Library
Library of Congress
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
Library of Congress is a library in Washington, D.C., United States.
About Library of Congress
Overview
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world and serves as the research arm of the U.S. Congress. Established in 1800, it functions as the de facto national library of the United States, providing objective, non-partisan research to assist Congress in passing legislation. While it is an agency of the legislative branch, it is open to the public for research, though only members of Congress, their staff, and library employees may borrow materials for use outside the library. The institution preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse, and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire, and engage the public in intellectual and creative endeavors.
History & Founding
The Library was founded on April 24, 1800, when President John Adams signed an act of Congress appropriating $5,000 for the purchase of books for the use of Congress. The original collection was housed in the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., but much of it was destroyed when British forces burned the Capitol in August 1814. In response, former President Thomas Jefferson offered to sell his personal library, which contained over 6,000 volumes covering a wide range of subjects, effectively doubling the size of the Library and transforming it from a specialist legislative library into a more general national collection.
Building & Architecture
The main building, originally known as the Main Building and now the Thomas Jefferson Building, was designed in the Beaux-Arts style. Construction began in 1886 and the building opened to the public on November 1, 1897. It features some of the richest public interiors in the United States, including the Great Hall and the Main Reading Room, which is crowned by a central dome decorated with murals. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965 and was renamed to honor Thomas Jefferson in 1980. It houses the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Auditorium, which has hosted over 2,000 concerts since 1925.
Collection Highlights & Notable Holdings
The Library's collections are vast, receiving approximately 22,000 items on an average workday. Notable holdings include the Gutenberg Bible, which is one of the few remaining copies printed on vellum, and the reconstructed library of Thomas Jefferson, which has been on permanent display since 2008. The Library also holds the only known copy of the 1507 Waldseemüller map, the first to use the name 'America.' Under the National Film Preservation Act of 1988, the Library administers the National Film Registry, preserving culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant films.
Significance & Legacy
The Library of Congress is a cornerstone of American intellectual life and legislative function. Its role has expanded from a legislative reference library to a comprehensive national library serving all Americans. The institution has pioneered digital preservation and access, launching the National Digital Library Program in 1994 and making millions of items available online. It also administers the Kluge Prize for lifetime achievement in the humanities and supports the National Book Festival. The Library's growth under Librarian of Congress James H. Billington saw analog collections double and significant private funding raised to support its mission.
Plan your visit
Library of Congress
- Website
- loc.gov