library- Records Management 707-7727. For questions about issued computer and the Library the course’s content, contact network to attack. Even though Access the course at https://bit. [email protected]. IT Security has tools in place to ly/3eOLxC7 protect Library computers and the More information about IT secu- • Review the disclaimer and select network, it is important for users rity awareness: https://go.usa.gov/ “I agree” and “continue” to pro- xwt7G to follow IT security directives and ceed to the course. best practices on Library systems: These trainings can be accessed • Click the blue start button to from non-Library devices by • Work only with authorized Library launch the course. technical support for any issues employees (1) who log in using regarding your Library computer or The course is presented using multifactor authentication (Cen- mobile device (iPhones or iPads). audio narration. Be sure you have trify app, phone call or third-party headphones or computer speak- authenticator) or (2) who have • If you need new software ers to listen. Closed captioning activated the Fast ID Online (FIDO) on a Library-issued computer, is provided. An accessible ver- option on their PIV token. contact the OCIO service desk at sion (https://go.usa.gov/xwtG4) is [email protected] or (202) Multifactor authentication available for staff who use screen- resources are available on the 707-7727. Congressional Research reader assistive technology. Service (CRS) staff should contact Library’s coronavirus prevention the CRS help desk at helpdesk@ For questions about the course’s and response page (https://go.usa. crs.loc.gov or (202) 707-6447. content, contact [email protected]. gov/xwtAq) under the heading For technical assistance, contact “resources | technology.” FIDO • If you experience a technical [email protected]. instructions (https://go.usa.gov/ issue with your Library-issued xwtAB) are also available. computer or mobile device, con- More information about records tact the OCIO service desk. Do management: https://go.usa.gov/ not contact any software manu- xwCWf facturer for downloads or techni- cal issues or download anything directly from the internet unless instructed to by an authorized OIG WOULD LIKE TO KNOW Library IT technician. Report suspected illegal activities, waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement in Library of Congress administration and operations to the Office of the • Do not allow anyone from outside Inspector General (OIG). A link to all Library regulations is available on the staff the Library to install software on intranet at http://staff.loc.gov/sites/rules-and-regulations/. your Library computer or mobile device. To make a report, contact OIG via the online form at www.loc.gov/about/ office-of-the-inspector-general/contact-us/ or report anonymously by mail • Do not allow anyone from out- to 101 Independence Ave., S.E., LM 630, Washington, D.C., 20540-1060. side the Library to remotely control your Library computer or mobile device. Questions? Contact the Security Operations Center at infosec@loc. Your Employee Personal Page (EPP) is at gov. www.nfc.usda.gov/epps/

THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GAZETTE 5 QUESTION & ANSWER

What brought you to the Library, experience that some of us are and what do you do? old enough to remember seeing I came to the Library mostly on TV. A lot of that kind of need because I believe in its mission is now being filled through CART and wanted to help support that. captioning. CART is an acronym (That the Library was also within standing for a few different ver- walking distance from my house sions of basically the same thing at the time didn’t hurt, either.) — it’s real-time captioning provided I started as a staff interpreter through a writer listening in (usu- working with Deaf employees ally remotely), typing into a steno and patrons and then I began to machine like court reporters use handle contracts for interpreting and then displaying the English and captioning. (Note: “Deaf” with text on a website. The use of that a capital “d” refers to Deaf adults service has expanded tremen- who identify with the Deaf cultural dously in the last few months. community.) If you or anyone else at the Library I recently moved up to the position thinks you might need that service of program management special- or in-person interpreting, contact ist, which involves coordinating the Interpreting Services Program the day-to-day operation of the at [email protected]. We’re happy to go Interpreting Services Program. over options with you. That means that in addition to On a more selfish note, I miss interpreting for staff and patrons, having multiple screens for my Robert G. Waggoner as always, I manage our con- computer. I won’t take being able tracts, oversee scheduling and do to spread work out to see several consulting and training with staff things at once for granted again. Derrick Dodson regarding access issues for Deaf How are you adjusting to the new employees and patrons. Derrick Dodson is a program man- circumstances? agement specialist for the Inter- How has expanded telework Getting used to the new ways of preting Services Program of the affected interpreting services at connecting to do my work has Office of Equal Employment Oppor- the Library? been an adjustment, but I think tunity and Diversity Programs. Our new reality has seriously I’m over the hump on that learning Tell us a little about your affected how we do what we do curve. I’m sure I’ll have something background. in our program. Our needs haven’t unusual pop up now just to prove changed so much as how we are me wrong, but that keeps it inter- I grew up in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, meeting them. Some 90 percent esting. I’m also enjoying getting to a small town that was part of the of our work before was in-person see my husband and dog more Manhattan Project. Half the people interpreting for meetings, train- now that I’m working from home. there had a Ph.D. in something, ings and the like. That is closer to Still, I’m eager to get back in the and when I was growing up Oak 1 percent of our work now that office a bit, even if it’s not full time. Ridge had the most-used public Library staff are interacting mostly library, per capita, in the world. What do you enjoy doing outside virtually. work? I went to Duke University and For the foreseeable future, we then Gallaudet University for my I love to cook, read and spend probably won’t be having the reg- degrees in psychology and coun- time with my husband and dog. I’m ular staff meetings with 20 people seling. I started interpreting after looking forward to maybe getting (in a conference room built for 15) graduating from Gallaudet and to eat something soon that I didn’t to talk about work issues. Even as have been doing that profession- make myself, though. we start to phase back into work- ally ever since. ing from our offices, I believe we What is something your co-work- I had originally thought I’d be a will continue to see many of our ers may not know about you? mental health counselor, but I meetings take place through some A recent insurance commercial realized I couldn’t maintain the dis- videoconferencing platform. reminded me that while I was tance needed. I was working with That’s a challenge for an inter- growing up, I clogged compet- kids, and I’d spend most nights preter and a Deaf client. Our itively. I also played the sousa- worrying about them. It wasn’t other staff interpreter, Katherine phone in marching band. ▪ sustainable. Perchik, and I are still interpret- I ended up doing some interpreting ing directly with clients. But most during my internship, and I realized platforms aren’t designed to that was a better match. give the “interpreter in a bubble”

6 AUGUST 14, 2020 NEWS

GLRD, CONTINUED FROM 1 new reports published, presen- The Law Library has also featured, products, which he said were tations given and webinars con- as part of its recently launched “thoughtful, thorough [and] well ducted — GLRD’s productivity has Foreign and Comparative Law written in a short amount of time increased. Webinar Series (https://go.usa.gov/ under difficult circumstances,” “Continuity of Legislative Activi- xfVZm), programs related to the given COVID-19 related workplace ties During Emergency Situations” pandemic, including: adjustments. (https://go.usa.gov/xfESM), GLRD’s • “Between Cooperation and Con- The Law Library of Congress is report on the work of national flict: Islamic Religious Authority known for housing the largest legislatures during the pandemic, and Governmental Responses to collection of legal literature in the catalogs the means by which par- COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia, Egypt world. Less well known is that it liamentary bodies worldwide were and Pakistan.” managing this spring to continue also provides public access to • “Fighting Health Emergencies: legal information from around the operations through use of video- Foreign and International Legisla- globe and serves as the primary conferencing, special voting pro- tive Frameworks.” expert resource for Congress on cedures to reduce travel and other • “Avoiding the New Wave: foreign, comparative and interna- measures. Response to the Pandemic in tional law. A second multinational study, Japan and South Korea.” GLRD, the research and reference “Virtual Civil Trials” (https://go.usa. • “Regulating the Use of Technology arm of the Law Library, includes gov/xfVDM), focuses on courts. to Combat COVID-19.” both law librarians in its Public Ser- GLRD surveyed 25 jurisdictions vices Division as well as a team of on whether measures had been Congressional staff, government multilingual foreign law specialists adopted to facilitate the use of librarians and academics from trained in the legal systems of for- virtual technologies such as vid- around the world have attended eign countries. They are respon- eoconferencing in civil hearings, these webinars in which foreign sible for monitoring legal develop- mediations and trials. law specialists have experimented ments in the jurisdictions assigned Yet another multinational report with presenting varied datasets to them. relates to a request by Congress. using data analytics tools. Pre- senters have earned praise for In this respect, the Law Library “Regulating Electronic Means to the way they have compared serves a role similar to that of the Fight the Spread of COVID-19” different countries and regions, Congressional Research Service (https://go.usa.gov/xfVDS) reviews showed how individual countries (CRS). However, unlike CRS, the how 23 jurisdictions were using are approaching COVID-19 and Law Library not only provides and regulating contact-tracing and discussed how privacy and public research services to Congress, similar apps to combat the virus, health can be balanced. but it also serves other priority with a focus on the privacy and patrons, including the Supreme data protection implications of Another project undertaken during Court, the broader judiciary and their use. maximum telework has involved federal agencies. And, like other GLRD has also covered new devel- a collaboration with the Law Library reading rooms, the Law opments relating to the pandemic Library’s Digital Products Division to Library’s provides reference ser- in the Law Library’s legal news archive and digitize historical Law vices to public researchers, both service, the Global Legal Monitor Library reports to make them more virtually and in person. (https://go.usa.gov/xfVZD), and its accessible to researchers. These reports will be of interest to legal The Law Library has served as blog, In Custodia Legis (https:// scholars and researchers on legal an authority on comparative and go.usa.gov/xfVZK). In addition, and governmental history. international law research since the Public Services Division pre- Law Librarian of Congress John T. pared a Coronavirus Resource “While the pandemic has chal- Vance formalized that mission in Guide (https://go.usa.gov/xfVZR), a lenged the Law Library’s traditional 1942. But this year’s COVID-19 pan- portal to legislative- and execu- methods of operation, its entire demic has provided a new context tive-branch responses to the pan- staff — including GLRD — has risen and impetus for congressional demic, that also includes publicly to the challenge,” said Law Librar- interest in the experiences of other available reports on domestic law ian of Congress Jane Sánchez. ▪ countries in responding to public (https://go.usa.gov/xfVZn) by CRS. health issues and related aspects of policy and regulation. Although most GLRD personnel have teleworked since March, the BUILDING ACCESS directorate has maintained its The C Street West doors are closed at the request of the U.S. Capitol Police to usual level of productivity; indeed, support its workforce during the pandemic. Staff should enter and exit Library by many measures — such as the buildings through the Independence Avenue doors or the Madison Building number of requests answered, garage.

THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GAZETTE 7