Welcome

Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Library of Congress. I’m Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian.

The Library was created in 1800, and it occupies an important crossroads in American life—a place where the nation’s political and literary cultures intersect. The Library is both the major research arm of the US Congress and the world’s largest library, and its programs and services include the US Copyright Office and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. Last year, the staff of the Library responded to more than 700,000 reference requests from researchers, issued over 400,000 copyright registrations, and circulated more than 20 million copies of braille, audio and large-print items to blind and print disabled patrons.

As a descendant of people who were denied the right to read, I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve and lead this institution that is our national symbol of knowledge. Beyond the beautiful architecture you will see today, the heart of the institution is the unparalleled book, manuscript, music, map, sound recording, television, film and graphic arts collections preserved here—samples from these can be seen in the exhibitions in this building. We will start our tour in the Great Hall, one level up from where you entered the building.