Thread
come along with me as i walk through my week at the library as a scholar in residence at the library of congress (@librarycongress). 
my two year residency is focused on tenderness in black film. though a large portion of my research is offsite, weeks i’m at the library — like this one — are focused on using LOC’s resources to answer my research question.
learn more about my work here: blogs.loc.gov/ofthepeople/2022/05/meet-the-inaugural-connecting-communities-digital-initiative-grant-...
learn more about my work here: blogs.loc.gov/ofthepeople/2022/05/meet-the-inaugural-connecting-communities-digital-initiative-grant-...
building scholarship in tenderness — the lens through which i see the world — is crucial. in the library of congress magazine's july/august issue, i wrote a little bit about why that is. www.loc.gov/lcm/pdf/LCM_2022_0708.pdf 
all good research weeks start with books. my paths of curiosity are sharpened by others inquiries and recorded research. a good researcher doesn’t assume they are the first to ask a question, but seeks for answers in the archive. 🌀🌀🌀🌀
today’s sparks of joy:
today’s sparks of joy:
there is a very sacred bond between librarians & researchers. the LOC research librarians have taken my paths of curiosity and pointed me to tools (films, books, imagery) to help transform my curiosity to scholarship for others to take root in. i am very thankful.
and just like that… it’s day two!
my term began ~6 months ago. i have two major projects i’m working on for my two year residency: an annotated filmography on tenderness in black film and directing, producing, and editing a short film on tenderness in black film.
my term began ~6 months ago. i have two major projects i’m working on for my two year residency: an annotated filmography on tenderness in black film and directing, producing, and editing a short film on tenderness in black film.
today was a great day spent watching 4 movies.
here’s a research librarian loading a short 16mm film from 1909 for me to view. in my ideal world, i’d have this at home.
here’s a research librarian loading a short 16mm film from 1909 for me to view. in my ideal world, i’d have this at home.
in order for the filmography i’m building to be as thorough as possible, i want to look through every relevant film record LOC offers … even outdated ones.
today, i had fun looking through old catalog film cards for my research. these cards are from the 1960s.
today, i had fun looking through old catalog film cards for my research. these cards are from the 1960s.
day three begins with sorting through the madness of the library’s vast subject files—files gather print materials across time.
this massive file on (general) black life began in the 1970s.
here’s what i’m reading this morning.
this massive file on (general) black life began in the 1970s.
here’s what i’m reading this morning.
there is a history of black film that can only be gleaned from film festival program notes. today i sat with program booklets, in awe of the films were never distributed or gained notoriety.
+this interview with kathleen republished in this booklet as an essay (also online!)
+this interview with kathleen republished in this booklet as an essay (also online!)
day four begins as day three did: with reading materials impossible to find collected together elsewhere.
i finished one book and watched 7 movies. todays goal is to finish another book and watch 6 more films.🌀
struck by how many films can be presumed missing not just OOP.
i finished one book and watched 7 movies. todays goal is to finish another book and watch 6 more films.🌀
struck by how many films can be presumed missing not just OOP.
first film of the day is a newly digitized race film. 💕 
the creation of any movie is a miracle. to see a movie on film from 50+ years ago feels as close as i will get to walking on water.
thank you to the research librarian that loaded this print for me to view. twitter.com/i/web/status/1593322792820375552
thank you to the research librarian that loaded this print for me to view. twitter.com/i/web/status/1593322792820375552
day five 🥲
i’ll talk a bit about how i’m organizing my research notes today. ask me anything about my residency at the library and my research here: ngl.link/mayasymonecade
i’ll talk a bit about how i’m organizing my research notes today. ask me anything about my residency at the library and my research here: ngl.link/mayasymonecade
so what does this research amount to?
1. my first library deliverable is compiling an annotated filmography. my research notes from film-watching look a bit like this.
the notes (esp timecodes) also support the short film i am directing (see above) so i want to be thorough.
1. my first library deliverable is compiling an annotated filmography. my research notes from film-watching look a bit like this.
the notes (esp timecodes) also support the short film i am directing (see above) so i want to be thorough.
2. for physical things i have scanned to myself or have taken a photo of, i am taking this morning— while i am on site— to organize what i've seen & fill gaps if need be.
for example, this article i read on black stars would be sorted in a folder w/ other things on stardom.
for example, this article i read on black stars would be sorted in a folder w/ other things on stardom.
this entire week i've been asking the research librarians "do you have this ~underseen~ black film" and the answer has mostly been a gleeful yes.
currently watching a 1930s film about black artists.
currently watching a 1930s film about black artists.
ooh- that does happen.
i often try to read something new when it does and think about what i can do w/ what does exist & not see that as limiting.
sharing my curiosities w/ librarians has also sharpened my research. when i feel lost they've shown me a new way or resource.
i often try to read something new when it does and think about what i can do w/ what does exist & not see that as limiting.
sharing my curiosities w/ librarians has also sharpened my research. when i feel lost they've shown me a new way or resource.
rounding out my time with falling in love with vintage film fliers. ✨
the one on the left is aimed towards theater owners and film programmers, hoping to persuade them to rent or purchase a print of the film. the right, video rentals aimed to non-theatrical exhibitions.
the one on the left is aimed towards theater owners and film programmers, hoping to persuade them to rent or purchase a print of the film. the right, video rentals aimed to non-theatrical exhibitions.
…and that’s the week! you don’t have to be involved with the library to research. film research appointments are optional but preferred: www.loc.gov/rr/mopic/
i want to thank the moving image research librarians (@LOC_AV)
for supporting my research this week and always. 🫶
i want to thank the moving image research librarians (@LOC_AV)
for supporting my research this week and always. 🫶
and thank you all for following along 💫 
