Spotlight: Library of Congress

Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Travelationship

Jefferson Building, Library of Congress, Washington DC

The Library of Congress Complex

The Jefferson Building:

Upon first entering the building, there is a moment of adjustment as you go from the drab gray stone exterior to the intricately detailed Great Hall. There is so much going on between the marbled floor with brass inlays and the skylights with aluminum plating that it’s hard to know what to look at first. Evidence of the more than 50 artists that contributed to this masterpiece is sprinkled throughout every inch of the building.

Two grand staircases flank both sides of the Great Hall, each one decorated with putti, which are figures representing occupations or pursuits of contemporary American life of the time. The staircases are each capped off with bronze statues holding a torch of electric light. These are in commemoration of Benjamin Franklyn’s discovery of electricity. You can also find other tributes throughout the Jefferson building of the library. Taking either staircase leads you to the second floor and allows you to take in the marvel of the zodiac floor.

From this point, you will see a smaller staircase taking you even further up, where you will be immediately enchanted by the Mosaic of Minerva greeting you halfway up. Once you pull yourself away from that, continue up the stairs, and you can catch a glimpse of the Main Reading Room. This is one magnificent room. Unfortunately, from this vantage point, you don’t get a chance to truly take in the domed ceiling. Head back down the stairs to begin your exploration of all the library has to offer, or head to the lower level to signup for a tour.

Zodiac in the marble floor of the Great Hall
Zodiac on the marble floor of the Great Hall.
Stained glass ceiling with aluminum plating of the Great Hall
Stained glass ceiling with aluminum plating of the Great Hall.
Grand Staircase with bronze statue of a woman holding an electric torch
Grand Staircase with a bronze statue of a woman holding an electric torch.
Minerva mosaic by Elihu Vedder, Library of Congress
Minerva mosaic by Elihu Vedder.
Reading Room, Jefferson Building, Library of Congress
Reading Room, Jefferson Building, Library of Congress.

The Jefferson Building Reading Room

The Reading Room has an open house twice a year, and that is the only time the public can access it in a tourist-style capacity. The open house allows you to wander around and take photos of the Reading Room and the card catalog. As of 1980, the card catalog is no longer being added, but it has 22 million cards in some 22,000 drawers. As you can guess, all new entries go into the online catalog, which gets about 10,000 items added each working day. It is a beautiful room, and I highly recommend going to the open house. The library also has activities and information booths set up for the event.

Dome, Reading Room, Jefferson Building, Library of Congress
Dome, Reading Room, Jefferson Building, Library of Congress.
Eagle emblem in the chairs of the Reading Room
Eagle emblem in the chairs of the Reading Room.
Card catalog, Library of Congress
Card catalog, Library of Congress
An aisle in the card catalog, Library of Congress
An aisle in the card catalog, Library of Congress
Galileo card from the card catalog, Library of Congress
Galileo card from the card catalog, Library of Congress.

The Jefferson building makes up the bulk of the public face of the Library of Congress, and most of that building is occupied by the Reading Room. The library is not quite set up like your local library branch; it is a research library, and one must obtain a library card before entering the reading room, except for open house days. Once you gain access, it is not for tourist reasons. People are there to study and research, and photos of the facility will not be permitted. Several exhibits are on display in the halls of the Great Hall, including what remains of Thomas Jefferson’s collection of books.

Great Hall, Library of Congress
Great Hall, Library of Congress

Capitol Hill Campus:

Three buildings make up the Capitol Hill campus of the Library of Congress. The Jefferson Building, Adams Building, and Madison Building each contain a different library collection section. Tunnels connect the three buildings as well as the U.S. Capitol Building. There is an additional tunnel to one of the neighboring office buildings, but it is only accessible by staff. Without your library card, you will only be able to visit the Jefferson Building.

History of the Library of Congress:

President John Adams established the Library of Congress on April 24, 1800. Thomas Jefferson played the following key role in the Library’s early formation, signing on January 26, 1802, the first law establishing the structure of the Library of Congress. It also found a presidentially appointed post of Librarian of Congress. The Library of Congress was destroyed in August 1814, when invading British Regulars set fire to several government buildings, including the Capitol, and destroyed the collection of 3,000 volumes.

Within a month, former president Jefferson offered his library as a replacement for the lost volumes. On December 24, 1851, the largest fire in the Library’s history destroyed 35,000 books, about two–thirds of the Library’s 55,000 book collection, including two–thirds of Jefferson’s original transfer. Congress, in 1852 quickly appropriated $168,700 to replace the lost books. By 1990, the Library of Congress became the world’s most extensive library and retains that title today. Interestingly, two-thirds of the books it acquires each year are in languages other than English.

Library of Congress at a Glance:

Getting There: The Jefferson Building is located at 10 First Street, SE, Washington, DC 20540. The Closest Metro stop is “Capitol South” off the Blue\Orange\Silver line trains.

Entry:  Entrance to the Jefferson Building is Free. Tours are highly recommended and on a first-come, first, serve basis, they are also free.

Hours: Monday- Saturday 8:30am-5:00pm. The library is Closed: on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. *The Reading Room is open to the public two days a year. The days vary, but typically, one day in the fall: Veterans Day or Columbus Day, and one day in the winter: MLK Day or Presidents Day; watch the library’s site for the announcement.

More Info: More info about visiting the library is here. Information about obtaining your library card is here.

RECOMMENDABLE: Without a doubt! The building itself is reason enough to go. The staff are amiable and always willing to answer questions.

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