Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

1. How do I plan a visit to the Manuscript Reading Room?
2. Where is the Manuscript Reading Room located and what are the public services hours?
3. Are all of the Manuscript Division's collections available online?
4. I can’t visit the Library, can you still help me with my research?
5. What is a finding aid?
6. What resources are available in the Manuscript Reading Room?
7. Can the Library grant me permission to publish?
8. Does the Manuscript Division have a required form of citation?
9. Are all manuscripts at the Library of Congress held in the Manuscript Division?
10. Can I borrow materials held in the Manuscript Division through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?
11. What's the difference between the Library of Congress Manuscript Division and the National Archives?
12. Do you have the records of Congress, and the papers of every member of Congress?
13. I registered my manuscript for copyright protection, can the Manuscript Division help me?
14. I’ve found an old document- now what?
15. I want to give my documents to the Manuscript Division- now what?
16. How do I care for my own papers?
17. We just love history and want to take a tour- is that an option?

Answers

1. How do I plan a visit to the Manuscript Reading Room?

   While appointments are not required, researchers are strongly encouraged to contact the Manuscript Division ahead of a visit. Collections may be stored off-site or have access restrictions. Some collections have been digitized and others have been microfilmed; in most circumstances these materials are accessible outside of the Manuscript Reading Room.

   Readers must present a verified Library of Congress Reader Identification Card to gain access to the Manuscript Reading Room. To save time you may pre-register online.

   With staff approval, researchers may bring loose sheets of paper, computers, and photographic equipment into the Manuscript Reading Room. Some personal items, such as bags, notepads, and books are prohibited. Free lockers are provided to secure personal property. See Manuscript Reading Room Rules and Regulations and Personal Belongings at the Library of Congress for more information. 

   General information on conducting research at the Library can be found at “Information for Researchers.” Information about conducting research in the Manuscript Reading Room is available in “Using the Manuscript Reading Room”. You may also find the video tutorial "Research in the Manuscript Reading Room of the Library of Congress" helpful.

2. Where is the Manuscript Reading Room located and what are the public services hours?

   The Manuscript Reading Room is located in room LM-101 on the first floor of the Library’s James Madison Memorial Building at 101 Independence Ave., SE, Washington, DC. The reading room is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. Are all of the Manuscript Division's collections available online?

   Although the Manuscript Division has not digitized all of its collections, new digital content is continually added to the Library’s website. Links to digital content can be found in catalog records and finding aids. A list of collections digitized by the Manuscript Division can be found on the Library's website.

4. I can’t visit the Library, can you still help me with my research?

   The staff of the Manuscript Reading Room encourages researchers who are unable to visit in person to contact us through Ask A Librarian. Some collections have had portions published and others have been digitized or microfilmed. In most circumstances, these materials are accessible outside of the Manuscript Reading Room. Staff can suggest alternative access options and answer specific queries about collections.

   You may also consider ordering copies through Duplication Services or hiring an independent researcher to conduct research on your behalf.

5. What is a finding aid?

   Finding aids convey useful information about an individual collection, including an inventory of the series, containers, and folders; and typically describe the size, media types, organization, and arrangement. They place archival resources in context by consolidating details about the collection, such as acquisition, processing histories, provenance, and descriptions of scope. Finding aids are rarely item indexes.

   Most finding aids for Manuscript Division collections are available online. It is important to note that not all Manuscript Division collections have finding aids, and not all finding aids are available online.

6. What resources are available in the Manuscript Reading Room?

   The Manuscript Reading Room provides desks, paper, pencils, overhead scanners and copying machines, public computer terminals, a born digital station, and microfilm scanners and readers. Book cradles, book weights, magnifiers, a light box, and gloves are available at reading room staff’s discretion. An adjustable standing desk is also available in the Manuscript Reading Room. The room is equipped with wireless internet access. A reference book collection, which provides standard reference sources as well as secondary literature specific to our holdings, is located in the reading room.

7. Can the Library grant me permission to publish?

   The Library of Congress does not own the copyright in either published or unpublished manuscripts in its custody and can therefore neither grant nor deny permission to publish or quote in published form from manuscripts in its collections. It is the official policy of the Library of Congress that the responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with the persons desiring to use the item. Unpublished manuscripts are protected for the life of the author plus 70 years. See the U.S. Copyright Office website for more information, and Circular 15a (PDF, 92KB) regarding copyright duration. 

8. Does the Manuscript Division have a required form of citation?

   The Manuscript Division does not require a specific form of citation. However, a citation that includes the following information is recommended:

   Container or Reel Number, Collection Title, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington D.C.

   Collections described by finding aids contain recommendations for the preferred citation for the collection.

9. Are all manuscripts at the Library of Congress held in the Manuscript Division?

   While the Manuscript Division holds the overwhelming majority of archival materials housed in the Library of Congress, archival collections are found in other divisions. For example, the personal papers of many noted composers and entertainers are held in the Library’s Performing Arts Division, and many manuscripts are also held in the Library’s African and Middle Eastern Division.

10. Can I borrow materials held in the Manuscript Division through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

    Generally, microfilm reels of collections for which the Manuscript Division holds the originals are eligible for interlibrary loan. Up to ten reels from one collection may be borrowed for a loan period of two months. Prospective borrowers may initiate a loan request at their local library. Original collection material is not eligible for interlibrary loan.

11. What's the difference between the Library of Congress Manuscript Division and the National Archives?

    The Library of Congress Manuscript Division holds personal papers and organizational records significant to American history. The National Archives and Records Administration is the official depository for United States government records.

12. Do you have the records of Congress, and the papers of every member of Congress?

    The Manuscript Division is the custodian of many, but not all, collections of personal papers of U.S. Congressmen, Congresswomen, and Senators. Each of these collections is represented by a catalog record in the Library of Congress Online Public Access Catalog. 

    The published guide, Members of Congress : A Checklist of Their Papers in the Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, (Library of Congress, 1980) lists 1,109 Members of Congress and the locations of relevant material in the Manuscript Division that were acquired prior to 1980. The full text of this publication is available digitally through its catalog record. 

    Many members of Congress donate their papers to research repositories in their home states after they leave office. The online Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-present, includes information about the location of personal papers of members of Congress. This directory includes reference to collections in the Manuscript Division.

    The official records of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives remain the property of the Federal Government and are made available by the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives and Records Administration.

13. I registered my manuscript for copyright protection, can the Manuscript Division help me?

    With the exception of dramatic compositions registered between 1901-1977, the Manuscript Division does not systematically collect materials submitted to the United States Copyright Office for copyright protection. Patrons in need of assistance with copyrighted materials are encouraged to contact the United State Copyright Office via their webform or by calling 202-707-3000.

14. I’ve found an old document- now what?

    If you would like to know what your find is worth for tax or insurance purposes or because you would like to sell it, you can ask an appraiser to evaluate it. An appraiser, generally an experienced dealer in rare books and manuscripts, can tell you what your document is and what it might be worth on the market. The Library of Congress neither authenticates nor appraises books, manuscripts, works of art, or objects.  But professional appraisers’ and book dealers’ organizations can help you find an appraiser near you. Appraisers charge for their services, so be sure to ask what the fee is before making an appointment. A few organizations are listed below:

    • American Society of Appraisers external link
    • International Society of Appraisers external link
    • Appraisers Association of America external link
    • Professional Autograph Dealers Association external link
    • Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America external link

15. I want to give my documents to the Manuscript Division- now what?

    Take a look at our website to find out what we collect. If it seems like a good fit, write to us through Ask A Librarian to get in touch with a specialist.

16. How do I care for my own papers?

    Old paper requires special storage and handling. Here are a few basic rules:

    • Keep it out of the sunlight. It should be kept in cool, dry places where neither the temperature nor the humidity fluctuates too much, and it should be handled as carefully and as infrequently as possible.
    • You should never try to clean an old document (other than to lightly dust it) and you should never write on it, erase it, fold it, cut it, tape it, staple it, bind it, unbind it, or change it in any other way.
    • If you think the document requires repairs, you should hire a professional paper conservator. We recommend searching the American Institute for Conservation. external link
    • You can find additional resources on the Preservation Division’s website.

17. We just love history and want to take a tour- is that an option?

    The Manuscript Reading Room is a closed-stacks facility and does not offer experiential tours. For those wishing to visit the Library to experience its rich history and splendid architecture, we recommend visiting the Thomas Jefferson building, which regularly has exhibitions that feature collection material from the Manuscript Division. More information about entry and visiting is available here.