Friday, February 12, 2021

Unlocking the Library of Congress

By Peggy Thomas

 

With more than 162 million items in 470 different languages, the Library of Congress is a treasure trove of primary sources for nonfiction writers. Although the three main buildings in D.C. are currently closed to the public due to COVID-19 (which stinks because I can’t use my most prized library card) you can still unlock its riches online at www.LOC.gov.

As its name implies, the LOC is home to all Congressional records. See which bills are being debated on the House floor, contact your representatives and search historic records by date. But that is only one part of their collection.

The LOC is so massive it holds the papers of 23 presidents from Washington to Coolidge, and all the public tweets since 2006. It can be overwhelming. But it’s just as easy to find material there as it is at your local library. Here are a few helpful resources and tips for navigating the site.

Let’s start on the home page. Below the banner is your menu. Library Catalog takes you to a search page with a list of specialized catalogs like Primo Central that searches across journal articles and eBook databases. When you’re ready to dig deeper, you’ll want to use the Finding Aids that describe the physical contents of boxes in off-site storage. 


 

Digital Collections are fun to explore. There are dozens of curated subjects such as Cartoon Drawings, Civil War Maps, LGBTQ & Politics, Tibetan Oral History, and Lewis Carroll Scrapbooks. They’re especially helpful when you’re starting your research because they also contain articles with additional links to explore.

The Researchers tab guides you to a list of research centers within the library like Science and Technology or the Main Reading Room (where I want my ashes scattered when I die). These sites tell you what’s new in that department as well as fun facts and featured podcasts.

The tab labeled MORE… takes you to Services and Programs. I love the American Folklife Center. That’s where you’ll find personal narratives recorded by the Veteran’s Project and Storycorp. At the very bottom of the Services page is another interesting resource—the World Digital Library. It has images and manuscripts from dozens of countries. 

At the bottom of the home page is Free to Use and Reuse. This is a collection of seemingly random yet commonly used images that have no copyright restrictions. It’s a go-to if you need a quick photo of Lincoln or a cat. The collection isn’t extensive, but it’s growing.

Speaking of photos, please note that all images in their massive online collection of Photos, Prints, Drawings are not free to use as many people think. An image might be housed at the library but owned by someone else. When you locate a photo, scroll down to Rights Advisory. If it says “No known restrictions on publication” you should be okay, but I always check the rights and access of each item just to be sure.

The search bar at the top of every page allows you to search the entire library or just one format like audio recordings, films or 3D objects. If you want to browse a format like newspapers, for example, choose newspapers and leave the search line blank. With any search you’ll notice related material listed in blue on the left side of the page. Be careful. You can go down a delightful rabbit hole and get caught up in primary sources for days.

Looking for a new project? I suggest subscribing to the library’s blogs for inspiration. There are as many blogs as there are departments and you can choose the ones that interest you. I look forward to their emails every week. I get my dose of trivia with “Today in History,” and keep up to date on their virtual programs, which always feature amazing authors and experts in their fields.

Well, that’s just a small sampling of what you can find at the LOC. I didn’t even mention the National Jukebox, the U.S Copyright Office or the resources for teachers, which I consult for curriculum connections.

The LOC, the largest library in the world, is still growing and adding digital material daily. You can even help by volunteering for By The People, a crowdsourcing campaign to transcribe documents. Then you’ll really feel like a treasure hunter opening a dusty tomb and being the first person to see the gleaming gold inside.

 

ACTIVITY

Explore the Library of Congress as you locate these women’s rights resources.

  • In Free to Use and Reuse, locate a photo of a suffragette in prison. 
  • Search Films to find a conversation on the impact of the women’s movement today.
  • Go to the Digital Collections and look for the Carrie Chapman Catt papers and pages from her diary.
  • Search Audio Recordings and listen to the recording of Dear Delightful Women.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peggy Thomas is the author of dozens of nonfiction books for children, and co-author of Anatomy of Nonfiction: Writing True Stories for Children. With a master’s degree in anthropology, Peggy explores a wide range of subjects blending history and science to create award-winning titles like her most recent book Lincoln Clears a Path (Calkins Creek, 2021). Peggy blogs for the Nonfiction Ninjas and is a proud Nonfiction Chick. Visit her website at www.peggythomaswrites.com.

 

 

ABOUT THE PRIZE

Peggy is giving away a critique of a nonfiction picture book manuscript or the first 10 pages of a larger project.

107 comments:

  1. These was really valuable information for me, Peggy. Thanks so much!

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    1. Your welcome. Glad it was helptful.

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    2. Peggy-I love your book Anatomy of Non-Fiction. It is such an amazing resource that I continue to keep picking up and learning new things. It was used for my children's writing course at UCSD -writing non-fiction for children. I will check out your assignment! Thank you for sharing this!

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  2. I need to utilize this resource more. Thank you for highlighting it, Peggy!

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  3. You really know your stuff! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  4. what an excellent resource
    thanks for the valuable info

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  5. I was on the site yesterday searching and will continue navigating some more today on some of the other tabs you mention. Thank ;you!

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  6. Thank you for the tour! Excellent resource.

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  7. Thanks, Peggy - I was just thinking, this morning, "I ought to go check out LOC." now I feel a bit more prepared.

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  8. I LOVE the LOC - thanks for a great post highlighting the many treasures it holds. Fun Fact: I reconnected with a High School friend a few years ago, found out she was also a librarian and she worked at the LOC!! When I went to visit her she took me on a behind the scenes tour. Very interesting!

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    1. AHHH! I'm so jealous. That must have been awesome.

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  9. I love archives--especially now that so many of their collections are digital. Thanks for the tips on searching LOC.

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  10. Thank you for enlightening us as to another great resource for brainstorming or for research. I am going to need an index for all of these posts so that I can reference them later! So much helpful information. Thank you!

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  11. Wow! I love the LOC! Thank you for taking time to be a guide!

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  12. Peggy, you rock! I own your book and love it. Thanks for added instructions.

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  13. I wanted to add that I will cross my toes and fingers and eyes and arms (you get it) to win a critique from you.

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  15. The perfect opportunity to do great research! Thank you for the topic!

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  16. Good things come in threes.

    - Clarification needed-Anatomy of Nonfiction is your book I own and use.

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    1. Hi,
      Yes, I wrote Anatomy of Nonfiction with my mother. One of my great joys

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  17. Thanks Peggy Thomas your work is amazing and I am grateful for all your tips. Your book, Thomas Jefferson Grows a Nation is a great example of all your hard work! The back matter is stellar.

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    1. That is so nice to hear, Deb. Thanks!

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    2. I am forever learning too and this is extensive and noteworthy! I will purchase this book for my teacher sister in law for her classroom, she will love it.

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  18. Thanks for this Peggy. I have stumbled around the LOC several times and the Free to Use and Reuse will come in very handy!

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  19. I'd first investigated the LOC website last year during NFFest. Thank you for the detailed description and the reminder to revisit it!

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  20. Such a thorough treatment. Visiting is always the highlight of my trips to DC. My family thought I was crazy the first time I dragged them there. Now they talk about it as one of their best memories. Thanks

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  21. Thanks for the tour and writing tips, Peggy. I love your Lincoln book!

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  22. Thanks for the tour and writing tips, Peggy. I love your Lincoln book!

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  24. What an incredible captivating resource! Thanks for sharing all of the fascinating areas to explore!

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  25. I have been intimidated by the Library of Congress. Thank you for the clear instructions on how to navigate this massive treasure trove of information!

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  26. Thank you for this helpful post. It will help pave the way for future research!

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  27. Thank you for unLOCking the LOC for us. Can't wait to "go down a delightful rabbit hole and get caught up in primary sources for days."

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    1. AHHH! why didn't I think of unLOCking??
      Have fun

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  28. The Library of Congress is an amazing resource. Thank you, Peggy, for writing about this tool for writers, educators, students, and curious folks who want to grow and learn.

    Suzy Leopold

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  29. Wow! What a treasure trove of resources. I had no idea these existed online. Thank you for sharing.

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  30. Thanks Peggy for the very organized and detailed explanation of how to use the Library of Congress. I look forward to your book on Abraham Lincoln.

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  31. I really appreciate the way you explained how to access the LOC treasure trove. Thank you, Peggy!

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  32. Peggy, thank you for this post! It's filled with great information and activities!

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  33. Thank you for the wonderful resources!

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  34. Thank you for the deep dive into the LOC. Anatomy of Non-Fiction is a go-to book for me;)

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  35. So so soooo much information at the LOC! I used to live in the DC area, and had the distinct thrill of visiting the LOC before I started writing nonfiction. I wish I stilled lived there, but appreciate that we can do much research online. Thanks for this helpful guide!

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  36. Your welcome, Jilanne. My daughter's in D.C., so I always have 2 excuses to for a road trip.

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  37. Great tips for a website that can be incredibly overwhelming!

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  38. Peggy, thank you for sharing this amazing treasure of information. Terrific resource!

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  39. Thanks so much for all your info here! I've transcribed one document so far for the LOC and that was pretty special, felt a part of history.

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  40. I love this, Peggy. Thanks so much!

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  41. I had no idea there was such a wealth of information, right at my fingertips. I'm going to have a great weekend discovering new pages at the Library of Congress. Thank you for writing this!

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  42. Thank you, Peggy, for this glimpse into that magnificent living monument, and for your guidance through its offerings. Just went on an adventure in there. Oh my! I forgot where I was. Thank you for opening the door.

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  43. Thank you, Peggy, for this glimpse into that magnificent living monument, and for your guidance through its offerings. Just went on an adventure in there. Oh my! I forgot where I was. Thank you for opening the door.

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  44. Wow! I am researching a biography of a women scientist and when I just put her name in I get so much stuff that it is overwhelming and much of it seems irrelevant. WHere can I learn how to do searches that narrow down her information?

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  45. Awesome post filled with so many hints on finding and using primary source material. I'm going to print it out and hang it on my wall. Thank you!!!!!!!

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  46. This is a wonderful recap of the resources talked about during the SCBWI Nonfiction Conference last fall. Thank you, Peggy!

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  47. One point of clarification. The LC's biggest collection of newspapers in Chronicling America (not all held by the LC but a collaboration between the LC and NEH) can't be searched or browsed from the main search bar on loc.gov. You can find it in the online collections or at chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.

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  48. Thank you so much Peggy for the guidance on the many resources the LOC offers online. I enjoyed visiting several years ago while researching my biography of Virginia Hamilton. Such a treat! I appreciate the reference to the blogs...I signed up for several!

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  49. Wow. I was not aware this was available! Thank you for sharing! :)

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  50. This is wonderful!! Thank you for the insights, tips and knowledge about the LOC website. I'm always wondering about where to find primary sources and knew about this place, but this post breaks it down even better. I'm so grateful! (BTW...I have The Anatomy of Non-Fiction book and I think it's an essential resource for non-fiction writers-new to NF or not. It breaks down so many things and is written in the same style as your post, Peggy: clear, friendly and supportive. I'm a lucky writer!)

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  51. Wonderful information, Peggy, thank you!

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  52. I've often disappeared down the rabbit hole while researching primary sources at the LOC--it's invaluable. I'm going to subscribe to a few of its blogs for inspiration--thanks for the tip!

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  53. Thank you very much for this information. The activities were very helpful in learning my way around the Library of Congress website. You can be sure I'll be visiting again!

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  54. I could get lost in these hallowed halls for hours! Thanks, Peggy, for the tour.

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  55. I thought I knew about the LOC resources but you introduced me to so much more. This is my new past time for cold, snowy evenings by the fire!

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  56. I never realized the LOC had so many cool collections. Definitely going to check things out!

    Great post!

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  57. I found the LOC site to be quite informative, easy to locate what I had to research, and especially liked the images of the African American Women Changemakers!

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  58. Excited to have a new resource. Thank you for sharing.

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  59. Thank you for sharing these resources. And you make everything sound so accessible, which helps to make the sites sound easier to navigate.

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  60. Peggy, I so love the LOC, I had my hubs take me there on my 65th birthday! We stayed all day and I have my own library card from there, too. As a former librarian, I appreciate your copyright info re: images. TY.

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  61. Very helpful tips, Peggy--thank you so much! I wish I had visited when I lived in VA.

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  62. Such great information on how to access everything. It is a bit mind blowing to see how much is there.

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  63. Thank you! The LOC is such a treasure trove of primary sources! Their archives are a must go-to for my students who work on their National History Day projects every year. I'd like to recommend the LOC's "Chronicling America" site, too, for accessing newspapers from every state - it's been very helpful in answering my own research questions.

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  64. Thank you for this - you made it much less intimidating!

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  65. I've used it and didn't know of many of its resources. Thanks, Peggy.

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  66. Peggy, thank you for this! It was so helpful to do the activity as well. Thanks heaps!

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  67. Thanks for the reminder! I haven't been on the Library of Congress site in a very long time. And I just subscribed to the library’s blogs!

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  68. Thank you so much for this post. So important for non fiction writers to know where to go for more!

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  69. Great information that helps me feel a bit more at ease in using this site. Thanks. I have bookmarked this post!

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  70. Thank you! I am saving all of this valuable info under a research / resources folder on my computer. Thanks so much!

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  71. Peggy, thanks for a great post. I have to admit that I've always been intimidated by the LOC. I mean, where to start?!? Your suggestion of subscribing to the library’s blogs is a great way to dip my toe in!

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  72. Thank you for this valuable guide on the LOC.

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  73. The research nerd in me is so happy to discover even more "rabbit holes" for my historical fiction writing. I've checked some of these links out, but not all, so I hope to set aside time to do that and see where it takes me!

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  74. Peggy, thanks so much for this really helpful post. And special thanks for your comment that just because a photo is in the LOC collection, it does not mean that it is necessarily free to reuse. I am about to subscribe to some blogs!

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  75. Thank you for this guide - I cannot wait to dive in. The stories I'm working on right now take place overseas -- will have to see how broad this resource is re any European/Scandinavian history. Thanks!

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  76. Thank you very much for the reminder to check the LOC. It's on my bucket list to visit one day. In the meantime, I do enjoy looking around - though it is a bit of a rabbit hole! Thanks.

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  77. Thank you for all advice. This is great!

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  78. I'm on the LOC all the time to catalog books in my library, but now I can't wait to dig in and do some research. I also appreciate the reminder about copyright. It's an ongoing battle to try and teach it to our students. They think because they can access it - it's free! Thank you for the tour and tips!

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  79. Love searching the LOC and the audio recordings are so interesting!

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  80. Peggy,
    the LOC is overwhelming for me but with your help, I may dip my toes in and start searching.
    Sue

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  81. Thank so much for this eye-opener, Peggy. This post is packed with helpful I'll want to revisit more than once.

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  82. This was super informative! Thank you!

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  83. Thank you, Peggy, for the navigating tips to this treasure trove. I had never visited the LOC site until reading your post. Now I will be a regular.

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  84. I can't wait to utilize this guide and dive into the LOC! Thank you.

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  85. Thank you for this very helpful post on navigating the LOC. I'm amazed at all that's available at the LOC, as well as so many other digital resources - definitely makes our job researching so much easier!

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  86. Thank you for this information on navigating the LOC. It will be very useful.

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  87. Helpful research tips for, including the LOC blogs for ideas. Thanks!

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  88. Thank you for detailing the various ways to access the LOC resources!

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  89. Thanks for this wealth of information! I took a lot of notes.

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  90. Very cool resources! Thank you for this post!

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  91. You've unlocked the LOC, given us a taste of all there is to discover. Thanks.

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  92. I've been on the LOC website some, but you gave me so much more to look up. Thanks for sharing, Peggy!

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  93. Thank you for this invaluable and practical post.

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  94. Who would have known?! Thank you, Peggy, for sharing this very valuable resource!

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