Religion commerce history art philosophy poetry law and science.
Library of congress main reading room access.
Eight giant marble columns each support 10 foot high allegorical female figures in plaster representing characteristic features of civilized life and thought.
The washington firm of smithmeyer pelz designed a magnificent building which opened in 1897.
About the main reading room the main reading room is the principal point for gaining access to the library s general collections of books and bound periodicals.
Every day hundreds of books and bound periodical volumes are delivered from the stacks for use in the main reading room.
The catalog s automated call slip service acs offers delivery of materials only to the library s main science and business european hispanic law and performing arts reading rooms.
Its majestic scale domed reading room and vast galleries enriched with sculpture and murals instantly made it washington s most popular building.
The library of congress lc is the research library that officially serves the united states congress and is the de facto national library of the united states.
Library of congress thomas jefferson building washington d c.
And you don t need to be an academic or congressional staffer.
This historic room is through its catalogs the primary entrance into the library s research collections and the principal reading room for work in the humanities and social sciences including local history and genealogy.
The main reading room will be open to the public on the federal memorial day holiday monday may 28 from 10 a m.
Learn more about setting up and using your library of congress patron account.
The reading room is the most beautiful place in washington to work read research or just catch up on e mail.
This includes but is not limited to food water umbrellas coats or jackets scissors newspapers and containers or bags purses larger than 9 5 x 6 25.
A library issued photo id gives you access to the vast circular space where 226 desks spiral under a 160 foot high elaborately painted copper dome.
Every day hundreds of books and bound periodical volumes are delivered from the stacks for use in the main reading room.
View from above showing researcher desks.
It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the united states.
Full list of databases the library subscribes to including trial access.
To use this service you will need to set up your library of congress patron account.
In 1886 congress authorized a new library facility.
The library is housed in three buildings on capitol hill in washington d c.
The library of congress doesn t permit you to enter the reading rooms if you re carrying anything that could be used to steal or damage the collection.