The DC Traveler

Monument Monday - A Monument to Words

by Jon on January 28th, 2008

While it’s not a monument, it is a monument to words.  I like to think of the Library of Congress as the ultimate main branch library.

With more than 30 million books and one of the most extensive rare book collections, it was established as the congressional library in 1800. Its collections also includes over 5 million maps, a million government publications and more than a million newspapers covering America’s history for the past 300 years.

For the comic book fan, there’s even 6,000 comic books. For the book historian, a copy of the original Gutenberg Bible. And for the music lover, a couple million sound recordings.

It is one noted for its remarkable architectural beauty, art collection and of course, it’s book collection.  You an wander for hours just  looking at all of the statues, windows, columns, mosaics and beautiful architecture.

The original library, when Philadelphia was still the seat of the U.S. government, was started with a $5,000 book appropriation for books that Congress may need.  After the British destroyed the Philadelphia Capitol building and its 3,000 volume library in 1814, former President Thomas Jefferson donated his personal book collection, which took him 50 years to amass.

In 1870, the library, under copyright law, received two copies of every copyrighted work, which  helped build the collection and require additional storage.

The current Library of Congress is actually three large buildings, consisting of the Adams, Jefferson and Madison Buildings.

The Main Reading Room in the Jefferson Building is open to the public (above high school age) but visitors must have a current Reader Identification Card (see details on how to get one below). 

If you are interested in some serious research, attend one of the 90-minute research orientations courses.  

MORE —>

Library of Congress Highlights:

• Reader Registration - Room LM 140, 1st floor - Madison Building
• Visitor’s Center - Ground floor - Jefferson Building
• The Great Hall and Gutenberg Bible - 1st floor - Jefferson Building
• Events, lectures and more - check out the calendar

Library of Congress  
Jefferson Building Visitor’s Center
101 Independence Ave. SE, across the street from the U.S. Capitol, between East Capitol and Independence Ave.
Thomas Jefferson Bldg, LJ 100
Washington, D.C. 20540-4660  (map it)
202-707-3399

Other Buildings -  James Madison Building - 101 Independence Ave. SE,  Between 1st & 2nd Streets, SE  and the John Adams Building - 2nd St., SE, between East Capitol and Independence Ave.

Dates and Times - Daily, except Sundays and holidays. Library hours vary by building, reading room and research center within each building. But most open by 10:00 a.m. weekdays (some at 8:30) and stay open until at least 5:30 p.m.  Saturday hours are generally 10:00 - 5:00, however many of the government offices such as the Patent Office and other reading rooms are closed on Saturdays.  Check the specific library’s hours here.  

The Visitor’s Center is open Opens daily except Sundays and Federal holidays at 8:30 a.m., closes at 9:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 

Admission - Admission is free, but visitors must have a current Reader Identification Card. Cards are good for 2 years.  Cards are free, but must be obtained in advance. Photo ID required.  To register, visit the Reader Registration Station in Room LM 140, on the first floor of the James Madison Building, Independence Ave SE, between 1st & 2nd Streets (near the Independence Ave. entrance). 

Nearest Metro Subway Station - Capitol South - Orange and Blue lines, is across the street from the James Madison Building, or use the DC Circulator.

Parking - Limited metered street parking is available, especially during business hours. Try parking south of the Capitol in the residential neighborhood behind the Supreme Court.

Images - Flickr and personal collection

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