Using the Reading Room
The Main Reading Room is open to anyone sixteen or older. All researchers must have a Library-issued Reader Identification Card to use our collections.
You can obtain a Reader ID card, or renew an expired card, through one of the Library's Reader Registration Stations. The Library's two Reader Registration Stations are located in the Madison Building, Room LM 133 (in the Newspaper & Current Periodicals & Newspaper Reading Room) and the Jefferson Building, Room LJ 139 (in the Microform and Electronic Resources Center). The stations are open during Reading Room hours and close a half hour before the Reading Room closes. For additional information on how to obtain or renew a Reader ID card, including eligibility requirements, visit our Reader Registration page. Children without a readers card must be escorted into the reading rooms by an adult who has authorized entry.
If you are obtaining a new Reader ID card, you should complete a Reader ID card pre-registration form in advance of your visit.
Tips for first-time researchers
- Cloakroom Locations
- Getting Started with Library of Congress Research Tutorials
- FAQ: Are there restrictions on bringing personal belongings into the Library?
- FAQ: Can I print documents in the Library's reading rooms?
- FAQ: Is wireless access available in the Library's public areas?
- FAQ: Does the Library have a list of freelance researchers for hire?
Using and Requesting Materials
Books from the general collections can be retrieved and used in the Main Reading Room. Once registered, readers may request books via the online catalog using their individual account numbers.
The Collections Services Section staff, the Microform Desk in the MERC, and Book Services in the Main Reading Room are responsible for maintaining the collection and retrieving/serving materials for researchers. All collections are stored in closed stacks areas which are only accessible to staff and help ensure the safety and security of the Library's collections. After you’ve identified and requested the materials you’d like to use during your visit, we will hold the items for pick up or deliver them to your seat.
Retrieval Times:
- On-site (same building): 45 minutes to 1 hour
- On-site (building to building): up-to 2 hours
- Physical Directories: 2 to 3 hours
- Off-site: 24 to 48 business hours (no retrieval over the weekend)
- Microfilm & Microfiche: 30 minutes
- MRC (Books with CDs), CD-ROMs, and Computer Files: 24 hours
- Electronic components must be checked for accessibility before use can be granted.
Advanced Reserves
Researchers who have not yet obtained a reader card may request that materials from the general collections be retrieved in advance of their visit. Readers should first identify needed materials by searching the Library's online catalog. Advance reserve requests may then be submitted via Ask A Librarian. Eligible advanced reserves materials will list “Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms” under the Item Availability section of the catalog record. When submitting your request, be sure to specify the author, title, call number of each item, and the date of your intended visit. It is recommended that researchers traveling to Washington D.C. from within the U.S. submit advance reserve requests at least one week prior to their arrival; researchers coming from outside the U.S. should submit their requests at least two weeks in advance. Advance Reserve requests are held for 15 business days following the researchers intended visit date.
The Library also offers a special advance retrieval service for any researcher needing to review a large number of volumes from the general collections (for example, dozens of books on a single topic, or the entire run of a particular journal or magazine). Researchers should submit such requests via Ask A Librarian.
Holding Items for Future Use - 7 day Reserve
After materials are returned from use in the reading rooms, it can take up to one week before they are re-shelved and ready for retrieval again. However, researchers may hold up to ten books for seven days in designated Seven-Day Reserve areas. Such areas are located in the Main Reading Room and on the fifth floor of the Adams Building. Each seven-day reserve slip must be completed with the researcher's name and the date of the first day of reserve. A new seven-day reserve slip must be completed and placed in each book before they are placed back on reserve.
Study Shelves
To facilitate serious and extended research, the Library has available a limited number of individual shelves in the Jefferson and Adams buildings where books may be charged for long term use. Shelf holders must use the reading rooms and their books at least once a week. To be assigned a shelf, researchers must apply in person in the Main Reading Room. Book deliveries are made to research facility shelves at regular intervals. A very small number of assigned desks are also available in the Adams building.
FAQs
Access and Equipment for People with Disabilities
A variety of assistive technology is available to researchers on all of the Library's public access computers in the form of built-in basic accessibility packages (basic voice output; basic screen magnification) and ZoomText screen magnification software for persons with visual impairments. Additionally, the majority of the third-party subscription databases the Library provides access to, offer a number of their own built in accessibility tools, including: text-to-speech, transcriptions and captions, ARIA landmarks, alternate text, keyboard access navigation, EUB formats, and more. The Main Reading Room also has an Eye-Pal SOLO assistive device - a stand-alone scanning and reading appliance with OCR and read aloud capabilities without the need of a computer.
Additional assistive technology is available to researchers by reservation, it’s recommended that you request ADA accommodations at least five business days in advance by contacting (202) 707-6024 or ada@loc.gov.