A Researcher’s Dream

Masked Selfie Outside

James Madison Memorial Building

I was just in Washington, D.C., researching the Separation Myth project, and I must say how powerful and productive the experience proved to be. Since COVID and the subsequent pandemic, the Library of Congress (LOC) shortened its available hours for researchers, so I felt fortunate to have been granted appointments during the week. Even when they needed to close early on Friday (to prepare for reopening the library fully), they allowed me to come in early and continue my research. The librarians, security, and other staff at the Madison building were professional and incredibly helpful.

Keep in mind that the material I hoped to find is accessible only through an on-site visit. I remembered my last visit there, a few years ago, when I happily plied through dusty folders looking for historical data. But there is a reason why the LOC is the premiere library in our nation, perhaps the world: the few hours a day I was granted became some of the most productive time I could have wished for. I found the material organized and easy to access and save for further reference. They were aware of COVID restrictions and maintained the closest of restrictions - even while sitting at a desk in a room by myself, I was asked to keep my mask on! The librarians were ever-present and concerned about my research; they even helped by steering me in the most productive direction.

Let me also note that this is a wonderful journey that I am on, at least I feel so. Having this opportunity to look back into the past, and then forge new ways of looking at human nature, is what I imagine every researcher ultimately wants to accomplish. I am a firm believer in the old adage that if we learn from the mistakes of the past, we will avoid repeating those errors in the future. This project aims to make those connections, clearly.

This summer, I am also blessed to be mentoring a couple of students who are researching their theses, which means I am able to share the joys of my research with them. I hope I can help them appreciate the potential and the excitement of uncovering information/knowledge, not to mention, composing precious data into their own creative projects. As a mentor, I should strive for nothing less.

But again, thank you Library of Congress for all the treasure that you store. Yes, it’s quite the researcher’s dream.