Begun in 1943 when Allen Tate was Consultant in Poetry to the Library, the Archive of Recorded Poetry and Literature now contains recordings of over 2,000 poets reading their own work. It includes recordings of poetry readings and other literary events held at the Library, tapes of poets reading their poems in the Library's Recording Laboratory or elsewhere for the Archive, and recordings received through occasional gifts, exchanges, or purchases. Individuals interested in recordings by particular authors may search them in the Library of Congress Online Catalog.
Appointments to listen to audio recordings may be made by visiting the Library's Recorded Sound Reference Center or by telephoning ahead at (202)707-7833. Appointments to view video recordings may be made by visiting the Motion Picture and Television Reading Room or by telephoning ahead at (202)707-8572.
