December 7, 1993

Press Contact: Helen Dalrymple (202) 707-1940
Public Contact: Visitor Services Office (202) 707-5458

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Media Advisory: Library of Congress Announces Temporary Closing of Independence Avenue Doors of James Madison Building for Construction

The Independence Avenue doors of the James Madison Memorial Building of the Library of Congress will be closed to all but handicapped users beginning January 10, 1994, to allow for the installation of a second set of doors to provide an "airlock" for the foyer of the building. Construction is expected to take three or four weeks.

The purpose of the construction, which was requested by the Library and is being carried out under the authority of the Architect of the Capitol, is to make the central foyer of the Madison Building warmer in the winter.

The main public entrance for the Madison Building during the temporary construction period will be the southwest doors located at the corner of Second and C Streets S.E., across from the Capitol South Metro station. Handicapped users will continue to enter the Madison Building through the handicapped entrance located on Independence Avenue.

Public hours of the southwest doors will be the same as the current hours for the Independence Avenue doors: from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m Monday-Friday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

A temporary information desk will be located inside the southwest entrance and staffed to assist the public. Signs and maps will direct people around the building from the front (Independence Avenue) door, and through the building once they enter the doors.

For recorded information about the Library's hours of opening, exhibitions, reading rooms, and research advice, visitors/readers should use the following telephone numbers: (202) 707-6400, for hours, location of reading rooms; (202) 707- 6500, for research advice; (202) 707-8000, for information about tours, exhibits, and the gift shop.

The telephone number for the hearing impaired is (202) 707-6200 TTY.

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PR 93-158
12/7/93
ISSN 0731-3527