NJ Center for the Book Celebrates National Library Week with Library of Congress Card Catalog Kiosk at the NJ State Library

Kiosk is One of 56 Distributed Throughout the U.S. and Territories

The New Jersey Center for the Book has received one of 56 card catalogs brought out of retirement by the Library of Congress and distributed through its Center for the Book affiliate network. The card catalog has been transformed into a Library of Congress information kiosk to help remind library patrons – especially during National Library Week – that the Library of Congress is a library for all. The card catalog information kiosk will be on display for a one-year period beginning April 2026 at the New Jersey State Library, located at 185 West State St., Trenton, NJ, on Level 4. The State Library is open to the public Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

“We are delighted that the New Jersey State Library is hosting the Library of Congress card catalog kiosk,” said Judith Tolchin, Chairperson of the New Jersey Center for the Book. “This unique kiosk brings the history and mission of the Library of Congress to life in a tangible and engaging way. By connecting State Library visitors to the vast resources and services of the Library of Congress, it reinforces the idea that one of the world’s greatest libraries is accessible to everyone, right here in New Jersey.” 

The card catalog kiosk features signage indicating the card catalog was once in active use at the Library of Congress and explaining its history and original purpose. The front of each drawer includes the name of a Library of Congress service or program. Inside each of the 15 drawers is a card containing a brief description of the featured initiative, along with a QR code leading to the page on the Library of Congress website that contains more information.

The 15 Library of Congress services and programs highlighted are:

• Affiliate Centers for the Book
• American Folklife Center
• Ask a Librarian
• By The People Transcription Program
• Digital Collections
• Exhibitions
• Free to Use and Reuse Sets
• Law Library of Congress
• Library of Congress Blogs
• Literacy Awards
• National Book Festival
• National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
• Teaching with Primary Sources
• U.S. Copyright Office
• Veterans History Project

“We are very grateful for the Library’s Affiliate Centers for the Book,” said Lee Ann Potter, director of Professional Learning and Outreach Initiatives at the Library of Congress. “Not only does this community of 56 organizations regularly help the Library of Congress promote reading, libraries, and literacy across the country, but all of them played an important role in finding fabulous homes for the card catalog kiosks in their states or territories. The responses we are getting from the Affiliate Center directors have been inspiring.”