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Letter to the United States Library of Congress

Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20540-4660

Dear Librarian,

I was recently told at a Seventh-day Adventist prophecy seminar that the Library of Congress has selected and currently endorses The Desire of Ages written by Ellen Gould White as the best book on the life of Christ.  

Has the Library of Congress made this endorsement? Does the Library of Congress currently endorse any book as the best book written on the life of Jesus Christ?  

I understand the initial reason for the Seventh-day Adventist church [to make this claim] was a private letter written by Walter Bement, a Library of Congress librarian in 1946.  Could you please clarify the Library of Congress' position on this matter? Do you currently endorse The Desire of Ages, the Holy Bible or any other book as the best book written on the life of Jesus Christ.

Seventh-day Adventists are passing out copies of this book, The Desire of Ages, and stating your endorsement. I am simply checking to see if this is indeed the case.

I am looking forward to your response. Please feel free to call or e-mail me regarding this important matter. I will be happy to share the reason that this is so important to me in future correspondence if necessary.  

Thank you so much!

Ms. "Joyfulheart"*

 

Response from the United States Library of Congress

January 21, 2009

Dear Ms. "Joyfulheart",

The Library of Congress often receives questions concerning the book, The Desire of the Ages, by Ellen G. White. There are claims that the Library of Congress has endorsed it is as best or most profound, or most beautifully written, or sometimes, the most requested book on the life of Christ. These statements are not true. The Library of Congress does not endorse books, nor do we keep records of how many times a book is requested from the stacks. With the advent of the Internet the occurrence of these claims has increased, but these statements remain false.

The letter you mention is often seen on the Internet. It may have been written by an employee of the Library of Congress, but not one who has worked here in any recent memory. Since we do not make statements about one book being preferred or esteemed over another, I can only conclude that this was a letter stating Mr. Bement’s personal feelings.

I hope that this information is helpful.

Cheryl Adams
Reference Specialist, Religion
Main Reading Room
Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20540-4660
cada@loc.gov
202-707-8476

 

Ms. "Joyfulheart" wrote another letter

Ms. "Joyfulheart" emailed to the Library of Congress the following follow up questions to the librarian.

1. What, if anything, have you [Library of Congress] told the Adventist Church?
    
2. If you haven't contacted the Adventist Church, why haven't you?

 

Second response from the United States Library of Congress

January 22, 2009

Dear Ms. "Joyfulheart",

Although I have answered this question many, many times, I'm not sure that we've really known how this information is being spread--whether through some official channel or through individuals, and so I think that the answer is no--we haven't asked the Seventh-day Adventists to stop. We're not sure who to talk with.

If you have a specific example of a central source, I could forward it on to our Director of Communications.

Thanks,

Cheryl Adams
Reference Specialist, Religion
Main Reading Room
Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20540-4660
cada@loc.gov
202-707-8476

 

 

* "Joyfulheart" is a pseudonym

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