Library of Congress International Collections

09/05/2026

Asian Division’s 2027 Florence Tan Moeson Fellowship:
Now accepting applications to pursue research with the Library’s Asian collections. This year’s application deadline is before midnight (ET), Sunday, November 1, 2026 for the 2027 fellowship cycle. Open to students, faculty, librarians, and independent researchers. More information, including how to apply, on the fellowship website: https://blogs.loc.gov/international-collections/2026/09/the-asian-divisions-florence-tan-moeson-fellowship-now-accepting-applications-for-2027/

09/04/2026

Find out how you can explore, transcribe, and review centuries of Spanish legal documents through the By the People program!

09/02/2026

To mark the conclusion of the building of the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece whose construction began in the heart of Barcelona, Spain, librarians in the Hispanic Reading Room have set up a small collections display containing books about Gaudí’s life, artistic vision, drawings and renderings. The final and tallest tower of this architectural wonder was finalized this past February and inaugurated in June 2026.
Come check out the display if you happen to be in the area! It will be up till mid-September.

https://www.loc.gov/research-centers/hispanic

08/27/2026

Did you know Aug. 27 is World Rock Paper Scissors Day? ✊✋✌️
Check out our new blog post (https://blogs.loc.gov/international-collections/2026/08/a-universal-game-a-hands-on-exploration-of-rock-paper-scissors-in-the-japanese-rare-book-collection/?loclr=fbint) to learn more about the different ways rock paper scissors was played in Japan over 100 years ago. You can even follow the rules from the 1830 rule book “Ken hitorigeiko” 拳獨稽古 (Self-Study for Finger Games) and try playing them yourself!

Image: Diagrams for the finger combinations for playing the “original finger game” (hon-ken). From Yamazakura Renren’s “Ken hitorigeiko,” ca. 1830. Japanese Rare Book Collection, Library of Congress Asian Division.

08/26/2026

*Job Announcement*
The Asian Division is hiring a processing technician to work with the division’s Chinese collection, with a focus on conducting inventory work on Chinese-language materials from the 19th and early 20th centuries. For full details and instructions on how to apply, see the vacancy announcement at USA Jobs, https://www.usajobs.gov/job/881994200. Consider applying or sharing this announcement among colleagues with proficiency in Chinese and professional experience in libraries or archives. Application deadline is September 8, 2026. This is a full-time but term-limited appointment, not-to-exceed (NTE) 3 years.

08/25/2026

*Job Announcement*
See information below for the opening: Deputy Field Director – India. This person will assist in managing the Library’s overseas office located in New Delhi, India, which was established in 1962. The office identifies, acquires, catalogs, preserves, and distributes selected publications of high research value to the Library of Congress and through the Cooperative Acquisitions Program to other libraries. The incumbent serves under the general administrative supervision of the Field Director but works independently, exercising considerable judgment, and carries out duties and responsibilities in accordance with broad overall guidelines and policies. Work is coordinated with the Department of State in the host country of the office. With the Field Director, serves as a principal liaison for the organization, acting as an official representative of the Library of Congress with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, with American and foreign government officials in all the countries covered by the overseas office.
Follow the link below for full details and instructions on how to apply. The deadline for applications is September 18, 2026.
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/881258700

08/20/2026

*Job Announcement*
A new position for a Japanese cataloging & acquisition librarian is available in the Northeast Asia Section (Asian & Middle Eastern Division, Acquisitions & Bibliographic Access Directorate) at the Library of Congress. The Northeast Asia Section is responsible for acquiring, processing, and cataloging Japanese-language publications added to the Library’s collections. Follow the link below for full details and instructions on how to apply. The deadline for applications is Sept. 14, 2026.
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/880572900

08/19/2026

Former intern Kat Payne explored the National Air and Space Intelligence Center’s Russian Collection as she worked on cataloging some of these materials during her internship with the Russian Section of the Germanic and Slavic Division. This is an important collection of Soviet-era science and technology-related publications that will soon be available in the general collection at the Library of Congress. Kat shares some of the interesting items she uncovered while working at the Library during summer 2025. Read the full post!

https://blogs.loc.gov/international-collections/2026/08/nasic_collection/

08/18/2026

The Hispanic Reading Room at the Library of Congress is seeking a Caribbean Area Librarian to join the Latin American, Caribbean and European Division.

The Caribbean Area Librarian will work with the Library’s extraordinary collections while providing reference and research services, contributing to collection development, and supporting programs and outreach to researchers and other communities. The position requires strong English and Spanish language skills and knowledge of the history, politics, and literature of the Caribbean. Additional proficiency in French is preferred but not required.

This is an entry-level, permanent position beginning at GS-9, with a career ladder through GS-12. It is a terrific opportunity for someone interested in Caribbean studies, librarianship, collections, and connecting people with the incredible resources of the Library of Congress.

Requirements and application instructions are available on USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/880807200

The position closes August 31st, 2026.

The Library of Congress shares its vast collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, audiovisual materials, and priceless artifacts to cultivate curiosity and spark imagination. We engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge...

08/17/2026

Join us online for a talk by two researchers working on upland areas of Vietnam and Laos! Dr. Nathan Badenoch and Dr. Hồ Thành Tâm will each speak about their unique work on the Central Highlands of Vietnam and Northern Laos, examining orality and writing respectively in each context. This talk will take place on Zoom, August 25, 8:00 pm-9:30 pm EDT. Register here: https://loc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/3617870830296/WN_eKx0_sueRGyz1W1Ea7G3dQ.