<$BlogRSDUrl$> Marcus P. Zillman, M.S., A.M.H.A. Author/Speaker/Consultant
Marcus P. Zillman, M.S., A.M.H.A. Author/Speaker/Consultant
Internet Happenings, Events and Sources


Wednesday, March 17, 2004  

Library of Congress and National Library of Brazil Launch Joint Web Site Dedicated to U.S.- Brazil Interactions
http://international.loc.gov/intldl/brhtml/

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and President of the National Library of Brazil Foundation Pedro Correa do Lago have launched a collaborative Web site that explores the historical similarities and contrasts, ethnic diversity and interactions between Brazil and the United States. "The United States and Brazil: Expanding Frontiers, Comparing Cultures," part of the Library of Congress's Global Gateway collaborative digital library initiative [http://international.loc.gov/intldl/find/digital_collaborations.html], includes some 9,800 images from the rare book, manuscript, map, print and photographic collections of the Library of Congress and the National Library of Brazil. The site represents the first phase of a continuing project by the National Library of Brazil and the Library of Congress that is being carried out under a cooperative agreement signed by Billington and Correa a do Lago. The project focuses on five main themes related to the history of Brazil and its interactions with the United States: "Historical Foundations," "Ethnic Diversity," Culture and Literature, "Mutual Impressions" and "Biodiversity. "

Among the items available on the site in digital form are letters by President Thomas Jefferson about Brazil's independence movement, illustrations of 19th century Brazil by the French artist Jean Baptiste Debret, drawings by Maria Graham, Lady Calcott, documents relating to the reigns of the Emperors Pedro I and Pedro II, 18th century maps, and the text of "O Guarani," Brazil's earliest heroic poem. "The United States and Brazil: Expanding Frontiers, Comparing Cultures" is bilingual, in English and Portuguese, and is intended for use in schools and libraries and by the general public in both countries and around the world. The project grew out of a visit to Brazil in 1999 by Librarian of Congress Billington and subsequent discussions between the two libraries about the numerous parallels in the histories of the two largest countries in the Americas. Support for the project was provided by the Vitae Foundation of Sao Paulo, Brazil, directed by José Mindlin, and the Library of Congress.

posted by Marcus Zillman | 4:05 AM
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