Library of Congress is America’s best library of the research genre, which is presently headed by James H. Billington, the Librarian of Congress. Besides being the senior most federal cultural establishment, the library has gained the position of the national library of America. The library has acquired the reputation of being the largest library on the face of the earth as per the number of books stored and space of the shelfs.
The library capital motive is to research the investigations done by the associates of the Congress with the help of the Congress’s public policy research extension-the Congressional Research Service. The Reader Identification Card is necessary for using the collections and accessing the reading rooms of the library.
Library of Congress Buildings
The hugely built Library of Congress is accommodated in three main buildings seated in Washington’s largest historic residential neighborhood – the Capitol Hill. Besides, the library is housed in the Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation, which is located in the countrified region of Virginia.
In order to facilitate easy access into the library buildings located on the Capitol Hill, the visitors are provided with subsurface pathways. This also helps the visitors to avoid the repetitive security procedures, as they are required to pass through them only once when they enter the library. An off-site depository service is provided for storing those products that are uncommonly demanded.
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Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation
Also commonly identified as the National Audiovisual Conservation Center, the Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation is a remarkable conservation area of the library. Situated in Virginia’s Mount Pony, the center is a modern audio-visual repository facility of the library. Placed at the lower levels of the library, the conservation area is spectacularly lidded with sod roofs. The center was planned to be a green building with marginal visible impaction on the rural part of Virginia.
If observed from the northwest direction, a half rounded terraced passageway can be seen in the hill. This passageway is designed to permit natural light to flow inside the service areas and administrative regions of the center.
Thomas Jefferson Building
Formerly noted as the Library of Congress Building, the Thomas Jefferson Building is the most ancient building among the three library buildings on the Capitol Hill. Set at the First Street SE near the Capitol Street, the building is a fantastic construction that uses the Beaux Arts manner of architecture. The building is famous for its intricately ornamented internal architecture and fashionable facade.
Along with a classy collection of the artifacts of the customarily disciplined painters and carvers belonging to the American Renaissance, the building incorporates some of the valuable public interiors of the American land.
John Adams Building
Settled between the East Capitol Street and Independence Avenue, the John Adams Building was primarily constructed as an annexe for the library’s principal building, that is, the Thomas Jefferson Building. The building was introduced to the viewers on January 3, 1939. The name of the building is kept in honor to the erstwhile President of the United States of America, John Adams.
The President confirmed the law of installing the Library of Congress in 1800. The construction is decorated in Georgia marble along with the adequate use of modern products of those times that include glass tubing, acoustical blocks, vitrolite, and formica.
James Madison Memorial Building
Functioning as an authoritative memorial for renowned President of America, James Madison, the James Madison Memorial Building took five years (from 1971 to 1976) to complete its constriction. It is an important portion of the United States Capitol Complex and proudly stands as one of the three celebrated buildings of the library.
Apart from holding the United States Copyright Office, this excellently built construction accommodates the Law Library of Congress. Moreover, the building has a noteworthy reputation of housing the Mary Pickford Theater. The theater is used to serve the purpose of demonstrating the standard complimentary screenings of the traditional and present-day TV and film programs.
Library of Congress Tours
The tours of the illustrious Library of Congress are quite exciting and mind illuminating that provide significant information in amusive ways. The library offers different tours for different categories of visitors such as professional visitors, group visitors, family visitors, etc.
Professional Tour Program
The professional tour program is very helpful tour for professional visitors from around the globe. The professionals participating in the program generally include information technology experts, library science students, general librarians, and other similar library specialists. It includes a personalized visit that assists in exploring the important features of the library. The visit is usually set up as per the interests and needs of the professionals. The visitors can apply for registration of the program using the world wide web by going through an easy process. The program also facilitates the visitors to send the requests 6 months in advance.
LOC Box Program
The library’s new addition to the tour programs, the LOC Box program is specially designed for students ranging from grade 4 to grade 6. Along with the chaperons and teachers, the students enjoy and explore the various facts of the notable Thomas Jefferson Building. The program requires a minimal of 1 chaperon for every 6 students participating in the tour. Up to 12 to 48 students can be admitted in the program. The program provides a helpful guiding booklet and take-home object known as the Library of Congress Book of Secrets to every individual student included in the tour.
Library of Congress Shop
The far famed Library of Congress Shop stores unparalleled varieties of collectibles such as books, prints, journals, photographs, games, music, jewelry, gift ideas, posters, calenders, stationery, accessories, etc. These collectibles as inspired by the broad collection of the library.
Go and visit this elating complex of buildings, the Library of Congress to advance your knowledge about the federal culture and literature of the United States. Get an exciting experience of the fabulous collection of reading materials along with the charming interiors and architecture of the library.