Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa Center for the Book has received one of 56 card catalogs brought out of retirement by the Library of Congress and distributed through its Center for the Book affiliate network.

The card catalog has been transformed into a Library of Congress information kiosk to help remind library patrons — especially during National Library Week — that the Library of Congress is a library for all.

The card catalog information kiosk can be found at Feleti Barstow Public Library in Utulei next to the Office of Samoan Affairs. Open Monday – Friday from 9am-4pm and Saturdays from 9am – 2pm. Closed Sundays and Holidays.

“This kiosk is a powerful reminder that the Library of Congress belongs to everyone — including the people of American Samoa. We are honored to bring this resource to our community and invite residents of all ages to explore, discover, and connect with knowledge that spans generations and cultures.” — Justin Maga, Territorial Librarian

Every card catalog kiosk feature signage indicating the card catalog was once in active use at the Library of Congress and explaining its history and original purpose. The front of each drawer includes the name of a Library of Congress service or program. Inside each of the 15 drawers is a card containing a brief description of the featured initiative, along with a QR code leading to the page on the Library’s website that contains more information.

The 15 Library of Congress services and programs highlighted are:

• Affiliate Centers for the Book

• American Folklife Center

• Ask a Librarian

• By The People Transcription Program

• Digital Collections

• Exhibitions

• Free to Use and Reuse Sets

• Law Library of Congress• Library of Congress Blogs

• Literacy Awards

• National Book Festival

• National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled

• Teaching with Primary Sources

• U.S. Copyright Office

• Veterans History Project

“We are very grateful for the Library’s Affiliate Centers for the Book,” said Lee Ann Potter, director of Professional Learning and Outreach Initiatives at the Library of Congress. “Not only does this community of 56 organizations regularly help the Library of Congress promote reading, libraries and literacy across the country, but all of them played an important role in finding fabulous homes for the card catalog kiosks in their states or territories. The responses we are getting from the Affiliate Center directors have been inspiring.”

About Card Catalogs

Card catalogs were a familiar sight to library users beginning in the middle of the 19th century and lasting for decades. Every drawer contained hundreds of individual cards that featured information about each item in a library’s collection. Arranged by title, author and subject, the cards helped people find materials and helped libraries to keep track of their collections.

In the 1970s, the digitization of library catalogs began, and soon the physical card catalogs cases were retired. The Library of Congress catalog – once held in card catalog cases – is now available online at catalog.loc.gov.

About National Library Week

National Library Week was established in 1958 by the American Library Association to encourage, support and promote library use while acknowledging the essential contributions of libraries and staff in strengthening communities.

National Library Week runs April 19 – 25, 2026.

This year’s theme is "Find Your Joy.”

About the American Samoa Center for the Book

Amerika Samoa Humanities Council

The American Samoa Center for the Book promotes books, reading, libraries and literacy throughout the territory as well as American Samoa’s local literary heritage. https://www.facebook.com/ashcouncil.org/

About the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States – and extensive materials from around the world – both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office.

Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.