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Notice
JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY: On Friday, June 19, 2026, the Jefferson Building Great Hall, The Source, and exhibitions will be open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. to guests with timed-entry passes. The Main Reading Room will be open to visitors, but no research or collections services will be available. All other reading rooms, the Madison and Adams Buildings will be closed to the public. Regularly scheduled access resumes on Saturday, June 20.

Research Centers

Use the Library

Welcome to the Library of Congress, your gateway to knowledge. Use our vast digital resources from anywhere or visit our specialized research centers in Washington, DC, to dive deeper. We are here to support your journey, no matter your level of experience. At the Library of Congress, everyone is a researcher––let's explore together!

Research Anywhere, Anytime

Two men, possibly librarians, stand in bookstacks at the Library of Congress Research Guides Explore our subject and collections guides.
Cowboy wrangling bull with white horse running alongside. Digital Collections Access hundreds of free digital collections.
A person reading a book kneeling in front of a card catalog. Catalog Search the Library's online catalog for information on much of our collections.
Men with pickaxes and women and children gathering oysters at coast. Finding Aids Use finding aids to understand collections throughout the Library.
Inventor Charles S.L. Baker and another man, possibly Baker's brother Peter, standing behind heating (radiator) system. One man is holding a knob that is attached to two wires. Tutorials Watch video tutorials designed to provide brief introductions to research centers and common researcher tasks.
A person looking at a Library of Congress webpage on laptop computer. Free Resources Recommended databases and free resources to get you started on your research, no matter where you are accessing us from.
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Visit the Library for Research

Building Access Directions and what to expect at the Library.
Reader Registration/Library Card How and where to get your library card.
User Policies What you can do and bring!
Hours for Research Hours vary by research center. Find them here!
Electronic Resources Online Catalog Access thousands of subscription databases, indexes, archives, and other online resources.
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Location

Library of Congress
Thomas Jefferson Building
10 First Street SE
Washington, DC 20540
View map External link

Hours

All research centers are open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm. Evening and Saturday hours vary by research center. All research centers are closed on Sundays and Federal Holidays.