February 16, 1999 Library of Congress Offers Spanish-Language Tours

The Library of Congress is pleased to announce that for the first time in its history, docent-led Spanish-language tours of the Thomas Jefferson Building will be regularly scheduled for the general public.

The expansion of the Library's tour program has been made possible over the last four years with the assistance of professionally trained volunteer docents. This year's graduating docent class included five native Spanish speakers, who will conduct Library tours in Spanish on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. No tickets or prior reservations are required except for a group of more than 10 people. In that case, call the Visitor Services Office at (202) 707-4684.

Library tours last for approximately one hour and include the history of the Library and the Thomas Jefferson Building, the art and architecture of the Jefferson Building, including a view of the Main Reading Room from the Visitors' Gallery, and a discussion of the scope of the collections of the world's largest library.

Many of the Library's volunteer docents have capability in other languages. Whenever possible, the Visitor Services Office will try to accommodate requests submitted in advance for tours for non- English speaking visitors in their own language.

Public tours of the Library (in English) are conducted daily at 11:30 a.m., and 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. All tours start in the Visitors' Center of the Thomas Jefferson Building, located at First Street and Independence Avenue S.E. The Library is closed on Sundays and federal holidays.

For English language tours only, interpreting services (American Sign Language, Contact signing, Oral and/or Tactile) will be provided if requested five business days in advance of the event. Call (202) 707-6362 TTY and voice to make a specific request. For other ADA accommodations, contact the Disability Employment Office at (202) 707-9948 TTY and (202) 707-7544 voice.

Call (202) 707-5277 for further details on how to arrange tours or to learn more about becoming a volunteer docent at the Library of Congress.