A new year means new entries into the public domain. 

From Betty Boop and Nancy Drew to the novel of The Maltese Falcon and Bessie Smith's recording of "St. Louis Blues," January 1, 2026, marked a new milestone for works that have now entered the public domain. 

“Bessie Smith is known as the Empress of the Blues, and having her music available in the public domain makes it easier to share and enjoy,” said Tiffany Gillaspy, music librarian at the Hesburgh Libraries. “St. Louis Blues is a great example of an incredibly prominent chord progression known as 12-bar blues, and while you cannot copyright a chord progression, being able to hear it clearly in a recording like this one helps to clarify it in many other songs that use the same foundational structure.”

The public domain helps institutions such as libraries and museums preserve the historical record. After a copyright expires, works can be restored, digitized, and added to collections and databases for research and teaching.

To celebrate the new works entering the public domain this year, the Hesburgh Libraries is now accepting entries for the 2026 Public Domain Day Music contest. Individuals interested in participating must submit their musical project highlighting some of the new material available in the public domain by Friday, February 6.

In addition to the contest, two events will be held as part of the Hesburgh Libraries Public Domain Day Series. On January 26, visitors are invited to join David Bird, assistant professor of music technology and digital media in the Department of Music, for a hands-on workshop to learn about creative sampling. And on January 28, Gillaspy will speak about music-specific copyright issues, the role of music samples in the conversation, and how to locate music in the public domain.

Through these events, Gillaspy hopes to bring attention not only to the works that are now available in the public domain but also to facilitate the creation of new works inspired by old favorites.

“A creator has rights to their creation for many years and can profit off of them for that period,” she said. “But it is also important for cherished works to enter the public domain and become the property of the culture that kept them alive for so long.”