Overview of the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress in Washington, DC, is the world’s largest library, featuring over 128 million items including books, manuscripts, films, photographs, sheet music, and maps. As an essential part of the legislative branch of government, it includes various internal divisions, such as the Office of the Librarian and the Congressional Research Service.

The Library is open to the public, offering exhibitions, interactive displays, concerts, films, lectures, and special events. The Thomas Jefferson Building, renowned for its architectural beauty, is highly recommended for guided tours. Research access requires visitors to be at least 16 years of age and obtain a Reader Identification Card in the Madison Building.

Location Details

The Library of Congress comprises three buildings situated on Capitol Hill. The Thomas Jefferson Building is located at 10 First St. S.E., directly opposite the U.S. Capitol. The John Adams Building lies to the east of Jefferson on Second St. S.E., while the James Madison Memorial Building is situated at 101 Independence Ave. S.E., just south of Jefferson. Additionally, there is a tunnel connecting the Library of Congress to the Capitol Visitor Center. The nearest metro station is Capitol South.

Experience at the Library

The “Library of Congress Experience” was inaugurated in 2008. It showcases ongoing exhibitions and numerous interactive kiosks that elevate historical and cultural treasures. This experience features the “Exploring the Early Americas” exhibition, detailing the Americas prior to Columbus, along with various artifacts from the Library’s Jay I. Kislak Collection, including Martin Waldseemüller’s 1507 Map of the World, which is notable for being the first document to reference the term “America.” All exhibits are free and accessible to the public.

Concerts Offered

Concerts are primarily held at 8 p.m. in the Coolidge Auditorium within the Jefferson Building. Tickets can be acquired via TicketMaster.com, where various service charges apply. Although tickets may be limited, many empty seats can often be found at concert time. Patrons are encouraged to arrive by 6:30 p.m. on concert evenings and wait in the standby line for any unclaimed tickets. Furthermore, pre-concert presentations occur at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion without requiring tickets.

Historical Background

The Library of Congress was established in 1800, originally housed within the U.S. Capitol Building on the National Mall. Tragically, it faced destruction during a fire in 1814. Fortunately, Thomas Jefferson generously offered his personal book collection to rebuild it, and Congress subsequently agreed to purchase these books in 1897, marking the establishment of its present location on Capitol Hill. The Jefferson Building honors this act of generosity. Today, the Library has expanded to include the John Adams and James Madison Buildings to accommodate its ever-growing collection, commemorating the commitment of these presidents to enhance the Library.

Gift Shop Highlights

Distinctive gift items can be found at the Library of Congress online shop. The shop features a variety of products, such as calendars, clothing, games, crafts, toys, jewelry, music, posters, and much more. Importantly, all proceeds support the Library of Congress. For additional details, visit their official website.