The Source is a new experiential gallery at the Library of Congress designed especially for and with youth! This active and participatory 4,000 square-foot space welcomes visitors—particularly kids ages 8-15 with their families and school groups—to discover, connect, and make meaning while doing research and exploring digitized and replica materials from the Library’s rich primary source collections.
For more information about The Source, visit The Source Overview page.
The Source is located on the Ground Floor of the Library of Congress inside the Thomas Jefferson Building to the immediate right of the Main Entrance.
In The Source, young visitors can learn what it means to be a researcher at the Library of Congress by exploring an interactive card catalog of Library items, hearing from and talking with Library of Congress staff, and investigating primary sources from image, film, text and sound collections. The goal of The Source is to grow and empower budding researchers as youth “dig deep” into Library primary sources in fun, age-appropriate ways.
When you arrive, pick up a free Source Guide to start your visit. This self-guided experience allows children and families to engage in personalized creative research journeys as they dive into hundreds of objects and stories in the gallery.
At scheduled times, visitors can participate in staff and volunteer-facilitated Source Spotlight demonstrations that highlight objects, themes, and topics found in The Source. Visit The Source to see our daily Spotlight schedule for times and topics.
During the school year, The Source is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During Washington, D.C. school breaks, including summer, The Source is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Refer to the Library of Congress Visit page for holiday hours or Library closures.
Schools and community groups can participate in a facilitated (staff or volunteer led) or self-guided workshop in The Source during the school year by requesting a reservation in advance for an available time slot Tuesday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. During the summer, schools and community groups can participate in a self-guided workshop by requesting a reservation for an available time slot Tuesday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Learn more about school and community group reservations on our Booking Field Trips page.
See offerings for homeschool groups on our Homeschools page.
For visits outside of these workshop hours, groups may request a free timed-entry ticket to the Library of Congress and visit The Source during public open hours. The number of people allowed in The Source is capped at the fire code limit. Depending on the size of your group and the number of people already in the space when you arrive, you may be asked to break your group into smaller groups or wait for entry.
Learn about group visits on the Group Reservations page.
The Source is free and doesn’t require a reservation to visit during our public hours, but a free timed-entry ticket to enter the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building is required for every visitor. A timed-entry ticket grants access to The Source, Library exhibitions, and the rest of the public offerings in the Jefferson Building. Follow the instructions on the Visiting the Library page to reserve your timed-entry ticket to the Library. Once you enter the building you can explore The Source at any time during Source public hours. The Source has a maximum size capacity. During busy times, you may be asked to wait to enter The Source for everyone’s safety and comfort.
While The Source is designed especially for children ages 8–15 and their families or school groups, younger children and older teens will also enjoy Source activities. Library of Congress policy requires that children under 16 years old are accompanied by an adult throughout their visit.
No. The Source is not a drop-off space. Library of Congress policy requires that children under 16 years old are accompanied by an adult throughout their visit.
We recommend family groups plan on spending 30-45 minutes exploring collections and engaging with activities in the gallery. The Source invites visitors to learn more about the Library, interact with hundreds of digitized and replica objects, and explore the work of researchers and librarians as well as follow their own research journeys.
The Source contains hundreds of digitized and replica objects from Library of Congress collections. Some of these items and displays have sound components; others have both sound and video elements. The space may get crowded during public hours. Ask staff to check out a sensory-friendly bag containing noise-cancelling headphones, fidgets and other items for visitors who’d like additional support. This bag can be used for the duration of your visit to spaces throughout the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress.
Yes. The Source is designed to accommodate people of all abilities. Mobility devices including wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, and scooters are welcome in the space. These items can also be stored at the complimentary coat check across the hall from The Source. Free wheelchairs are available for use during your visit to the Jefferson Building on a first come, first served basis at the Information Desks on the Ground Floor. See general information about accessibility for Library of Congress visitors site.
For questions or ADA accommodation requests at least five business days in advance, please call (202) 707-6024 or email ada@loc.gov.
Sorry, we cannot store any personal property in The Source. There is a coat check station available on the Ground Floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building directly across the hall from The Source. Backpacks, bags, coats, strollers, and other personal items may be checked at no cost for the duration of your visit. Please review the Library of Congress’ prohibited items, including large bags, listed on our know before you go page.
Men’s, women’s, and family restrooms are all located on the Ground Floor immediately outside of The Source. The family restroom has a changing station. A lactation room is also available in the Basement of the Jefferson Building; ask staff at the Information Desk for access to this space.
Like all of the materials in Library of Congress collections, books in The Source are for onsite use only and cannot be checked out. Everyone is welcome to explore the Library’s collections online at loc.gov.
Email the Informal Learning Office at learn@loc.gov.
General visitor information can be found on the visit site. Contact the Visitor Engagement Office at visit@loc.gov or (202) 707-9779.