Library of American Broadcasting

Library of American Broadcasting. The Library of American Broadcasting is a unique repository of American broadcasting history, located at the University of Maryland. It was founded in 1972 by Frank Stanton, former president of CBS, and Gordon Gray, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. The library's mission is to collect, preserve, and make accessible the history of radio broadcasting, television broadcasting, and other forms of electronic media, including the contributions of pioneers like Guglielmo Marconi, Lee de Forest, and David Sarnoff.

● History

The Library of American Broadcasting was established in 1972, with the goal of documenting the history of American broadcasting. The library's founders, Frank Stanton and Gordon Gray, were instrumental in shaping the collection, which includes materials from NBC, CBS, ABC, and other major broadcast networks. The library has also received significant contributions from notable figures in the industry, including Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, and Mike Wallace. Over the years, the library has grown to include a vast array of materials, including scripts, photographs, and audio recordings, featuring notable personalities like Orson Welles, Jack Benny, and Lucille Ball.

● Collections

The Library of American Broadcasting's collections are diverse and extensive, featuring materials from the early days of radio broadcasting to the present. The library's holdings include scripts from popular television shows like I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, and The Tonight Show, as well as radio broadcasts from The Golden Age of Radio, including The Shadow, The Lone Ranger, and The Jack Benny Program. The library also has an impressive collection of photographs and audio recordings, featuring notable figures like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles. Additionally, the library's collections include materials from cable television networks like HBO, Showtime, and CNN, as well as satellite radio providers like SiriusXM.

● Archives

The Library of American Broadcasting's archives are a treasure trove of broadcasting history, featuring materials from major networks like NBC, CBS, and ABC. The archives include correspondence from notable figures like William S. Paley, David Sarnoff, and Leonard Goldenson, as well as business records from RCA, General Electric, and other major corporations. The library's archives also feature scripts and storyboards from popular television shows like Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, and The Simpsons, as well as radio broadcasts from The Mercury Theatre on the Air, featuring Orson Welles and John Houseman. Furthermore, the archives include materials from news organizations like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and BBC News.

● Exhibitions

The Library of American Broadcasting has hosted numerous exhibitions over the years, showcasing the history of American broadcasting. Recent exhibitions have featured the contributions of women in broadcasting, including Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore, and Oprah Winfrey, as well as the history of minority broadcasting, featuring stations like WBLS and WLIB. The library has also hosted exhibitions on the history of cable television, featuring networks like ESPN, MTV, and VH1, as well as the impact of new media on the broadcasting industry, including social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Additionally, the library has partnered with organizations like The Smithsonian Institution and The National Archives to host exhibitions on the history of American media.

● Education_and_Research

The Library of American Broadcasting is a valuable resource for researchers and students of broadcasting history. The library offers a range of research services, including access to its extensive collections and archives, as well as guidance from experienced librarians and archivists. The library also hosts seminars and workshops on topics like broadcasting history, media studies, and communications research, featuring notable scholars like Marshall McLuhan, Neil Postman, and Jean Baudrillard. Furthermore, the library has partnered with universities like University of Southern California, New York University, and University of Texas at Austin to offer courses and degree programs in broadcasting and media studies.

● Notable_Holdings

The Library of American Broadcasting has a number of notable holdings, including the personal papers of Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, and Mike Wallace. The library also has an extensive collection of scripts from popular television shows like I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, and The Tonight Show, as well as radio broadcasts from The Golden Age of Radio, including The Shadow, The Lone Ranger, and The Jack Benny Program. Additionally, the library has a significant collection of photographs and audio recordings, featuring notable figures like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles, as well as interviews with industry leaders like Ted Turner, Rupert Murdoch, and Sumner Redstone. The library's notable holdings also include materials from award shows like the Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, and Oscar Awards, as well as festivals like Sundance Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival.