RELEASE: Blast from the past with historic Library of Congress card catalog display at New Mexico State Library
Card catalog display is one of 56 distributed courtesy of the Library of Congress and launched during National Library Week.
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April 23, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT Christina Claassen 505-946-7149 christina.claassen@dca.nm.gov
SANTA FE, NM – A unique interactive display featuring a historic Library of Congress card catalog has opened at the New Mexico State Library (NMSL) in Santa Fe during National Library Week, celebrated April 19 – 26. The catalog is the gateway to the Library of Congress, which holds more than 170 million items, including books, manuscripts, sound recordings, photographs, maps, and films in more than 400 languages.
The display is one of only 56 in the country, and was created from the original card catalog cases once used at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Physical card catalogs largely died out in the 1980s following the shift to computer systems, and this project breathes new life into the historic furniture by transforming it into an interactive information hub.
The display features 15 individual drawers, each highlighting a different program or service offered by the Library of Congress. By opening a drawer, visitors can find cards with brief descriptions and QR codes that link directly to expanded digital resources on the Library of Congress website.
“It brings both professional and personal delight to the librarians and staff at the New Mexico State Library to receive a piece of the Library of Congress’ historic card catalog,” said Katherine Miles, NMSL Public Services Bureau Chief and Coordinator for the NM Center for the Book. “The Library of Congress stands as the foundation for the library systems in our nation, and these physical card catalogs represent a tangible, cherished piece of library history.”
The card catalog includes an informational panel detailing the history of the original catalog system, which was arranged by author, title, and subject. Visitors can explore the display during the State Library's regular business hours.
Location: 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, NM 87507 Hours: Monday–Friday, 1 – 5 p.m.
About New Mexico State Library New Mexico State Library (NMSL), a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, provides services that support public libraries, as well as direct library services to rural populations, state agencies, the visually impaired and physically disabled, and students and citizens conducting research. Since 1996, NMSL has administered the Center for the Book affiliate in New Mexico, promoting literacy statewide and the state’s rich literary heritage nationally. For more information visit nmstatelibrary.org .
About the Library of Congress The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States, and extensive materials from around the…