Volume 31, No. 15 LIBRARY April 17, 2020 GAZETTEOF CONGRESS A weekly publication for staff Masks Now Required in Library Buildings The measure aims to reduce risk of transmitting COVID-19 as operations continue.

As the Library settles into what Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden described in her April 9 video address to staff as the “new normal,” the Pandemic Task Force announced new steps last week to mitigate the spread of COVID- 19 coronavirus among staff and Shawn Miller Library contractors. David Vetack (from left), Gerald Tolk and Iulian Langa of the IT Security Division col- As of April 7, staff authorized to laborate in early March on a routine analysis of a security incident in the Library’s come to the Library must wear Security Operations Center. masks while they are inside the Library buildings. Staff who do not arrive with a mask can pick one IT Security Keeps Library Staff up when they enter the Library at security checkpoints. The mask and Treasures Secure should be used for the remainder of the work week. Improved tools and focus ensure the Library can In addition, the Library further achieve its mission without interference. limited the number of staff who can come to Library buildings BY SAHAR KAZMI officer. “That’s one of the reasons from April 9 to 20, coinciding with we’ve taken significant steps over an anticipated peak in COVID-19 The Library of Congress expe- the last few years to fortify our infections in the Washington, D.C., riences more than 180,000 network and modernize our region. The decision was made attempted cyberattacks a year. technology.” in consultation with the Library’s That is more than 15,000 attacks IT centralization, transformation chief medical officer, Sandra a month, or an average of one of the Library’s data centers and Charles. every three minutes, every day. And the rate has only increased updates to legacy systems are Until April 20, the Library will not as the Library responds to the among the accomplishments she issue new laptop computers from COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic — cites. “We have put the tools and the service desk of the Office of hackers are seeking to lure novice expertise in place to successfully the Chief Information Officer, and teleworkers with new scams and identify and prevent even the most staff are asked not to come to cyberattacks. sophisticated attacks,” Conklin any Library buildings to retrieve said. work-related materials, even “Because we directly serve Con- Unlike federal agencies that can if they had previously secured gress and maintain so much valu- block staff and other users from approval from their supervisors to able information, the Library has accessing large swaths of the do so. always been a target for hackers and other bad actors,” said Judith internet and even prohibit the use Conklin, deputy chief information NEW MEASURES, CONTINUED ON 7 IT SECURITY, CONTINUED ON 6 DONATED TIME LIBRARY The following employees have satisfied eligibility requirements to receive GAZETTEOF CONGRESS leave donations from other staff members. Contact Lisa Davis at 7-0033. loc.gov/staff/gazette

Sharif Adenan Terri Harris-Wandix APRIL SLAYTON Emelia Awuku Tyanne Rodgers Executive Editor Melinda Briscoe Adam Rosenberg MARK HARTSELL Lynette Brown Dwayne Wilder Publications Editor Sharron Jones Donna Williams WENDI A. MALONEY Writer-Editor

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Deanna McCray-James, calendar Kia Campbell, Moving On IT SECURITY BEST PRACTICES Lisa Davis, donated leave PROOFREADER The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) has advised staff to be George Thuronyi aware that hackers are taking advantage of the increased number of people DESIGN AND PRODUCTION working remotely as a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic to lure Ashley Jones them with new scams and cyberattacks, many disguised as important infor- mation or warnings about COVID-19. While there are many variations of these MISSION OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS scams, all are designed to trick users into clicking on links or attachments, The Library’s central mission is to engage, inspire and inform Congress and the American which attempt to install various malware on a user’s computer or into their people with a universal and enduring source of network. knowledge and creativity.

The Library has strong IT security tools in place to protect against these types ABOUT THE GAZETTE of cyberattacks, including spam blockers, virus detectors and more. However, An official publication of the Library of Congress, given the range of new attacks being identified, OCIO is providing the following The Gazette encourages Library managers and staff to submit articles and photographs of guidelines to lower the risk of staff members falling victim to attacks: general interest. Submissions will be edited to convey the most necessary information. 1. Be suspicious of any emails related to COVID-19, with the exception of offi- cial Library announcements. Back issues of The Gazette in print are available in the Communications Office, LM 143. Electronic 2. Be wary of unsolicited emails, even if they appear to come from someone archived issues and a color PDF file of the current you know. issue are available online at loc.gov/staff/gazette. 3. Do not click on an attachment or link in any suspicious email. GAZETTE WELCOMES LETTERS FROM STAFF Staff members are invited to use the Gazette for 4. Be especially careful when accessing personal email from Library systems lively and thoughtful debate relevant to Library or iPhones. Your personal accounts may be targeted, too. issues. Letters must be signed by the author, whose place of work and telephone extension 5. Forward any suspicious email as an attachment to [email protected]. should be included so we can verify authorship. If a letter calls for management response, an (To forward as an attachment, open a new email and drag the suspicious explanation of a policy or actions or clarification email into the body of the new email. Title the new email “suspicious email,” of fact, we will ask for management response.— Ed. and send it to [email protected].) Library of Congress Gazette 6. If you suspect that your Library system is infected with malware, contact Washington, DC 20540-1620 the OCIO service desk at (202) 707-7727 or [email protected] immedi- Editorial: Mark Hartsell, 7-9194, [email protected], ately. or Wendi Maloney, 7-0979, [email protected] Design and production: Ashley Jones, 7-9193, [email protected] ISSN 1049-8184 PANDEMIC UPDATES NOW AVAILABLE BY PHONE, PERSONAL Printed by the Printing Management Section EMAIL GAZETTE DEADLINES Starting April 13, staff members who do not have internet access can hear a The deadline for editorial copy for the May 1 recording of the daily all-staff communication about Library operations during Gazette is Wednesday, April 22. the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic by calling (202) 707-0972 and pressing Email editorial copy and letters to the editor to 1 for pandemic information. The phone line will be updated every weekday [email protected] and [email protected]. afternoon as soon as the daily all-staff message is ready. Archives of the calls To promote events through the Library’s online will not be available, so staff should plan to call each day to hear updates. calendar (www.loc.gov/loc/events) and the Please share this information with any staff members you know who do not Gazette Calendar, email event and contact information to [email protected] by 9 a.m. have internet access so they can receive regular updates during this time. Monday of the week of publication.

In addition, a form was distributed for completion by staff who have internet Boxed announcements should be submitted access at home but who do not have access to their Library email accounts, electronically (text files) by 9 a.m. Monday the so they can receive the daily all-staff emails. The form was created and week of publication to [email protected] and [email protected]. is managed by the Library, and the Library will use these personal email addresses only to share the daily updates related to the pandemic. Staff who do not have access to their Library email accounts are encouraged to contact Read the Gazette in color their supervisors to receive a link to the form. at loc.gov/staff/gazette

2 APRIL 17, 2020 NEWS Poets Laureate Explore Poetry of Home in New Video Series

U.S. poet laureate Joy Harjo launched the series last Friday.

BY ANNE HOLMES

“The very early years of my grow- ing up were the best because my parents were there, and we had a kitchen table,” said poet laureate Joy Harjo when she opened the first installment of “The Poetry of Home,” a new video series from the Library of Congress and the Washington Post. From her studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Harjo spoke about her poem “Perhaps the World Ends Here” — which begins with the line, “The world begins at a kitchen table” — and its connec- tion to the subject of home.

Launched on April 10 to mark Post Courtesy Washington National Poetry Month (https:// Joy Harjo, pictured on a laptop of a Washington Post producer, appears in the first wapo.st/34Cfkdh), “The Poetry video in the “Poetry of Home” series. of Home” will feature four U.S. poets laureate sharing poems and necting with family and friends reading “Perhaps the World Ends reflecting on home each Friday virtually. Here,” the lines of the poem ani- throughout April, ending on May 1. mated on screen with the poet’s Videos will be archived online as a Relating the poem to her happiest childhood memories of the kitchen voice as accompaniment. And it’s virtual companion to the National quite a poem to begin the series: It Book Festival Presents series and table as a communal space, Harjo said, “Everything revolved, and still starts at a kitchen table, and con- promoted on the Library’s newly cludes there, too, with these lines: launched “Engage!” (www.loc.gov/ does, around the kitchen. That’s engage) site. where there’s always this connec- This table has been a house in the tion between food and stories.” rain, an umbrella in the sun. The series will continue with Speaking of the current COVID-19 Robert Pinsky on April 17, Nata- Wars have begun and ended at coronavirus pandemic, she con- this table. It is a place to hide in sha Trethewey on April 24 and tinued, “Right now, all of us are Juan Felipe Herrera on May 1. In a the shadow of terror. A place to sequestered — I hope not by fear, celebrate the terrible victory. moment when many Americans but by protection … in our homes are restricted to their homes, around the kitchen table.” We have given birth on this table, this series offers a reminder that and have prepared our parents for poetry has the power to help us She talked of the present moment burial here. connect and heal during times of being “a changing point in society” At this table we sing with joy, with crisis. and asked, “Are we happy with our home being divided?” Her answer: sorrow. We pray of suffering and Harjo’s video, just like the first line Of course not. Instead, we should remorse. We give thanks. of “Perhaps the World Ends Here,” be “sitting around the kitchen Perhaps the world will end at the begins at a kitchen table, too: As table.” Even with our differences, kitchen table, while we are laugh- Harjo speaks, the camera pans to Harjo assured us that “what joins ing and crying, eating of the last show a laptop on a kitchen table us together is poetry, or a good sweet bite. ▪ with the poet on screen, empha- story, or good food.” sizing how we’ve pivoted to con- Harjo’s short video ends with her

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THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GAZETTE 3 Virtual Tech Forum Addresses Telework More than 500 staff from across can’t access the same features something OCIO service desk tech- the Library joined the Office of the my colleagues have. Can you fix nicians can help with. Chief Information Officer (OCIO) on that? Are we allowed to use Zoom for April 7 for a virtual tech forum. Bud Connecting to the Library network video meetings? Barton, the Library’s chief infor- on a personal computer is not the Library staff are allowed to attend mation officer; Judith Conklin, the same as connecting with a Library deputy chief information officer; a Zoom session via a web browser computer. While the Library’s VPN if they are invited by external part- and OCIO directors offered an is used for both types of connec- overview of the Library’s technical ners. However, serious security tions, there are security controls concerns have been raised about response to the COVID-19 coro- in place that limit what can be navirus pandemic and described the Zoom platform, and it should done when using a non-Library not be loaded onto a Library com- what OCIO is doing to support the device. Those controls are critical Library’s IT infrastructure through puter or used for Library-hosted for protecting the Library network events. this period of enhanced telework. from malware and other poten- The slides presented at the forum tially damaging cyberattacks. Note If you have questions or concerns and an audio recording are avail- also that a range of factors, like about Library technology and able on the OCIO intranet page your computer’s operating system, OCIO’s response to the pandemic, (https://go.usa.gov/xvKqx). Here is software, virus-protection settings contact [email protected]. If you a summary of some of the ques- and so on, can affect your expe- are experiencing a technical issue, tions asked and answered. rience. Troubleshooting the many contact the OCIO service desk at I’m having trouble connecting to possible variables involved with [email protected] or (202) the Library network by VPN. Can personal computers is not always 707-7 727. ▪ anything be done to make that better? The Library network is hosting connections for 3,000 to 4,000 users every day now. To help smooth that workload, the avail- SPRING HAS ARRIVED able bandwidth for virtual private network (VPN) connections has been doubled, and a tiger team of IT experts has been activated to support staff working remotely. However, VPN connections, while secure, are very susceptible to even unnoticeable flickers in internet traffic, which could be anywhere along the connection between your computer and the Library — your home Wi-Fi, the service-provider lines in your neighborhood or the internet con- nections going into Library data centers. A number of variables, many of which are out of the Library’s control, could be affect- ing your ability to connect over VPN. We ask that you contact the OCIO service desk (ocioservicedesk@ loc.gov or 202-707-0979) to report issues you are experiencing so OCIO can better determine the root cause of these issues.

I connect to the Library network Shawn Miller on my personal computer and A view of the Madison Building through early-blooming foliage.

4 APRIL 17, 2020 QUESTION & ANSWER

have always been drawn to edu- crowdsourcing project. I’ve been cation, and I admire Wilkins’ role working on the Alan Lomax and in education equality, specifically Mary Church Terrell campaigns. in relation to the Civil Rights Act of What have you gained from the 1964. internship — despite the unex- What were you assigned to do? pected circumstances? I was responsible for organizing, I have learned that you can still describing and facilitating access make an experience worthwhile to the addition to Wilkins’ papers. I even if the world is on lockdown learned about all stages of archi- and that having a support system val processing and how to care can really brighten your day. My for formats such as letters, pho- mentor, Pang Xiong, and I chat tographs, newspaper clippings, often, and we even have virtual speeches and writings. I also had morning coffee breaks with other the opportunity to learn more Library employees, which really about the Library's resources, put me in a great mood. Through including by attending events the podcasts and my discussions around the Library. One of my with archivists, I have learned how favorites was “Around the World: archives intersect with many dif- Geography and Maps.” I created ferent fields. my own islands and volcanoes How will the internship inform using the augmented reality sand- your career choice? box provided. Another interesting Savannah Galloway Savannah part of my internship was meeting There are so many facets of his- people from different divisions tory that are glossed over or not throughout the Library. recognized at all. I want to help Zephaniah make these stories known to the How has the COVID-19 pandemic world as a museum curator in the Galloway affected your internship? future. In doing so, I will have to Like other college students, I had work with lots of primary sources. Tell us a little about your only a few short days to pack In a perfect world, manuscript col- background. some necessities before return- lections with letters, photographs, I’m from Cleveland, and I am a ing home. My classes are all online speeches, writings and other junior at Howard University this now, and I am working remotely formats would be neatly orga- year. I’m double majoring in polit- from Cleveland to complete my nized, properly housed and ready ical science and Africana studies internship. Although I cannot phys- for immediate use by researchers. and minoring in Arabic. This spring, ically be at the Library to finish That is rarely the case — I learned I am interning in the Manuscript processing Wilkins’ papers, I am during my time in the Manuscript Division through the Archives, still learning about the archival Division that a collection once History and Heritage Advanced profession. I’ve read articles about arrived in trash cans! An archivist's Internship program, a joint effort archival practices and standards, job involves taking unorganized by Howard University and the had conversations with archivists material and making it useable for Library to make collections in Afri- throughout the Library and listened researchers. Having the knowledge can American history and culture to podcasts. My personal favorites of how to take a lot of unorganized widely available. are “An Archivist’s Tale” and “The information and making it cohesive Kitchen Sisters.” I also continue to and understandable is a skill that What inspired you to intern at the research Wilkins' life and accom- will help me personally and Library? plishments. I really like that I can professionally. ▪ The Library has endless resources, also directly impact the Library by and I wanted to intern in a place participating in the By the People where I could constantly engage in learning. My project involves processing materials being added to the papers of former NAACP HAVING TECHNICAL ISSUES? executive director Roy Wilkins. It is important to report any technical issues you experience to the Office of Last semester, I studied abroad in the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). The OCIO service desk is staffed around Morocco and taught English. The the clock with technicians ready to help. Contact [email protected] or year before that, I helped young (202) 707-7 727. children in the District of Columbia OCIO has developed fact sheets and frequently asked questions to help tele- Public Schools learn how to read. I 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 5 NEWS

IT SECURITY, CONTINUED FROM 1 Of course, a strong front door applications and integrating IT is effective only if there are no security in our software develop- of mobile devices and commonly vulnerable back doors that can ment lifecycle to ensuring that our used software as part of their IT be exploited. The Library main- hosting environments and IT infra- security programs, the Library’s tains over 200 IT systems, all of structure are built around the best mission dictates otherwise. which present potential vulnera- IT security tools, to implementing “For the Library to meet its mis- bilities that must be identified and multifactor authentication and sion to expand access and engage addressed. Prior to IT centraliza- strengthened network controls, more people than ever, we need tion, the Library relied on service IT security is now at the heart of our IT systems to be both safe units to maintain IT system everything we do in OCIO.” and open,” said Sean Lang, the security. Looking ahead, OCIO is working to Library’s chief information security “Now I’m able not only to spot implement even stronger IT secu- officer. “That makes IT security at systemwide vulnerabilities more rity tools to help safeguard the the Library a complex task.” easily, I also have the authority to Library while also making access Recognizing that complexity, the direct OCIO resources to quickly as seamless as possible for staff Library moved all IT security activ- tackle those issues,” Conklin said. and users. The team is imple- ities into the Office of the Chief She has been leading a compre- menting a new web-filtering tool Information Officer (OCIO) as one hensive effort to strengthen IT — Palo Alto — that leverages arti- of the first steps in centralizing IT security controls and work through ficial intelligence to manage web at the agency, and it appointed technical debt — the backlog of access; expanding ZeroTrust, a one authorizing official, the deputy changes needed to update or network framework to limit access chief information officer, to be in replace legacy systems and miti- to high-value data to authorized charge of managing risk. gate vulnerabilities. individuals; and working toward continuous monitoring of all Library That new model ensures that a In the past two years, the IT secu- applications, the highest state of IT trained official has an agencywide rity group has closed more than security control. view of cybersecurity. It also brings 1,600 security vulnerabilities in together nearly two dozen full-time Library systems, some dating Earlier this year, industry leaders staff members and contractors back more than 15 years, and recognized the Library’s efforts with extensive backgrounds in allowed the Library to achieve 100 to improve IT security when they information systems security, fed- percent authority to operate for named Conklin one of Federal eral IT security-compliance stan- its applications for the first time Computer Week’s Federal 100. dards and IT security operations ever. Authority to operate con- The Fed 100 is an annual award to analyze and respond to the full firms that an application has been that honors the leaders from the scope of threats facing the Library. fully reviewed, that any IT security federal IT community who had the greatest impact over the last year. Following National Institute of Stan- weaknesses have been identified dards and Technology (NIST) guid- and that controls have been put in “Thanks to Judith’s direction and ance, the IT security team works to place to manage them. the perseverance of the entire fortify existing IT systems against “This big improvement in the team, IT security at the Library of data damage, disruption and Library’s IT security posture has Congress is now the strongest it theft. It also continuously mon- required a concerted effort,” has ever been,” said Bud Barton, itors the Library’s networks and Conklin said. “From retiring legacy OCIO’s chief. ▪ technology, providing a defense against attacks. With an increased number of staff working remotely during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, this process ensures Library networks remain protected against malicious links and attach- ments aimed at exploiting the desire for new information about the pandemic. The team has implemented an especially robust front-line defense: The Library’s firewalls block more than 100,000 poten- tially dangerous attempts a minute to access the network, and email filters stop an average of 200 sus- pect messages an hour.

6 APRIL 17, 2020 NEW MEASURES, CONTINUED FROM 1 once medical professionals have primary customers, are able to approved their reopening — to count on the Library as always.” Also last week, the Human Capital wash any items (straws, uten- The Congressional Research Directorate published a frequent- sils, cups) they will place in their Service and the Law Library have ly-asked-questions document mouths and wash or dry clean been integral to the effort to sup- (https://go.usa.gov/xvBtH) about any clothes in their workstations port Congress over the past few expanded telework that covers before wearing them again. weeks, she said, making sure staff topics such as work schedules, One new case of COVID-19 among are available to answer questions leave and WebTA codes, and the Library staff was reported to HSD and provide information. Safety Services Division issued in the past week. One of the cases ergonomic tips (https://go.usa.gov/ Hayden also cited two New York identified in the April 13 Gazette xvBth) for teleworking. Times articles that had been pub- affected a contractor, not an lished in the past week, one about The Health Services Division (HSD) employee. So, the total number the Library’s web archiving pro- continues to identify spaces that of staff cases remains at 22. Of gram, the other about Library film must be disinfected when a staff those, 13 have recovered, and collections available online. member or contractor is diag- nine still have symptoms or are in nosed with COVID-19, gathering quarantine. The stories, she said, show that information from diagnosed indi- Americans “are able to connect to Despite these many challenges, viduals about where they worked the Library, count on the Library the work of the Library continues, and when they were last in Library and use the Library, even during Hayden said. The communications buildings. An Architect of the this difficult time. and web services staff have been Capitol contractor then conducts “working tirelessly to keep all of us “So, thank you, thank you, thank specialized cleaning. on track and informed,” she said, you for what you are doing, and The cleaning team advises staff and the Library is making sure that please, please take care of your- returning to disinfected spaces — Congress, the Library’s “first and selves,” she concluded. ▪ OBITUARY gion, sexual orientation: None of baking her signature chocolate these were ever barriers to friend- chip cookies; and reading. Before ship for her. She became lifelong losing her sight, there was a spe- friends with other members of the cial place next to her chair where Library family and maintained her she would stack the hardbacks relationships with colleagues long she borrowed from the D.C. Public past leaving a service unit or retir- Library. After her vision loss, NLS ing, which she did in 2018. became a lifeline, and Carol would A native of Massachusetts, Carol often be found listening to talking moved to Washington, D.C., after books while playing solitaire in her college to work for the govern- breakfast room. ment. In the 1970s, she planted What Carol was most known for roots on Capitol Hill, where she was the love she held for her raised her family and became an family, whom she put ahead of integral part of the community. She herself. Friends and colleagues was homesick for New England probably knew more about the Carol Corrigan only during the heat of triple-digit goings-on of her son, Chris, than D.C. summers. they knew about her. Carol Corrigan, whose Library career spanned more than 30 As an avid baseball fan, Carol got Carol is survived by her husband, years, died March 21. She worked to see the team of her youth — the John; son Chris (who proves the for the Federal Research Division, Red Sox — win the World Series apple never falls far from the tree the National Library Service for in 2004. The following year, the — he’s an NLS reference librarian); the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) Nationals came to her adopted daughter-in-law, Michelle; and and the Copyright Office. She was hometown and won a larger place stepdaughter, Melissa. a dedicated employee who over- in her heart. Fate smiled on her Services in her memory will be came losing most of her eyesight last fall when the Nats took the held at a future date. For details, to continue her impeccable ser- crown. interested staff can contact Chris vice to the institution. Besides baseball, Carol was Corrigan at [email protected]. ▪ Carol was well liked by everyone known for loving rituals, traditions she met. Age, GS level, race, reli- and dogs; cooking comfort food;

THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GAZETTE 7