Library of Congress International Collections

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.

08/05/2026

Ever wonder how a lightweight fabric from India became the ultimate uniform for Southern summers? To mark one of the final Seersucker Thursdays of 2026, Dr. Giorgio Riello and Dr. Prasannan Parthasarathi will come together for a conversation about the historical trade of the famous cloth, from its place of origin in India, to the American South, where it has become a part of the Southern dress code. This virtual talk will take place on Zoom, August 13, 3:00PM-4:30PM. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3dw3wrbw.

08/04/2026

Library of Congress Intern Thomas Kingsley wrote about his time visiting Skopje ten years ago and how this experience came full circle when working with election ephemera from North Macedonia published during that same period as part of his internship this summer. Click through to read more and see some amazing photos of the “Colorful Revolution.”

https://blogs.loc.gov/international-collections/2026/08/election-ephemera-north-macedonia/

07/30/2026

The Latin American, Caribbean and European Division of the Library of Congress has a position as Head, European Reading Room. The job posting will close August 13. https://www.usajobs.gov/job/878513000 provides more information and is where interested persons can apply for the position.

The head of the European Reading Room supervises nine area specialist librarians and one technician. The incumbent leads the reference librarians in providing services to patrons in the European Reading Room and to others who contact the reading room online. They oversee work the librarians do to build the Library’s collections and create and publish authoritative research guides and other materials online as well as other projects and duties as assigned. The head of the European Reading Room is also responsible for management of the reading room’s custodial collection materials, including Slavic and Baltic periodicals and newspapers and miscellaneous ephemera collections.

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...