Its majestic scale domed reading room and vast galleries enriched with sculpture and murals instantly made it washington s most popular building.
Library of congress main reading room access.
The main reading room will be open to the public on the federal memorial day holiday monday may 28 from 10 a m.
To use this service you will need to set up your library of congress patron account.
Library of congress thomas jefferson building washington d c.
Eight giant marble columns each support 10 foot high allegorical female figures in plaster representing characteristic features of civilized life and thought.
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.
Every day hundreds of books and bound periodical volumes are delivered from the stacks for use in the main reading room.
The library is housed in three buildings on capitol hill in washington d c.
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.
It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the united states.
View from above showing researcher desks.
The washington firm of smithmeyer pelz designed a magnificent building which opened in 1897.
Religion commerce history art philosophy poetry law and science.
It also maintains the national audio visual conservation center in culpeper virginia.
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.
Main reading room open house on memorial day twice each year the library of congress opens its magnificent main reading room to share information about how the public can access the library s resources year round.
Learn more about setting up and using your library of congress patron account.
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.
And you don t need to be an academic or congressional staffer.
Every day hundreds of books and bound periodical volumes are delivered from the stacks for use in the main reading room.
In 1886 congress authorized a new library facility.
The reading room is the most beautiful place in washington to work read research or just catch up on e mail.
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.
Full list of databases the library subscribes to including trial access.