A researcher using a laptop in the european reading room at the library of congress.
Library of congress reading room access.
The library of congress is the world s largest library offering access to the creative record of the united states and extensive materials from around the world both on site and online.
Photo by michaela mcnichol.
The library is housed in three buildings on capitol hill in washington d c.
It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the united states.
Links are provided to all research centers and reading rooms as well as all services available for public researchers and scholars.
Please use the library of congress ask a librarian form.
The collection may be consulted by any adult engaged in serious research who presents a valid library of congress issued reader card and agrees to adhere to the division s rules for the use of rare materials.
Every day hundreds of books and bound periodical volumes are delivered from the stacks for use in the main reading room.
A separate reading room was established in 1953 for the custody and service of the library s general microform collection.
Even lawmakers spouses can t walk into the congressional.
The main reading room is the principal point for gaining access to the library s general collections of books and bound periodicals.
It also maintains the national audio visual conservation center in culpeper virginia.
The library of congress has actively acquired microforms since the early 1940s.
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.
Thomas jefferson building exhibition spaces selected areas serving special clientele.
The starting point for researchers using the library of congress both on site and remotely via the web.
Every day hundreds of books and bound periodical volumes are delivered from the stacks for use in the main reading room.
Down a corridor inside the library of congress thomas jefferson building a code just for members of congress guards a special room.
In 1972 it was named the microform reading room to indicate the variety of microformats in the collection that now numbers some six million pieces in hundreds of distinct collections.
Access to library of congress reading rooms a valid reader identification card is the minimum requirement for access to the library s public reading rooms.