The Library of Congress' National Recording Preservation Board chooses audio selections every year for a national registry. Part public relations stunt, part historical blueprint, the registry aims to cover a variety of genres of works that are culturally, historically or aesthetically important.

Members of the public can nominate selections, which are taken very seriously, said Gene DeAnna, head of the library's recorded sound section. To make a nomination, go to: www.loc.gov/rr/record/nrpb/nrpb-nrr.html.

Among the 25 selections on this year's additions to the national registry, along with part of the preservation board's explanations:

1. Fiorello LaGuardia reading the comics (1945)

Fiorello LaGuardia, the effervescent New York City mayor, regularly took to the radio to communicate directly with the citizens of the city. One of LaGuardia's most recounted acts as mayor was when he read the comics to the children of the city on WNYC radio during the 1945 newspaper delivery strike. He performed animated, dramatic readings, describing the action in the panels, creating different voices and adding excitement with various sound effects.

2. 'My Fair Lady,' original cast recording (1956)

The original cast recording of "My Fair Lady" marks a high point in almost every aspect of the collaborations that produced it. It boasts a magnificent score by lyricist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe -- witty, intelligent, beautiful, and romantic. Brilliantly orchestrated by Robert Russell Bennett and Philip J. Lang, it captures landmark performances by Julie Andrews, Rex Harrison and Stanley Holloway. The album's critical success and popularity with the public were unrivaled at the time.

3. U.S. Marine Band (1963)

In 1963 the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force bands and choruses were engaged (by special permission) to make albums of American music that would be sold to help fund the National Cultural Center. The Marine Band had just returned from an extensive tour of the U.S. and was in prime form. The resulting recording by Herman Diaz Jr., the legendary producer for RCA Victor, is considered by many experts as one of the finest recordings in band history.

4. 'The Sounds of Earth,' disc prepared for the Voyager spacecraft (1977)

Never released to the public, this disc was prepared to aurally introduce our planet to any alien intelligence that might encounter the Voyager spacecraft many millions of years in the future. The disc contains encoded photographs, spoken messages, music and sounds. There are greetings delivered from around the world in 55 languages. The sound essay includes life sounds (EEGs and EKGs), birds, elephants, whales, volcanoes, rain and a baby. The 90 minutes of music features selections from ragas, Navajo Indian chants, Java court instrumental music, Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto No. 2," a Peruvian woman's wedding song, and Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode."

5. 'Thriller,' Michael Jackson (1982)

Michael Jackson's second album with legendary producer Quincy Jones attained stratospheric national and international success. Featuring outstanding performances by Paul McCartney on "The Girl is Mine" and a metallic Eddie Van Halen guitar lead on "Beat It," the album had immeasurable influence on the record industry and subsequent popular music.

6. Ronald Reagan radio broadcasts (1976-1979)

This collection of over 1,000 radio broadcast recordings, the majority penned by Ronald Reagan himself, documents the development of his political vision in the years immediately preceding his election to the White House. Also showcased is Reagan's conversational, folksy rhetorical style, which added measurably to his public appeal.

To see the entire list of recordings added this year, go to www.loc.gov/rr/record/nrpb/nrpb-2007reg.html.