LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Volume 14, No. 37 A Weekly Newspaper for the Library Staff October 24, 2003

Peace Corps Director CFC Message: ‘If You’ve Got It, Give It’ Says Participation Is Key to Success By GAIL FINEBERG f ever there were a year for federal workers to give to the Combined By AUDREY FISCHER IFederal Campaign (CFC), this is it, with the nation’s unemployment rate If the validation of a great idea is its hovering at more than 6 percent and sustainability and continuity, then the 42 million Americans without medical Peace Corps is truly a great idea. insurance. So said Gaddi H. Vasquez, the 16th “If you’ve got it, you should share it.” director of the U.S. Peace Corps and the That was the core of Derek McGinty’s first Hispanic American to hold the office message at the 2003 CFC kickoff on Oct. in its 42-year history. Vasquez delivered 15 in the Mumford Room. He was the the closing keynote address on Oct. 10 keynote speaker for the kickoff of the for the Library’s 2003 Hispanic Heritage campaign. Month celebration. The campaign theme this year is “You “The Peace Corps puts a face on Have the Power to Help.” America,” said Vasquez. But it is not The anchor of ABC’s evening show always the face that people in its host “USA Tonight” and former talk show Michaela McNichol countries expect to see. CFC kickoff opens on Oct. 15 with presen- host of “The Derek McGinty Show” on tation of the colors and patriotic song. “You don’t look like an American,” WAMU in Washington, D.C., McGinty Vasquez said, quoting one such acquain- told an anecdote about a friend, a single tance, referring to his brown skin. But as mother, to illustrate the importance of McGinty spoke after the colors a member of the largest and fastest grow- giving. With a 3-month-old baby to care were posted and retired; Copyright ing ethnic minority in America, Vasquez for and support, and an absentee father Officer staffer Carolann Guglielm sang is truly representative of America. who made no child-support payments, a patriotic hymn; Director for Catalog- Vasquez discussed his “journey” from this single mom was having trouble ing Beacher Wiggins offered welcoming Texas—as the son of migrant farm work- making ends meet, even though she remarks; Deputy Librarian Donald L. ers of Mexican descent—to Washington. was a lawyer. Scott opened the program; and Scott He credited his family and teachers for “I couldn’t send her a check every Mexic of the national CFC administra- his success. week, so I turned to a catalog of sharing tive agency made the point that Global Vasquez said that today’s parents— like this one,” he told the LC staff audi- Impact, not United Way, is running this himself included—“use psychology, ence. In it, he found an organization year’s campaign. mediation, self-help books, and even whose mission was to force deadbeat Also on the program was Sara Duke, incentive packages to motivate their dads to pay child support, and he Prints and Photographs Division, who children.” In contrast, he recalled the found a support group of single moms described the help that CFC agencies incentive of a parent coming at him with that could help his friend find and make had provided her and her child, who a tree branch. “I didn’t consider myself use of available community resources. was born with special needs. abused, but rather ‘highly motivated,’” He supported these agencies, which Robert Handloff explained the in- he joked. helped his friend. honor-of program, which encourages “If you work hard, and chase your “That’s what it’s all about,” donating staff to made donations to CFC in honor dreams, you can achieve,” said Vasquez, to CFC agencies that make a difference in of or in memory of someone special. recalling how he was raised. “My mother their communities, he said, “and getting After the rally and training throughout PEACE CORPS, Continues on page 11 the most bang for your buck.” CFC, Continues on page 3 2 THE GAZETTE OCTOBER 24, 2003 OCTOBER 24, 2003 THE GAZETTE 3

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CFC: A Believer Answers Skeptics The Gazette A weekly newspaper for the Library of Congress staff By ROBERT HANDLOFF GAIL FINEBERG Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) fund-raisers are hearing: “Because Editor of the problems with United Way, I’m skipping the CFC this year.” MICHAELA McNICHOL Visual Information Specialist Wait! Not so fast! The local United Way organization no longer has anything to Contributing Editors: Deborah Durham-Vichr, Calendar; and do with running the CFC in the National Capital Area. Beginning with this campaign, Carla V. Bussey, Moving On and Length of Service. Global Impact is administering the local federal workers’ philanthropic fund drive. Proofreaders: Sally Craig and Suzy Platt This nonprofit agency, which has run the CFC for federal workers overseas for years, has a reputation for effectiveness and integrity, verifiable by “clean” annual audits PETER BRAESTRUP JAMES W. McCLUNG performed by the Office of Personnel Management. Founder Founding Publisher What is the CFC? (1990 – 1997) (1990 – 1994) The CFC is an activity of the entire federal government to collect money for local charities and nonprofit organizations wherever there are federal workers. In every The Gazette encourages LC staff to submit articles or photographs of general interest. Submissions will be edited to convey the most local area, from Hawaii to Washington, D.C., a Local Federal Coordinating Commit- necessary information. tee (LFCC) consisting of federal workers selects a local nonprofit agency to run the Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Wednesday, one week prior to publication date. Please submit text in digital form and if pos- campaign. The administrative agency charges an administrative fee to pay for its silble include hard copy with your submission. costs of staff, printing a catalog listing charities and other materials, and other over- An official publication of the Library of Congress, The Gazette is head expenses, such as rent and utilities. In Washington, the administrative agency largely staffed by Library employees who have volunteered for part- time details. Persons interested in serving a detail as a page editor, is Global Impact, which retains about 8 percent to pay its overhead costs. writer, proofreader, photographer, reporter, or artist may submit applications to the editor, LM 105, mail code 1620. Those persons Why pay the administrative fee? interested in contributing to The Gazette as part of a Library-wide network should first check with their supervisors. Back issues ofThe Prospective donors say they want their entire donation to go their designated Gazette are available in the newspaper office, LM 105. charities. Understandable. But it costs a charity money to raise money—in paid staff to do the fund-raising; direct mail, telemarketing, or other advertising costs; James Madison Memorial Building, LM 105 printing and postage. If a charity had to raise as much money on its own as the CFC Library of Congress Washington, DC 20540-1620 can provide, its fund-raising cost would exceed the 8 percent fee charged by Global Editor 707-9194, [email protected] Impact. Local charities get 92 cents of every CFC dollar contributed, which is a pretty Calendar Editor 707-1639, [email protected] Production 707-0970, [email protected] good bang for the donator’s buck. Because they come out ahead financially, charities ISSN 1049-8184 prefer the CFC to private fund-raising. Why not give directly to my favorite charity? May be a good idea. But writing a big check for charity any time is not easy, and at holiday time it is even harder. Remembering that charity later in the year is not Printed on paper that contains recycled paper by the Printing Management Section, Office Systems Services practical; the direct-mail requests for charitable donations often take lower priority than paying the monthly mortgage or rent and bills for utilities, water, fuel, food, insurance, doctors, and dentists. However, CFC and the Library make gift-giving easy Gazette Welcomes Letters from Staff The staff is invited to use the Forum pages for lively and and painless, through regular payroll deductions. Charities prefer payroll deductions thoughtful debate relevant to Library issues. However, just as other newspaper editors exercise discretion over which because they get regular income they can count on all year long, they can collect letters to publish and how to edit them, so do we. In decid- more over the long haul, and they know from experience that good intentions never ing whether or how much to publish, we consider content (including misstatements of fact, libel, innuendo, ridicule of pay as well or as regularly as payroll deductions. They know from experience that individuals or the institution, personal attacks, and redun- dancy) and length (the limit is 600 words). those who give a little every payday are more generous than those who donate a Letters must be signed by the author, whose place of work lump sum. and telephone extension should be included so we can verify authorship. Letter writers should understand that Another reason charities want federal workers to participate in CFC is that, if all when they sign their letters and release them to us for publication they are relinquishing privacy. If a letter calls their supporters gave cash or checks directly, there would be no need for a centralized for management response, for example, an explanation of a policy or actions or clarification of fact, we will ask for fund-raising organization like CFC. Big nonprofits might be able to afford highly paid management response.—Ed. PR professionals to raise funds, but many smaller charities would simply disappear. CFC lives up to its mission of supporting and promoting philanthropy through a program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all fed- Gazette at a glance . . . eral employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all members of our Forum 3 community. Nothing less could be asked, and nothing more can be given. ❑ Fiction, Mysteries, and Storytelling 4 OIG Hot Lines The Caregiving Discussion Group LCPA Language Tables 11 Reports of offenses against the Library may be will meet from noon to 1 p.m. in LM 623 on made in confidence to the Office of the Inspector General, 7-6306, by fax at 7-6032, or by sending an the following Wednesdays this fall: Calendar 12 e-mail to OIG Hotline, [email protected]. Nov. 5, Nov. 19, Dec. 10 www.loc.gov/staff/gazette 2 THE GAZETTE OCTOBER 24, 2003 OCTOBER 24, 2003 THE GAZETTE 3

Library Gallery to Open in New Disney Center Architect Frank Gehry’s stunning new gospel, Latino, and classical. Visitors be dedicated to current musical program- Walt Disney Concert Hall will open in will be able to see manuscripts of works ming in the concert hall, which will house Los Angeles late this month with a new created by a wide variety of composers the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. gallery that will feature items from the and arrangers, including George and Ira The first edition of Franz Joseph Haydn’s Library’s collections of music and archi- Gershwin, Jascha Heifetz, Richie Valens, “Creation” and an original manuscript tecture design that highlight contributions Sam Cooke, Nelson Riddle, and others. for a song by Gustav Mahler will be on to these art forms in Los Angeles. Future installations in the gallery will display at the gallery’s opening. The new Library of Congress/Ira feature other Los Angeles-related items The exhibition was designed by Gershwin Gallery is made possible by a in the Library’s collections. Hodgetts and Fung Design Associates. generous gift from the Ira and Leonore Original drawings for houses designed The “Arts” section of the Sunday Gershwin Foundation. by James Osborne Craig, Frank Lloyd Washington Post (Oct. 19) featured The music component of the gallery’s Wright, Charles and Ray Eames, and Bart photographs of the center wrapped in inaugural exhibition will draw on the Prince will be displayed to illustrate the wings of stainless steel, whose “gentle Music Division’s unmatched collections quality and diversity of domestic archi- beauty” Benjamin Forgey describes in to illustrate the influence Angelenos tecture created in Southern California a long article. ❑ have had on all forms of American during the 20th century. music, including jazz, rhythm and blues, In addition, a section of the gallery will

CFC, Continued from Page 1 The National Capital Area CFC goal givers (those who give 1 percent of this year is twofold: 1) To increase by 2 their salaries) and Double Eagle givers percent the proportion of federal employ- (those who give 2 percent of their sala- last week, keyworkers began to distribute ees who participate in the 2003 campaign ries). In addition this year, gifts will be campaign information, pledge cards, and (last year, 47.8 percent—nearly half the awarded to those who give $501 to $1000 the “2003 Catalog of Caring.” The catalog federal work—gave) and 2) to increase (Bronze Eagle givers); $1,001 to $2,000 lists 3,200 charities and nonprofit organi- the average gift by 5 percent. (Silver Eagle givers); and $2,001 or more zations in the National Capital Area that The campaign will recognize Eagle (Gold Eagle givers). ❑ depend on CFC contributions to carry out their programs. The catalog explains how payroll deductions work, how donors control where their donations go, how charities qualify for listing in the catalog (the Office of Personnel Management certifies that their philanthropic projects are legitimate and cost-effective), and how federal workers serving on the Local Federal Coordinating Committee oversee the activities of the nonprofit fund-raising agency that runs the campaign. This committee deselected United Way and instead selected Global Impact, which, for several years, has directed the CFC for federal workers overseas and enjoyed “clean” OPM audits. A summary of the CFC effort in the National Capital Area appears in a cata- log introduction, pages 1 - 5. Even though

giving dropped off last year because of Joe Brooks United Way scandals, 158,949 federal CFC management team members are, from top left in the back row, Robert Handloff, workers gave a total of $47 million to Michael Hughes, Donald L. Scott, and Beacher Wiggins; and from left in front of them, Jeannie Simmons, Gail Moorhouse, Debra C. Brown, Dianne Rennack, Nicholos Christo- the 2002 CFC, National Capital Area. pher, Mark DiNapoli, Bozena Sarnecka-Crouch, and Marlene Crooks, CFC loaned execu- The average gift was $295.70. tive to the Library. 4 THE GAZETTE OCTOBER 24, 2003 OCTOBER 24, 2003 THE GAZETTE 5

national book festival Fiction, Mysteries, and STorytelling Pavilions Authors Spin Tales from Imagination, Experience Three 2003 National Book Festival pavilions featured stories spun into printed words from the imagination and told in the manner of those who carry on the oral traditions of their people in words, songs, and dance. The Fiction and Imagination Pavilion featured 10 popular writers whose novels have topped weekly bestseller charts. Sponsored by Workplace USA, the Mys- teries and Thrillers Pavilion featured 10 writers whose mastery of suspense keeps readers turning pages and buying and devouring their creations. The American Folklife Center of the Library coordinated the Storytelling Pavilion appearance of 12 storytellers. Michaela McNihol Julia Glass Gets Away With Readers old and young wait in long, wide lines for authors to sign their books. Breaking Rules for Writing Julia Glass, whom Washington Post tions too well and write just like them,” ing in the first person. She told half the book editor Marie Arana introduced she said. story of “Three Junes” from the perspec- as a “self-described ‘unrepentant late- 2) Have a room of your own. “All tive of, and in the voice of, Fenno, a gay bloomer’” and an artist who draws her you really need is an imagination of your man. “I was haunted by the fear I would characters “with a very fine pencil,” did own,” said Glass, who described her work- make a fool of myself by writing inside not set out to be a writer. table as the family center for dining, bill- this character’s head,” she said. First, she was a painter who supported paying, homework, and game-playing. 5) Write about that which you know. that ambition with jobs as an editor and She tries to remember to close her laptop This rule “stunts the growth of too many freelance journalist. “But, I had an over- between writing stints powering itch to write stories of my own,” to keep her 2-year-old Glass said. from smearing the key- Although many of her short stories board with pudding. did win prizes, others were too long to be 3) Outline. She published as short stories. “So, I decided found the creative to turn one of my oversized stories into a writing process was novel”—“Three Junes,” which, much to more like growing a her amazement, won the 2002 National tree: “You plant the Book Award for Literature. seed, watch it grow, Glass said she had worried about not prune it, and harvest following the rules she had heard and the fruit,” she said. read about for successful creative writers, She wrote from char- but then found her own way. She listed acter to character eight rules to break: rather than from one 1) Get a degree in creative writing. chronological event The advantage might be to gain a mentor to another, she said. or two and some writerly comrades, “but 4) First-time novel- Gail Fineberg you might meet your teachers’ expecta- ists should avoid writ- Julia Glass, right, chats with fans after her presentation. 4 THE GAZETTE OCTOBER 24, 2003 OCTOBER 24, 2003 THE GAZETTE 5

national book festival Fiction, Mysteries, and STorytelling Pavilions

mother’s block? When you feel you can’t was stunning.” write, it’s because you’d rather not.” “But my father hated the image of him- All of everyday life is a source of mate- self that he saw in ‘The Great Santini,’” rial for fiction, she said. “Notice. We’d Conroy said, “and by the time he died, be better spouses, parents, and friends my father had changed; he had become if we would notice more.” a good man and a good father.” — By Gail Fineberg Conroy said he was with his father when he died, along with his sister Carol Family Source of Material for and other relatives. “I interviewed him,” Stories By Pat Conroy Conroy said. “He had been an incredibly brave Marine aviator. . . . And my father Pat Conroy shared the podium at the said, ‘You’re going to write a book about book festival with his wife, Cassandra me, aren’t you? I always was your best King, author of “The Sunday Wife,” who subject!’” Conroy wondered whether spoke about the difficulty in drawing on there really was any interest in a new John Harrington some of her own painful experiences to book called “The Death of Santini.” Pat Conroy recalls listening to his write her book. She said that Conroy mother read good books. Conroy said that he fell in love with helped her to get past some of her fears stories as a child. “Stories are the sub- about writing about personal events. stance of my life; I’m passionate about fledgling writers,” she said. “Write about “You have to get over the fear of hurt- what you want to know about . . . start stories. I tell stories by unraveling layer ing your family,” Conroy said. “I enjoyed after layer” until he finds “the secret at by pretending you know more than you hurting my family!” He recalled that his know, and then verify the facts.” the core.” Asked if he planned to write mother, appearing at a court hearing on any short stories, he quickly responded, “Write from the heart, not from the the matter of her divorce from Conroy’s head,” she said. “Conroy don’t do nothin’ short!” father, handed the judge Conroy’s book, He made it clear that his books 6) Keep a journal. Her dilemma was “The Great Santini,” which he had based audience; “Who are you addressing?” she have all been derived from experiences on his father, and said: “It’s all here.” (many of them bad) in his own life (“I tell asked. “I prefer writing a letter, an e-mail, “I had the worst father on the face or even a shopping list, addressing my people I feel sad if they’ve had functional of the earth,” Conroy told the audience. families”). They often resulted from his refrigerator.” “Our household was so full of hatred it 7) Write every day—or else. “That is desire to answer a question, to get to the pure propaganda,” she said. “The lion’s bottom of why things happened the way share of writing is thinking.” She thinks they did. wherever she has a quiet moment to “Why did I get fired for teaching?” herself—in the shower, sitting in traffic, The result was the book “The Water is standing in a line to check out groceries, Wide.” waiting in a church for a wedding to start. “Why did I hate my father?” The “Then I carry it safely in my head until I answer was “The Great Santini.” can write it down.” Why did he have such a hard time as 8) Establish a daily routine with an undergraduate at The Citadel? That blocks of time to write; set deadlines answer came in two books: “ The Lords and goals. “Writing is not about a time of Discipline” and his most recent book, schedule,” she said. “You have to be recounting his athletic career there, “My mindful in a writerly way. . . . Hoover up Losing Season.” the details and deal with what you see “Why did my sister try to kill herself?” and hear.” Some days she writes bril- “The Prince of Tides” was his effort to liantly, Glass said, and others she “plays understand that. “With this family I was mental hooky.” born into,” Conroy added, “I will never Glass said she does not believe in go hungry.” — By Helen Dalrymple

writers’ block: “Did you ever hear of Gail Fineberg mechanic’s block, or teacher’s block, or Sue Monk Kidd pauses to sign a program. NBF, Continues on page 6 6 THE GAZETTE OCTOBER 24, 2003 OCTOBER 24, 2003 THE GAZETTE 7

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Fiction, Mysteries, and STorytelling Pavilions

NBF Continued from Page 5

Place Figures in Sue Monk Kidd’s “Secret Life of Bees” The job of a novelist is to take a bad situation and make it worse. That was Sue Monk Kidd’s summa- tion of her role as the author of her first published novel, “The Secret Life of Bees” (2002), which she described as “a wounded girl’s search for her mother.” Lily’s quest to learn about the mother she believes she killed leads unexpect- edly to three black bee-keeping sisters, May, June, and August. At their center is a Black Madonna, who is emblematic of the divine mother and queen bee from whom all others in the “dark hive” draw

strength and sustenance. John Harrington “This sanctuary of women teaches Edgar Award-winning mystery writer James Patterson keeps fans reading. Lily forgiveness and acceptance,” Kidd said. “I wanted to create a place that Lily my geography.” of some scriptwriters. He said he had could heal.” Kidd explained that she Savoring the satisfaction of having read the screen play based on one of his had wanted to write about a sanctuary touched a reader, she told a story of a books, “and I thought they’d given me the of warm, wise, hilarious women like the 49-year-old CEO having approached her. wrong script; awful, absolutely awful.” black women with whom she had grown “‘I did not want to read your book,’” the The author of “Up Country” (Warner up in South Carolina. man said. ‘Your book is about a 14-year- paperback, April 2003) and creator of Kidd discussed the importance of old girl in South Carolina, and I’m a John detective John Corey, who cracks crimes place in her novel. “It is important not to Grisham kind of guy. But I made a con- in “Plum Island” (1997) and “The Lion’s romanticize a place, but to tell the truth,” nection to Lily. I made a connection to she said. The South Carolina in which black women and a little white girl who she grew up and set her story is “richly needs her mother.’” textured,” a place of “great soul, beauty, “Writing fiction creates empathy,” humor, cruelty, tragedy, and violence,” Kidd said. she said. “Humor is tightly woven with “We humans tend to preserve differ- tragedy.” ence. When we read fiction, the boundar- Kidd said she did not imagine her ies of separation become permeable.” book’s funeral scene in which the dearly — By Gail Fineberg departed is displayed behind the drive- by window of a mortuary that had set up shop in a former bank. “It exists. I drove Best Seller Endures Changes by it one day and then tested it at the of His Words for Screen Plays funeral of a stranger. I drove through, and Nelson DeMille, a Vietnam war vet- the drawer came out with a book in it for eran and former insurance fraud investi- me to sign. The casket was displayed in gator, writes mystery-thrillers so they can the window, so you could view it without be made into movies. “It’s important to exerting yourself.” have people read . . . because that’s how

She said she could not write a novel I make my living,” he said. Underdue Fern without addressing race, “the wound of But he prefers his words to those Nelson DeMille’s books become movies. 6 THE GAZETTE OCTOBER 24, 2003 OCTOBER 24, 2003 THE GAZETTE 7

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Fiction, Mysteries, and STorytelling Pavilions Game” (2000), DeMille discussed the acters, she said that they “evolve; they film-making aspect of his work and blossom and grow.” fielded questions: “I don’t believe in writer’s block; I Q: How many rejections did you get only believe in bad ideas,” Coulter said, before your first book was published? in describing the one time that she did A: “Actually, none. . . . I met a former run into a stone wall as she was working paperback editor in the service; we sat on a novel. She said she got as far as page around and got drunk and I decided to 85 and then couldn’t go any farther. “I be a writer,” he replied. “I never went just threw it out and started over. . . . You through the agony of rejection.” have to trust yourself,” she said. Q: Why did you decide to end “Up Coulter also said she thinks most Country” the way you did? writers write what they read; one of her A: “It was a long book that needed to favorite authors is Dick Francis, who has end,” he replied. “I like ambiguous end- retired since his wife’s death and is no ings, although my publisher doesn’t.” longer writing his novels about jockeys Q: How similar are you to the char- and steeplechase racing. She said she acters you create in your books? is a huge Harry Potter fan.

A: “Sometimes I think they’re cooler Gail Fineberg In describing her two very different than I am; other times, I think I’m cooler Catherine Coulter signs festival event kinds of books, she said that the core of than they are.” staffer’s program. the romantic suspense novel is the rela- — By Helen Dalrymple tionship between a man and a woman; in which she built her reputation, and but the core of the suspense thriller is the contemporary FBI thrillers. conundrum, a problem that needs to be Catherine Coulter Specializes Coulter says she starts her books with in Romance and FBI Thrillers solved. And, with a suspense novel, she a “what if” idea; she doesn’t draw up a said, the author needs to keep it tightly Author Catherine Coulter has written comprehensive outline before she begins paced to keep the reader turning the 54 novels, including 47 New York Times to write. But she is very disciplined and pages. Historical romance novels are bestsellers. She now alternates between keeps to a regular schedule of writing in “more relaxed.” historical romances, which is the genre the morning. With regard to her char- Writing in these two very different genres, Coulter noted, “means I’ll never get bored.” She said she would keep on writing “until I have the brain to stop.” — By Helen Dalrymple

Law Professor Stephen L. Carter Discovers Fiction Publishing and promoting fiction is a “peculiar experience” for Stephen L. Carter, whose first novel is “The Emperor of Ocean Park” (2002). Carter, the William Nelson Cromwell professor of law at Yale University, where he has taught since 1982, said he was used to tours to promote his seven critically acclaimed nonfiction books, “what my brother-in-law calls my ‘everybody-is- entitled-to-my-opinion books.’” Typically, the audiences attracted to

John Harrington the small book stores that stocked his Stephen Carter converses with a young fan while signing his novel. NBF, Continues on page 8 8 THE GAZETTE OCTOBER 24, 2003 OCTOBER 24, 2003 THE GAZETTE 9

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handing him 19 pages of notes on NBF Continued from Page 7 yellow legal-size paper. “I need it back nonfiction were smaller than the book by Wednesday.” store staffs, and they were usually angry, He finished his rewriting assignment he said, “not at me, but they wanted to on time, but he heard nothing more until argue with each other. My role usually his agent told him she had an offer for was that of mediator.” the movie rights. “But you don’t have a The people who come to hear him publisher yet,” he said. “I know,” she said. discuss “Emperor” are usually friendly. I’m working on that.” “The people who hate it don’t bother to “I was exhausted and glad to be done come,” he said. with it. I was even grateful for the bad People often ask him why, “after all reviews; at least somebody was reading these years of writing books nobody it,” he said. reads,” did he decide to write fiction. Asked if he had read the screenplay “I always wanted to write,” he said. for his work, he said emphatically, “No. As a youngster, he filled small note- That is an art form I know nothing about. books with stories written in one long I might want to interfere.” paragraph, ending only when he ran out Nancy Alfaro Some of the characters in “Emperor” Djimo Kouyate, a Sengalese story- may find new lives in other novels. He of paper. In one, dinosaurs conquer the teller and musician, keeps alive an earth, “which is saved by a plucky little African oral tradition. said he is “fiddling” with two manuscripts. boy in Washington, D.C.” In another, “It is hard to write a second novel,” he aliens take over the earth, “saved by a assembled, bit by bit,” he said. said. plucky little boy in Washington.” In response to a reader’s question, he “I keep worrying whether anybody “Stephen Spielberg stole my ideas,” said he is not like his protagonist, also will like it,” said the writer of whom the he said. a law professor. “One, he is skeptical New York Times Book Review wrote: “It’s The characters in “Emperor” grew of others’ motives; he thinks he is not not much of an exaggeration to think that out of the milieu of the black upper invited someplace because he is black. in Stephen Carter the black upper class crust in Washington, where he clerked Second, he has a way of dithering about has found its Dreiser.” for Supreme Court Justice Thurgood the world. I want to tell him to get a move — By Gail Fineberg Marshall. “The judge [character Oliver on, but I can’t do that. Third, he is very Garland] came to me almost 20 years jealous of his wife. Why is she so awful? ago—he was socially conservative and I don’t know . . . she is one of my favorite ambitious—and the other characters characters, but everybody hates her.” Two years before he started the book, he had written the prologue, which he eventually showed to his agent, whose response was “Okay.” Then one day the agent asked, “What about that fiction?” He set to work seriously, but only after a full day of teaching and writing for Yale. “I was staying up to 1 and 2 a.m., writing.” Finally, his wife said, “Finish it. I’m taking the kids and going away after Christmas and we’re not coming back until you are finished.” She kept her word, staying away, he said, “until one week I lied and she came home.” He finally had a manuscript for Jim Hardin Jim Hardin Carmen Agra Deedy’s stories about her Tinh expresses Vietnamese stories “Emperor” to show his agent. “I have Cuban mother’s Florida driving record with classical guitar. a few suggestions,” she said one Friday, keep audience in stitches. 8 THE GAZETTE OCTOBER 24, 2003 OCTOBER 24, 2003 THE GAZETTE 9

Author Elizabeth Peters to Discuss New Book at LC Nov. 4

Elizabeth Peters (the pen name of world of the extended Emerson family Division created the Judith Austin Memo- Egyptologist Barbara Mertz), creator of and their friends with the archaeology rial Lecture series as a continuing tribute the popular Amelia Peabody mystery of ancient Egypt’s temples and tombs. to Austin’s outstanding contributions series, will deliver the annual Judith This extensive compendium explores the during her 20 years of service at the Austin Memorial Lecture at the Library at remarkable land of Egypt from the age Library. Austin, the longtime head of noon on Tuesday, Nov. 4, in the Mumford of the pharaohs through the Napoleonic the Local History and Genealogy Room Room, LM 649. era to the first World War. Primarily set and head of the Main Reading Room The lecture, titled “Amelia Peabody’s during the Victorian era, the work is also from 1996 to 1997, died in 1997. Previ- Egypt,” is free and open to the public. a window into the attitudes of the Brit- ous speakers in the series were Paul Peters will discuss her latest book, her ish Empire, as well as the customs and Dickson, Eric Grundset, Sara Paretsky, beloved main characters the Emersons, fashions of the time. and Helen Leary. ❑ and Egypt past and present. The lecture The Humanities and Social Sciences will be followed by a book-signing. Under the pen name Elizabeth Peters, Mertz has written 15 historical mysteries set in Egypt featuring Amelia Peabody Digital Music Conference Oct. 26-30 and Radcliffe Emerson, a husband-and- The Library joins the Johns Hopkins Presentations will feature peer- wife team of Victorian Egyptologists. In University Sheridan Libraries in sponsor- reviewed research papers, “posters” addition to the Amelia Peabody series, ing the 4th annual International Confer- (shorter, informal presentations), panel she has written approximately 50 thrillers ence on Music Information Retrieval sessions, and pre-conference tutorials. under the pen names of Elizabeth Peters (ISMIR), which will be held from Oct. Reflecting the dynamic and interdis- and Barbara Michaels. 26 to Oct. 30, in Baltimore, Md. ciplinary nature of music information Mertz is, in fact, an expert on Egypt “The Library of Congress is pleased to retrieval, sessions will highlight the latest who holds a doctorate in the subject be co-sponsoring this conference,” said research in such areas as similarity and from the University of Chicago and Laura Campbell, associate librarian for recognition, query by example, and music is the author (writing under her own strategic initiatives. “Capturing, deliver- digital libraries, with a particular empha- name) of two important scholarly works ing, and preserving digital music present sis on sheet music collections, intellectual on Egyptology (“Red Land, Black Land: new challenges for creators, distributors, property rights, and business models. The World of the Ancient Egyptians,” and users, and archival repositories, and we Anthony Seeger, professor of ethno- “Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs: The look forward to fruitful discussions.” musicology at the University of California Story of Egyptology”). Campbell is leading a nationwide Library at Los Angeles, will open the conference The beautifully illustrated “Amelia initiative, the National Digital Information on Oct. 27 with a presentation titled “I Peabody’s Egypt” combines the fictional Infrastructure and Preservation Program Found It, How Can I Use It?—Dealing (www.digitalpreservation.gov), to develop with Ethical and Legal Constraints of an infrastructure for the collection and Information Access.” Donated Leave long-term preservation of digital content, “The annual ISMIR conference is the The following Library employees have satis- including digital music. first established international forum for fied the eligibility requirements of Library of Congress Regulation (LCR) 2015-13 to receive the diverse communities involved in leave donations from other staff members. music information retrieval,” noted Win- Participants in the voluntary leave trans- fer program have exhausted other sources of ston Tabb, dean of university libraries at leave during their medical emergencies and Johns Hopkins. “This year’s conference greatly appreciate leave donations. Individuals wishing to receive leave or MUSIC, Continues on page 10 donate leave through this program should contact the acting Program Manager, Runako Balondemu, at 7-1545. JEFFERSON SALES SHOP Lori Bailey Mitchell Harrison Andrea Ball Sandra Johnson Discount for Staff through the Holidays LC Luminary Lectures Alice Butler Robert Jordan @ Your Library Tamille Brown Robin Lancaster Library and congressional staff with Kathleen Cabana Patricia Lash I.D. will receive a 20% DISCOUNT Wednesday, Nov. 19, James Childress Tameka Lyons through Dec. 31 Lucille Cook Laura Monagle 10:30 a.m.- noon @ the Pickford Stephen Daggett Charlyn Pyne No addtional discounts will be given for already Theater, LM 301 Tamikia Epperson Glenda Richardson reduced merchandise. Patricia Grant Bonnie Roberts Karen Coyle, Digital Library Specialist Vanessa Guess Francine Via JEFFERSON SALES SHOP HOURS: “The Technology of Copyright: Digital Denise Hamlet Muriel Washington 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday Rights Management” 10 THE GAZETTE OCTOBER 24, 2003 OCTOBER 24, 2003 THE GAZETTE 11

MUSIC, Continued from Page 9 a concert at the Johns Hopkins’ Peabody came from the Institute for Museum and Conservatory of Music. Information Library Services, the National Science is specifically designed to provide an regarding the conference schedule and Foundation, the Lester S. & Eleanor K. opportunity for computer music special- fees can be found on the Web at http: Levy Philanthropic Fund, the Gottes- ists and members of the archival, library, //ismir2003.ismir.net. man Fund, and the Arnall and Ellen and museum communities to explore the Generous support of this conference Patz Fund. ❑ complex issues related to the tremendous growth of music-related data.” In past years, conference participants Library of Congress Professional Associationʼs What representing academic and research insti- 2004 Library of Congress IF...Science Fiction and Fantasy Forum Present tutions, libraries, and private industry Mentoring Program Writing at the Corner of from more than 20 countries participated Kick-Off Day Fantasy and Reality by Lillian Stewart Carl www.lilianstewartcarl.com in the conference. Friday, Nov. 7 • 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Oct. 30, 12:10 p.m., LM-G45 The conference will take place in For additional information contact Carol Copies of “Memory and Desire” downtown Baltimore at the Radisson Winfree, 7-4569, or Valarie Wright, 7-7297. will be on sale and a book signing will follow the presentation. Plaza Lord Baltimore Hotel, 20 West Bal- timore Street. Special events will include Forum for the Study of tours and a reception at the Library as Comparative Religion Help Design Employees’ Art, Crafts well as a special dinner in Baltimore and Show Catalog Cover The forum generally meets twice monthly The LCPA Employees Art and Crafts on Tuesdays in LM-527 at noon. Exhibit Committee is soliciting designs The Library of Congress DATE TOPIC for the cover of the art show catalog this Philatelic Club Oct. 28 Sacred Space year. Contact Von Smith for specific Nov. 18 Sacred Space requirements 7-1416. Submissions are due by COB, Oct. 24. All meetings are at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays Dec. 9 Sacred Space in the Decimal Classification Conference Room, LM 5th Floor, Green Core, Nov. 4, Nov. 18, Dec. 2, Dec. 16. Contact John Roberts at 7-3129 for more information. Stroke Screening There will be stroke screening offered from 9 .a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 30, in Classroom A/B, LM 654. Library of Congress The Health Services Office in conjunction with Life Line Screening is offering screening to detect arterial abnormalities that can cause irregular blood flow. These screenings use Concerts doppler ultrasound technology, and are noninvasive and painless. The screening will be Oct. 24: held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, in Classroom A/B, LM 654. The screenings Juilliard String Quartet withx and cost are listed below: Charles Neidich, clarinet Stroke Screening/Carotid Artery - $45. Bartók: String Quartet no. 1, op. 7 (Visualizes the buildup of fatty plaque in the carotid arteries, which can lead to stroke.) Babbitt: Clarinet Quintet Procedure: The technologist applies an acoustic gel over the carotid arteries in the neck and Beethoven cycle (Part II): String Quartet in uses an instrument that “reads” interior of the arteries. B-flat Major, op. 131 Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm - $45. Oct. 28: Visualizes the existence of an aneurysm (enlargement) of the abdominal aorta that could lead Chilingirian String Quartet to a ruptured aortic artery. Mozart: String Quartet in C Major, K. 465 Procedure: The technologist applies an acoustic gel to the abdomen and uses an instrument to (“Dissonance”) visualize the aorta. Bartók: String Quartet no. 5 (Coolidge Com- Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening - $45. mission) Screens for peripheral arterial disease in the lower extremities. Studies suggest an abnormal ABI Dvorák: String Quartet in D Major, op. 106 may indicate peripheral arterial disease as well as a high risk of coronary artery disease. Procedure: Blood pressure cuffs and a doppler ultrasound probe are placed on arms and Oct. 30: ankles. Music from China Osteoporosis Screening - $35 An ensemble that offers the sights and sounds of “silk strings and bamboo winds” Screens for abnormal bone mass density in men and women. Osteoporosis is painless and silent with fiddles and flutes; the ancient sounds in its early stages. of the pipa and erhu; and the percussive Procedure: An ultrasound unit measures the bone density of the heel. strength of gongs and woodblocks—in Complete Vascular Package (all 3 screenings): $99 works by Zhou Long, Chen Yi, Zhou Qinru, and Sign up for all four screenings and pay $125 James Mobberley. Pre-registration is required. Please call 1-800-407-4557 for an appointment. 10 THE GAZETTE OCTOBER 24, 2003 OCTOBER 24, 2003 THE GAZETTE 11

PEACE CORPS, Continued from Page 1 LCPA Language Tables November 2003 Schedule said, ‘You are not going to repeat our Note: All languages tables are conversational/cultural, with the exception of those with lives. You are going to make something asterisks (*), which offer instruction. All tables meet noon - 1 p.m., unless otherwise stated. of yourself, and you are going to do that by education.’” Table Day (noon-1 p.m.) Location Contact At first, that route did not seem ASL 6,13, 20, 27 LM 623 Toby French, 7-5463 promising. But one seventh-grade teacher (Thursday) (TTY) took him under her wing and prepared Arabic Beginning* 14, 18 (Tuesday) LM G35 Nawal A. Kawar, him for a speech contest. At first an 7-4708 unlikely candidate, Vasquez went on to Arabic Advanced* 6, 20 (Thursday) LM G35 Nawal A. Kawar, be the California state oratorial champion 7-4708 in a contest sponsored by the American Armenian* 12, 26 LM 632 Lola Pickering, Legion. This qualified him for several (Wednesday) 7-8904 scholarships. Chinese Monday, TBA LM G45 Anna Ho, 7-9467 “That experience taught me that if I’m French 13 (Thursday) LM 501 Patricia Carlton, going to be somebody, I have to desire [to 7-2859 do] more than simply stand by and be a Hebrew (ad hoc) Call Lenore Bell, 7-7313 spectator,” said Vasquez. “To be success- Hebrew* 3, 10, 17, 24 LM 453 Peter Kearney, ful, I had to be a participant.” Beginning (12:10 p.m.) 7-4326 As head of one of the nation’s largest (Monday) volunteer agencies, Vasquez practices Hungarian 20 (Thursday) Call Eniko Basa, 7-0197 what he preaches. Along with other Italian 6, 20 (Thursday) LM G-51B Dee Gallo, 7-6937 Latino leaders, he established the His- (ITS Conf Rm) panic Education Endowment Fund in Japanese 13, 27 LA 5224-6 Tomoko Steen, Orange City, Calif. Now in its tenth year, (Thursday) (S,T &B’s Conf Rm) 7-1207 the organization has raised $2 million Portuguese 6, 20 LJ 240 Carlos Olave, 7-3702 to meet the educational needs of this Hanke Rm underserved population. Spanish 4, 11, 18, 25 LM 323 Reid Graham, 7-9476 He challenged the audience to con- (Tuesday) sider joining the Peace Corps when they Tagalog * 6, 13, 20, 27 LM 515, Herminia Smith, retire. (Thursday) Serial Conference 7-6176 “I know a retired couple, now on their Room fifth tour of service —a total of 10 years— Turkish * 4, 18 (Tuesday) LM 527 Joan Weeks 7-3657 who calls the Peace Corps their RV.” He also challenged those in the audi- Special Events: Spanish table: Starts meeting weekly on Tuesdays. ence to mentor others. “To whom much has been given, much Please call for information on the following tables: Amharic, Napolean Jasper, 7-0412; English (as a is required,” said Vasquez. “I wouldn’t be second language) Diane Schug-O’Neill, 7-2886; German, Karla Parodi, 7-5041; Elementary Greek, John here today if not for my teachers. As a Buydos, 7-1191; Ukrainian, Jurij Dobczansky, 7-3080; Polish, please call if you would like to be the nation, we can do better. We must take table coordinator for Polish, 7-6604; Romanian, Grant Harris, 7-5859; Russian, Nina Palmin, 7-5576; ownership and reach out with the passion See www.loc.gov/staff/lcpa/schedule.html for further information and special events. that the times require.” ❑

LCPA Arena Stage Tickets The Humanities and Social Sciences Division offers “Camelot” Research Orientation to the Sunday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m. Library of Congress Presented from 10:30 a.m. to noon on the following Mondays: A single ticket costs Oct. 27; Nov. 3, 17, 24 in the Jefferson Building, Room G-07 $55 for a front-row seat in the Fichandler Theater; buyers may Registration Required: Phone (202) 707-3370 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., or register in person in claim a tax deduction the Computer Catalog Center, Jefferson Building, first floor of $13.50 per ticket. For more information call: Kathy Woodrell, (202) 707-0945, or Abby Yochelson, (202) 707-2138. Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 (voice/TTY) or [email protected]. Contact Robert Handloff at 7-4443 or [email protected] . 12 THE GAZETTE OCTOBER 24, 2003

CALENDAR F R I D AY 2 4 WEDNESDAY 29 JoAnn Thomas, 7-8637. Kluge Center: Book Talk by Ambas- Aerobic Classes: Low Impact. 11:45 Tai Chi Class: Beginning level 2. 11:30 sador Arman Kirakossian, “British a.m., LC Wellness Center, LA-B36. Con- a.m. LC Wellness Center, LA-B36. Call Diplomacy and the Armenian Question: tact JoAnn Thomas, 7-8637. S.W. Chen at 7-3284. 1830-1914,” Noon, LJ 119. Concert: Juilliard String Quartet, with Treasure Talk: Len Bruno, MSS, gives Forum: “Writing at the Corner of Fan- Charles Neidich, clarinet. 8 p.m., a special curator’s tour through “The tasy and Reality” by Lillian Stewart Carl, Coolidge Auditorium. Dream of Flight” display. Noon, in the 12:10 p.m., LM-G45. Presented by the “American Treasures” exhibition. Library of Congress Professional Asso- Film: “No Highway in the Sky” (1951). 7 ciation’s What IF... Discussion Forum for Lecture: Joe Galloway will discuss his p.m. Mary Pickford Theater, LM 301. Science Fiction and Fantasy. book, “We Were Soldiers Once…and Help Design Art Show Catalog Cover: Young.” Noon –1 p.m., Dining Room A, Film: “Rock Island Trail” (1950), 7 p.m., Last day for submissions. Contact Von LM 620. Sponsored by LCPA Veterans Mary Pickford Theater, LM 301. Smith, 7-1416. Forum. Concert: Music from China, 8 p.m., Aerobic Classes: Low-Impact Class. Coolidge Theater. M O N D AY 2 7 12:30 p.m. LC Wellness Center, LA-B36. Contact JoAnn Thomas, 7-8637. Tai Chi Class: Beginning level 1. F R I D AY 3 1 11:30 a.m. LC Wellness Center, LA-B36. Lecture: Eduardo Matos Moctezuma Aerobic Classes: Low-Impact Class. Contact S.W. Chen, 7-3284. on “The Excavations of the Aztec Templo Mayor in Mexico City.” 4 p.m., 11:45 a.m. LC Wellness Center, LA-B36. Reception: ISMIR reception and dinner., Mary Pickford Theater, LM 301. Lecture Contact JoAnn Thomas, 7-8637. 6 – 8 p.m., Great Hall. in Spanish with simultaneous transla- Symposium: Chinese Section’s 75th tion. Sponsored by the Hispanic Divi- Anniversary, with discussions by outside T U E S D AY 2 8 sion. scholars about the development of LC’s Chinese collections and their usefulness Books & Beyond: “A Small Nation Aerobic Classes: High-Low. 11:45 a.m. in the morning session, and discussions of People: W.E.B. DuBois and African LC Wellness Center, LA-B36. Contact of future digital programs in the after- American Portraits of Progress, with JoAnn Thomas, 7-8637. noon. All day, Mumford Room, LM 649. essays by David Levering Lewis and Luncheon at noon, Madision Hall. Forum for the Study of Comparative Deborah Willis. 6:30 p.m. Mumford Religion: Topic is “Sacred Space.” Room, LM 649. Co-sponsored by the Film: “The Dawn Patrol” (1930). 7 p.m. Noon. LM 527. Contact T. Michael Publishing Office. Mary Pickford Theater, LM 301. Womack, 7-7914. Poetry Reading: 6:45 p.m., Mumford THURSDAY 30 Room, LM 649. Carpools Maryland Stroke Screening: Health Services Established carpool from Colesville, Md., Film: “Calamity Jane” (1953). 7 p.m. seeks driver/rider. Comflex time. Call Mary Pickford Theater, LM 301. Office in conjunction with Life Line Screening is offering screening to Lydia at 7-4248 or e-mail [email protected]. Concert: Chilingirian String Quartet. 8 detect arterial abnormalities that can Established carpool seeks rider. Originates p.m., Coolidge Auditorium. in Calvert County, with possible meeting cause irregular blood flow. These points along Rt. 4/Pennsylvania Ave. 6:30 Domestic Violence Awareness Month screenings use Doppler Ultrasound a.m - 4 p.m. schedule. Call Ken Schaaf at Event: The Library of Congress Asian Technology, and are non-invasive and 7-4506. completely painless. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Association and Advisory Coun- Carpools Virginia cil on Women’s Issues presents a play Classroom A/B, LM-654. Pre-registration is required. Call 1-800-407-4557 for an Established carpool meeting at Fillmore on domestic violence by Tsunami The- Ave. (just off Seminary Rd.), in Alexandria, ater Company, “Broken Silence,” 10 - 11 appointment. Va., seeks another rider. Call Rich at 7-9517. a.m., West Dining Room, LM621. Contact Aerobic Classes: High-Low. 11:45 a.m. Established carpool meeting at 395 and Tomoko Steen, 7-1207, or [email protected] LC Wellness Center, LA-B36. Contact Edsall Road seeks driver/rider. Call Vera at 7-3943. Carpool seeks driver/rider from Stafford/ An Open House Exhibition for all Library of Congress employees Fredericksburg. Call Liz at 7-0968 or Michael at 7-0924. Thursday, October 23 • 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. • West Dining Room LCFCU membership & service information will be available Driver seeks carpool from Route 28 or Stringfellow area at I-66 (Centreville area). on a wide range of topics, including: Call Jen at 7-7669 or e-mail [email protected]. • Financial services from cradle to college & career to retirement Rider seeks carpool from Old Town • Lifetime membership benefits Alexandria, Va. Call Roger at 7-6710. • Auto buying and financing Driver wanted for established carpool from • Home mortgages Kings Park West/Burke area of Fairfax • Home buying and selling rebates and real estate counseling County. Call Mike at 7-9890 or e-mail Prizes Drawings * Snacks * Giveaways * Don’t Miss It [email protected].