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Engagement opportunities during Library closure

Dear volunteers,

We know that it's an uncertain time for many people as the Coronavirus unfolds. Most public gatherings are being cancelled and schools and businesses are switching to online only activity, where they can. The Library of Congress is taking precautions, too. The Library is closed to the public until April 1 and we're cancelling in-person events such as our planned By the People transcribe-a-thon featuring our newest Campaign--"Herencia: Centuries of Spanish Legal Documents." Thankfully, you can still join in our virtual transcribe-a-thon on Thursday, March 19th. Visit the History Hub discussion forum to learn more. Herencia includes documents in Spanish, Latin, and Catalan touching on everything from the Spanish Inquisition, immigration, marriage disputes, to disease and public health. 

If you can't join us for the virtual transcribe-a-thon, rest assured there's plenty to do any day if you're looking for meaningful indoor activity. With 11 Campaigns consisting of over 47,800 pages awaiting review and more than 14,700 needing transcription, we've got you covered. You can incorporate By the People into your distance learning and teaching, book group or civic group, and share the project with friends and family. Start a buddy system with a friend--ask them to transcribe pages and then serve as their reviewer. It's a great way to share your expertise as a By the People volunteer. 

Women's History Month

We haven't forgotten Women's History Month and hope that the stories of the women and men who fought for the passage of the 19th Amendment will buoy your spirits or at least make you think. By transcribing and reviewing the letters, diaries, day books, accounts, and other papers of leading suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony, Carrie Chapman Catt, and Mary Church Terrell, you'll not only learn a lot, you'll also help other people find these documents more easily in future. Completed transcriptions enable text search that brings people to exactly the page they're looking for and enables those who use screen readers to listen to the pages.

And we still have some remaining pages in Rosa Parks! There are only 111 pages left to review and we can't wait for you to complete them so we can bring the whole Campaign back to loc.gov. 

Take care of yourselves,

Victoria and the By the People team

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