Library of American Broadcasting

We've had requests to resume this series. While the Committee to Preserve Radio Verifications' collection is enormous, we think we've probably scanned the best of the American broadcasting cards. Should we expand beyond this country? Should we expand beyond the broadcasting spectrum? What are your thoughts?

"Mildred Bailey, women's features editor of WTAG, Worcester, and a culinary expert, furnishes listeners with wartime menu suggestions gained from her own experience. Miss Bailey conducts 'The Modern Kitchen' on WTAG daily from 8:30 to 8:45 am and also edits the 'Afternoon Journal' on the station daily at 3:30 pm."

Mildred Bailey was also Secretary of the Association of Women Directors of the National Association of Broadcasters.

Before Colbert... Before Letterman...

LABF Awards Four Grants to Preserve Broadcast History - Radio World The LABF announced four recipients of its inaugural preservation grants, including the California Historical Radio Society.

The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation is dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of broadcasting and other electronic media, primarily by supporting the Library of American Broadcasting (LAB) at the University of Maryland. For more information on the library: tvradiolibrary.org/about-the-library

Humorist, journalist, and actor Mo Rocca received the 2026 LABF Insight Award, given annually by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation, in partnership with the National Association of Broadcasters, during the recent NAB Show in Las Vegas.

An award-winning correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning since 2011, Rocca is known for blending journalism, history, and humor across a wide range of subjects. He is also the creator and host of the podcast Mobituaries, a bestselling author, and a frequent panelist on Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!. Earlier in his career, he was a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Rocca received the award on the Main Stage as part of the “We Are Broadcasters” program. LABF Co-Chairs Deborah Parenti and Dave “Chachi” Denes made the presentation, saying, “His storytelling continues to inform, engage, and inspire audiences everywhere.”

Now in its fifth year, the Insight Award recognizes individuals whose work enhances the public’s understanding of the role and evolution of media through impactful storytelling.

The NAB Show is the premier global event for media, entertainment, and technology, bringing together industry leaders from around the world - making it a fitting stage to honor Rocca’s contributions to modern storytelling and media.

Photo: Photo: Mo Rocca (center), flanked by LABF Co-Chairs Deborah Parenti and Dave “Chachi” Denes, and members of the LABF board.

P.S. Celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the National Broadcasting Company - Come visit Hornbake Library, where we will have a set of the iconic NBC chimes available to play!

The relatively young National Broadcasting Company was able to establish itself in the world beyond radio thanks to creative and diligent work from staff... Noran Kersta, who worked at NBC in the 1930s and 40s, saved documents that help us understand how television became a part of everyday life in America...

These reports help reveal the role of closely-watched experimentation in the launch of a new medium. As Kersta wrote: “During the first eight months of programming, the watchword has been ‘try everything’.” https://hornbakelibrary.wordpress.com/2025/12/17/eight-months-for-nbc-to-try-everything/

Acclaimed actor, producer, and director Kelsey Grammer will be honored as one of the 2026 Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts, the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (LABF) announced, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry.

Grammer joins an esteemed class of 2026 honorees that includes Debra OConnell, David Donovan, Skip Finley, Jaime Jarrín, Deborah Norville, Jane Pauley, David “Dave” Santrella, and Suzyn Waldman—an accomplished group of leaders whose work has helped shape the broadcasting and electronic arts industries.

The 2026 Giants will be celebrated at a luncheon in New York City on November 17th. https://www.tvradiolibrary.org/giants-2026

We have new featured items in our "Unboxing Innovation in Special Collections" exhibit. Stop by Hornbake Library anytime in April to see artifacts that capture just a few of the myriad stories from the National Broadcasting Company's (NBC) 100-year history.

These items are all from the Library of American Broadcasting collections at the University of Maryland. Read more here: https://hornbakelibrary.wordpress.com/2026/04/01/unboxing-innovation-april-featured-items-happy-birthday-nbc/

Photo: Dave Garroway’s Eyeglasses and Bowtie. Lee Lawrence papers, Box six, item 1 and item 2