The main reading room is the principal point for gaining access to the library s general collections of books and bound periodicals.
Library of congress reading room access.
Every day hundreds of books and bound periodical volumes are delivered from the stacks for use in the main reading room.
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.
A separate reading room was established in 1953 for the custody and service of the library s general microform collection.
It also maintains the national audio visual conservation center in culpeper virginia.
Links are provided to all research centers and reading rooms as well as all services available for public researchers and scholars.
The library is housed in three buildings on capitol hill in washington d c.
A researcher using a laptop in the european reading room at the library of congress.
Thomas jefferson building exhibition spaces selected areas serving special clientele.
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.
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.
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.
Even lawmakers spouses can t walk into the congressional.
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.
It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the united states.
Some reading rooms have supplemental registration procedures and or conditions of use some reading rooms require researchers to be 18 years of age.
Down a corridor inside the library of congress thomas jefferson building a code just for members of congress guards a special room.
Congressional reading rooms the kluge center and various meeting rooms.
The starting point for researchers using the library of congress both on site and remotely via the web.