For historical perspective about the Library of Congress and the development of its international collections, the Center for the Book suggests the following:
- Bruno, Leonard C. The Tradition of Science: Landmarks of Western Science in the Collections of the Library of Congress. Washington: Library of Congress, 1987.
- Bruno, Leonard C. The Tradition of Technology: Landmarks of Western Technology in the Collections of the Library of Congress. Washington: Library of Congress, 1995.
- Campbell, Joseph. Myths to Live By. New York: Viking, 1972.
- Cole, John Y. Jefferson's Legacy: A Brief History of the Library of Congress. Washington : Library of Congress, 1993.
- Conaway, James. America's Library: The Story of the Library of Congress 1800-2000. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2000.
- Goodrum, Charles A. Treasures of the Library of Congress. Rev. ed. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1991.
- Hamilton., Virginia. In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1988.
- Library of Congress African and Middle Eastern Collections: An Illustrated Guide. Washington: Library of Congress, 2001.
- Library of Congress Asian Collections: An Illustrated Guide. Washington: Library of Congress, 2000.
- Library of Congress European Collections: An Illustrated Guide. Washington: Library of Congress, 1995.
- Library of Congress Hispanic and Portuguese Collections: An Illustrated Guide. Washington, : Library of Congress, 1996.
- Library of Congress Rare Book and Special Collections: An Illustrated Guide. Washington : Library of Congress, 1992.