Government Gem: Aeronautical and Astronautical Resources

Once again the State Library’s status as a Federal Depository Library has paid off with a beautiful new book published based on the collections of the Library of Congress.  Aeronautical and Astronautical Resources of the Library of Congress: A Comprehensive Guide has a clumsy title, but is jam packed with beautiful full-color reproductions of some of the most compelling moments in the history of flight.  The usual suspects are here (the Wright brothers, World War II photographs and government propaganda), but there are also some real stunners.  Take for example, a two page reproduction of a photograph of the city of San Francisco after the 1906 fire and earthquake…taken by a camera mounted to a series of kites.  Or a group of postcards depicting the early French ballooning craze in the 1780s.  Aeronautical and Astronautical Resources is pretty reasonably priced for a book of this type, but free is even more reasonably priced!  This book is now available for checkout at the Washington State Library, as well as many other Depository libraries.

Government Gem: A Botanic Garden for the Nation

During these lovely Northwest summers, our thoughts turn outdoors to our lawns and gardens, along with the obligatory stops at Lowe’s or Home Depot.  Evidently the Feds are of a similar mind this year (although probably not the box store part), because we recently received “A Botanic Garden for the Nation: The United States Botanic Garden” as part of our Serial Set collection.  This book features full color photographs of botanical specimens found at the Botanic Garden, as well as a graphic history of the Botanic Garden’s architecture.  As with the other books we have featured in this space, this one is well worth checking out.  “A Botanic Garden for the Nation” is currently on display in the Washington State Library’s Reading Room.

Government Gem: Women in Congress

We like to profile some of the great publications which the Washington State Library receives through the United States Depository Library Program.  Here’s another great one from the Serial Set: Women in Congress: 1917-2006.  This hefty volume starts out with a general history of women in Congress, and then moves on to individual profiles, separated into “Former Women Members” and “Current Women Members.”  Each profile includes a summary of the Congresswoman’s career, notable achievements, political causes, a large photograph, and quotations.  The most noteworthy features are the further reading suggestions, and manuscript collections pertinent to each lawmaker.  Washington State is, of course, well represented.  One especially interesting entry is for former Democratic represenative, Julia Butler Hansen, who served from 1960 to 1974:

When [Julia Butler Hansen] brought her first bill as subcommittee chair to the full committee, Chairman Mahon decided to test her. “Oh, Julie, you’re going to have to cut at least $2 million out of that bill,” Mahon said. Hansen complied.  The next morning, after conferring with her subcommittee, she reported to Mahon that she had cut $2.5 million from the bill. “Julie, that’s wonderful,” Mahon said. “Where did you take it out of the bill?” She replied, “Right out of your district, Mr. Chairman.”

As with our other government publications, if you are interested in seeing the print version of Women in Congress, just let us know and we’ll have it waiting for you at the Reference Desk when you arrive.

Government Gem: 200 Notable Days

Here’s another Federal publication that is good looking and entertaining: “200 Notable Days: Senate Stories, 1787 to 2002“. The stories behind these days make you wonder if politics have ever been civil. Consider these entries from the section, “The ‘Golden Age’ of the Senate, 1801-1850′: “No Hissing”, “Presiding Officer Stripped of Powers”, “The Senate Arrests a Reporter”, and “Speech Costs Senator his Seat”. In the 1850’s there were “The Caning of Senator Charles Sumner” and “Senator Killed in a Duel” (by a political rival who was Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court–a truly activist judge if there ever was one). In more recent decades you learn that the Senate considered banning dial phones (“difficult to operate”), who broke the original Senate gavel, and how a party lost control of the Senate by not declaring a Turnip Day. Filibusters abound. Each day is given a full page with an illustration and a suggestion for further reading.

The Washington State Library received the print version of this great publication as part of the depository library program.  If you would like to see this book, just let us know and we’ll have it waiting for you when you arrive.

Making Congress Fun! No, Really.

With Fantasy Football season winding down, you may be wondering where to direct your fantasy sports energies.  May we suggest Fantasy Congress?  Draft a team consisting of experienced and inexperienced Senators and Representatives, and then watch them accumulate points for you by introducing bills, getting their bills approved by committee, getting their bills passed by a vote, and so on.

Sound fun?  How about this added benefit:  “By inspiring people to care about government as much as they care about sports, Fantasy Congress hopes to encourage government transparency and responsibility while educating the governed.“ 

You can hear creator Andrew Lee talk about Fantasy Congress on NPR’s Talk of the Nation. 

Play ball!

Government Gem: Catalogue of Graphic Art

As a United States Federal Depository Library, the Washington State Library receives all manner of government publications.  Recently a beautiful book entitled “United States Senate Catalogue of Graphic Art” appeared on our doorstep as part of the Serial Set, and we knew we had to share it with you.  “Catalogue of Graphic Arts” is packed with nearly 1,000 prints from the holdings of the United States Senate.  There are 500 pages of glossy full-color images featuring the best 19th century political illustrations and cartoons from the popular illustrated magazines of the day (Harper’s Weekly, Puck).  You won’t be able to find this gem at just any library– only the ones that participate in the government depository library program, like the Washington State Library.  Give us a holler if you’d like to see this fabulous book, and we’ll have it waiting for you when you arrive.

Government Gems: 1905 Senator Biography

A.T. Van de Vanter: friend to the noblest beasts of creation and mortal man.  Mr. Aaron Van deVanter served as a State Senator for the 31st District (Seattle) in the 1903 and 1905 legislative sessions.  This stirring biography appeared in the Cayton’s Legislative Manual: 9th Legislature of Washington, 1905.