Meet Jason Steinhauer. Jason works as the program specialist for the Library of Congress’ John W. Kluge Center, which brings scholars and researchers from around the world to use the Library’s collections. In his role as program specialist, Steinhauer is tasked with managing programs and communications, in order to connect the work of scholars to policymakers and the public. Jason, a New York native, moved to Washington, D.C. four years ago.
Morning: I’m not a morning person! For that reason, I have a routine that helps me get out of bed, wake up and start the day right. My whiteboard reminds me what I want to accomplish, as well as some words of wisdom that help remind me to keep a positive attitude. I once read that attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure. I prefer each day to be an adventure.
My whiteboard
I’m up around 7 a.m. and out the door by 8, arriving at work between 8:30 and 9. Doing yoga or an ab workout in the morning helps my body wake up, and I read The New Yorker on the Metro to wake up my brain. Walking up Capitol Hill to the Library of Congress wakes up my soul. Seeing the façade of the Jefferson Building each morning reminds me how lucky I am to contribute to the world’s largest repository of knowledge.
Entrance to the Library of Congress
Midday: I manage communications and programs for The John W. Kluge Center, which is the scholars’ center within the Library of Congress. We bring scholars from around the world to the Library to use our collections, and they are working on dozens of different topics. Today my first priority is to get the word out about our upcoming lecture on morality and politics. This is our Annual Maguire Address, delivered this year by Dr. Robin Lovin. It’s an important intellectual occasion for us each year.
That done, I switch gears to prepare for our noontime talk on Coca-Cola advertising and cultural revolutions of the 1960s. I introduce the noontime lectures, so I have to write my introduction (last minute!) and then go over final details with the scholar and film crew. It turns out to be a popular topic! It’s standing-room-only to hear our scholar, Amanda Ciafone, a media and cultural historian from the University of Illinois. Her research has examined how Coke responded to changing conditions of the 1960s at home and abroad, particularly in developing countries where its bottlers had been established.
Kluge Fellow Amanda Ciafone delivers her lecture on Coca Cola Advertisements and Cultural Revolutions of the 1960s at the Library of Congress
Once the talk ends, I head to lunch with our two astrobiology scholars in residence, Dr. David Grinspoon and Dr. Steven Dick. We’re planning a public dialogue between the two scholars to discuss what the consequences of astrobiology (the study of life in the universe) are for humanity and society. If we find microbial or intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, how would that change our perceptions of ourselves and life on this planet? Both men have thought about this topic extensively, and we brainstorm how to frame the conversation for the public over lunch in the Library cafeteria. Then it’s back to my office, where the remainder of the day is spent building more programming and doing more thinking on some strategic and programmatic issues.
Astrobiologists Dr. David Grinspoon (left) and Dr. Steven Dick (right), both scholars-in-residence at The John W. Kluge Center
We’d planned to go to The Board Room after work for drinks and games, but it turned out to be too crowded. So, we hopped next door to Black Fox Lounge, where we had seats at the bar, delicious spinach salad and hummus, and excellent live jazz. Sipping a drink, listening to music and watching the world go by was a perfect way to end the day. As the band’s first set came to a close, we paid our bill and took an Uber home.
Live jazz at Black Fox Lounge in Dupont Circle
