How to Visit the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the country, and houses millions of resources including books, recordings and historical documents. The purpose of the Library is to give Congress and the United States population access to its amazing collection and to guard and protect these resources. The bill to establish the Library of Congress was passed in 1800 when John Adams was president and the capital was being moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. Read on to learn how to visit the Library of Congress.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Prepare to tour the Library that is made up of three different buildings: the Thomas Jefferson Building, the James Madison Building and the John Adams Building.

2. Plan to take a tour. Tours run Monday through Friday and are conducted by volunteers. See the Library website for more information.

3. Stop at the Visitors Center located in the Thomas Jefferson Building. An information desk is there for your assistance. All tours start at this location.

4. Contact the Visitor Services Office if you are visiting in a professional capacity or are considered a special guest, including a member of Congress. A volunteer will assist you. Travelers from more than 50 countries visited the Library last year, along with over one million visitors per year.

Tips & Warnings

• The Library of Congress website currently has several online presentations ranging from American history for kids to information for veterans.
• Access for regular visitors to the reading rooms now requires a Reader Identification card that can be issued with proper identification.