OTR & Library of Congress

Starter of this subject: Dan Bacca
Last post in this subject: 4/26/2001
Messages in this subject: 2

Dan Bacca 4/26/2001
2 replies
I read on another forum that the library of congress has a stockpile of over 1/2 a million otr shows & recordings. As far as I know only a very small percentage of these has ever been released to the general public. I was wondering if anyone knew what the original purpose of this was? Also, what would be the rational to continue witholding the material in this manner? Thanks, Dan
Robert Flood 4/26/2001
1 replies
I remember back a few years ago several New York area radio stations donated their massive collections of Old Time Radio transcriptions to the Library of Congress for the purpose of preservation, catalogueing, and the good of the public. These recordings are somewhat available for scholars but, according to several sources, these materials are under strict copyright rules and may not be duplicated without the expressed written permission of the right's holders. I own several Old Time Radio packages from Radio Spirits that were created, according to the package, using the Library of Congress' transcription material. To me the sound quality is outstanding and in my humble opinion worth the cost.

(But...To be heard, or never to be heard; that is the question... Will most of these programs ever hit the ears of OTR collectors? You will need to ask those in charge of the Library of Congress.)

Dan Bacca 4/27/2001
0 replies
Thanks Robert. I could only hope that "for the good of the public" means eventually making them available in some form.