U.S. Libraries Pay Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Stamford Advocate reports that the Darien (Conn.) Public Library “quickly pulled together books on the monarch to display,” and the paper shared photos of the showcase.
SWARK.TODAY says, “The Hempstead County Library [in Hope, Ark.] … set up a display of books … about Queen Elizabeth II and her late husband Prince Philip in observance of the Queen’s death. Alongside it is another display commemorating the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.”
“Librarians at the Blasco Library [part of Erie County, Pa.’s public library district] have set up two displays celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family,” Erie News Now writes. “The displays are set up near the entrance, and in the children’s section, and feature books, DVDs, and other forms of physical media about the Queen’s life, as well as other members of the Royal Family.”
CBS Boston reports, The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum “is inviting people to sign a condolence book in honor of the late monarch. … The library also shared a gift from the queen to former President John F. Kennedy—a signed photo gifted during the president’s visit to Buckingham Palace in 1961.”
The Library of Congress blogs, “She visited the Library twice and left the staff in awe both times. The lady had presence.” It continues:
Here’s [an] account of [her 1991] visit from the Library’s Information Bulletin:
‘On May 15 the Library rolled out the red carpet. The occasion was a call from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as part of a three-day state visit to Washington. She came … with a party of 17, including her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
As hundreds of onlookers craned their necks, stood on their toes, binoculars at the ready, for even a peek at her majesty from behind a blockade across the street, the official party was greeted at about 1 p.m. … A long, black limousine with the queen arrived at the southwest front of the Jefferson Building driveway …’
The royal party was greeted by then-Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and led up a red carpet to be received by a large delegation of Senators and Congressmen. A high school band played, and a reception included film and entertainment personalities including actors Jane Fonda (with her then-husband Ted Turner), Ben Kingsley and Angela Lansbury, who, with director Martin Scorsese, were in attendance as part of a British film festival co-sponsored by the Library and BAFTA, the British Academy of Film & Television Arts.