First Floor

First Floor Overview

The building is rectangular. The north side of the building is parallel to Independence Ave. The south side of the building is parallel to C St SE. The building is separated into four color-coordinated sections with an additional core for the center of the building. The Blue Core is to the northeast, the Red Core is to the southeast, the Yellow Core is to the southwest, the Green Core is to the northwest, and the Bronze Core is in the center. The hallways widen where colored cores meet. There are elevators, stairs, and restrooms in each core of the building.

The directions to locations of interest assume you are standing in the elevator lobby just outside the elevators in the Bronze Core, facing east. Please refer to the Elevators and Stairs section for directions to locate the Bronze Core elevators from the Main Entrance. In the directions below, symbols are placed after certain location names to indicate closure and restriction updates.

These directions were last updated August 2024.

Entrances and Exits

Main Entrance [ Wheelchair Accessible Wheelchair Access]

The Main Entrance and Exit is located on the north side of the building up the steps facing Independence Ave. There are wheelchair accessible ramps on either side of the steps to the Main Entrance. You must present staff I.D. or a Reader Card to pass through security when entering the building outside of typical operational hours. Every entrance has security screening; please refer to the Services and Security section for details on the security screening process.

Directions to Main Entrance

Step 1: From the corner of Independence Ave and C St SE, face west and proceed down the sidewalk along Independence Ave towards 1st St SE.
Step 2: Continue alongside the low stone wall bordering the left side of the sidewalk until the wall ends and you reach a gap. Use caution to navigate around short poles and barriers.
Step 3: Proceed forward to reach another low stone wall on your left. Continue alongside the low stone wall until the wall ends.
Step 4: Turn left and then proceed forward until you read the low stone ledge of the Madison Memorial Building exterior. Turn right and proceed forward to reach the wheelchair accessible ramp.
Step 5: Ascend the ramp and pass three columns on your left. Turn left to face the Main Entrance to the Madison Memorial Building.
Step 6: Proceed forward to reach the Staff & Congress Entrance and the wheelchair accessible entrance to its right. The wheelchair accessible entrance is an automatic sliding door.

Main Exit [ Wheelchair Accessible Wheelchair Access]

The Main Exit is located on the First Floor on the north side of the building, near the Bronze Core. Every entrance has security screening; please refer to the Services and Security section for details on the security screening process.

Directions to Main Exit

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the Information Desk on the other side of the room.
Step 2: Turn left and proceed forward towards the Visitor Exit security. You will need to pass through a book detector on the right side of the room. Please follow all instructions from security personnel.
Step 3: After passing through security, continue forward to exit the building through the Visitor Exit double doors or take a slight right to exit through the wheelchair accessible automatic door.
Step 4: Proceed forward and navigate around the stone columns to reach the stairs and wheelchair accessible ramp down from the Main Entrance and Exit.
Step 5: Turn left or right to descend the wheelchair accessible ramps then turn away from the building to face Independence Ave.
Step 6: Proceed forward to reach the Independence Ave sidewalk. Use caution to navigate around short poles and barriers.

Reader Card Registration

Navigation to Reader Card Registration

Reader Card Registration is located on the First Floor in the Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room. Please refer to the Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room section for directions to Reader Card Registration.

Restrooms

Men’s and Women’s restrooms are located in each core of every floor in the building. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located in the Blue Core and Yellow Core in the northeast and southwest corners of the building. On weekends, use the restrooms in the Blue Core, Green, and Bronze Core only.

Bronze Core Restrooms [ Men’s] [ Women’s]

The Bronze Core Restrooms are located on each floor in the center of the building near the Bronze Core Elevators.

Directions to Bronze Core Restrooms

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the Information Desk on the other side of the room.
Step 2: Navigate around the left side of the Information Desk, taking a slight right to reach the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
Step 3: The restrooms will be immediately to your right. The Men’s Restroom is first, followed by the Women’s Restroom.

Blue Core Restrooms [ Wheelchair Accessible Wheelchair Access] [ Men’s] [ Women’s]

The Blue Core Restrooms are located on each floor in the northeast corner of the building across from the Blue Core elevators and next to the Blue Core Stairs.

Directions to Blue Core Restrooms

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the Information Desk on the other side of the room.
Step 2: Navigate around the left side of the Information Desk, taking a slight right to reach the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
Step 4: Take the first right after the wider section.
Step 5: Continue forward. The Men’s Restroom is the on the right, followed by the Women’s Restroom.

Red Core Restrooms [ Men’s] [ Women’s]

The Red Core Restrooms are located on each floor in the southeast corner of the building across from the Red Core Elevators and next to the Red Core Stairs.

Directions to Red Core Restrooms

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the Information Desk on the other side of the room.
Step 2: Navigate around the left side of the Information Desk, taking a slight right to reach the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
Step 4: Take the first right after the wider section.
Step 5: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Blue Core meets the Red Core.
Step 6: Continue forward. The Men’s Restroom is the on the right, followed by the Women’s Restroom.

Yellow Core Restrooms [ Wheelchair Accessible Wheelchair Access] [ Men’s] [ Women’s]

The Yellow Core Restrooms are located on each floor in the southwest corner of the building across from the Yellow Core Elevators and next to the Yellow Core Stairs.

Directions to Yellow Core Restrooms

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby.
Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
Step 4: Take the first left after the wider section.
Step 5: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Green Core meets the Yellow Core.
Step 6: Continue forward. The Men’s Restroom is the on the left, followed by the Women’s Restroom.

Green Core Restrooms [ Men’s] [ Women’s]

The Green Core Restrooms are located on each floor in the northwest corner of the building across from the Green Core Elevators and next to the Green Core Stairs.

Directions to Green Core Restrooms

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby.
Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
Step 4: Take the first left after the wider section.
Step 5: Continue forward. The Men’s Restroom is the on the left, followed by the Women’s Restroom.

Services and Security

Security

All visitors must be screened by security immediately upon entering the building through any entrance. Security on the First Floor is located immediately after entering the Visitor Entrance on the north side of the building from Independence Ave. Researchers and Staff entering through a Researchers entrance will be asked to present their I.D. badge or Reader Card. If you will need accommodations for a future visit, please request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at 202-707-6362 or email ADA@loc.gov. If you need assistance the day of your visit please ask an officer at the Security screening for assistance.

Directions for Security and Screening Process

Step 1: Remove all contents from pockets, belts, and place in the provided plastic bin.
Step 2: Place the plastic bin containing belongings on the security conveyor belt for screening.
Step 3: Remove any laptops or large electronics and tablets from your bag and place them on the conveyor belt for screening.
Step 4: Place bags on the conveyor belt and pass through the metal detector.
Step 5: Gather belongings from the conveyor belt and return the empty plastic bin to the counter next to the metal detector.

Cloakroom (Coat Check)

The Cloakroom is located on the First Floor on the northeast side of the building, in the Blue Core.

Directions to Cloakroom (Coat Check)

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the Information Desk on the other side of the room.
Step 2: Turn left and proceed forward. Turn right to enter the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
Step 4: The Cloakroom will be the first door on the left after passing the wider section of the hallway.

Human Capital Information Center

The Human Capital Information Center (formerly Human Resources Service Center) is located on the First Floor on the northwest side of the building, in the Green Core.

Directions to Human Resources Service Center

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby.
Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
Step 4: The Human Capital Information Center will be the first door on the right after passing the wider section of the hallway.

Elevators and Stairs

Bronze Core Elevators [Elevator]

The Bronze Core Elevators are located on each floor in the center of the building.

Directions to Bronze Core Elevators

Step 1: After passing through security at the Main Entrance on the First Floor, continue forward, passing a hallway to your right.
Step 2: Take the next right to reach the elevators. There will be three elevators to the north and three elevators to the south.

Blue Core Elevators and Stairs [Elevator] [Stairs]

The Blue Core Elevators and Stairs are located on each floor in the northeast corner of the building near the Blue Core Restrooms.

Directions to Blue Core Elevators

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the other side of the room. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
Step 2: Turn left and proceed forward. Turn right to enter the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
Step 4: Take the first right after the wider section.
Step 5: Continue forward. The entrance to the Blue Core Elevators is first the opening on the left.

Directions to Blue Core Stairs

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the other side of the room. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
Step 2: Turn left and proceed forward. Turn right to enter the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
Step 4: Take the first right after the wider section.
Step 5: Continue forward. The door to the Blue Core Stairs will be on the right.

Red Core Elevators and Stairs [Elevator] [Stairs]

The Red Core Elevators and Stairs are located on each floor in the southeast corner of the building near the Red Core Restrooms.

Directions to Red Core Elevators

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the other side of the room. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
Step 2: Turn left and proceed forward. Turn right to enter the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past through the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
Step 4: Take the first right after the wider section.
Step 5: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past through the wider section where the Blue Core meets the Red Core.
Step 6: Continue forward. The entrance to the Red Core Elevators is first the opening on the left.

Directions to Red Core Stairs

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the other side of the room. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
Step 2: Turn left and proceed forward. Turn right to enter the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past through the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
Step 4: Take the first right after the wider section.
Step 5: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past through the wider section where the Blue Core meets the Red Core.
Step 6: The door to the Red Core Stairs will be on the right.

Yellow Core Elevators and Stairs [Elevator] [Stairs]

The Yellow Core Elevators and Stairs are located on each floor in the southwest corner of the building near the Yellow Core Restrooms.

Directions to Yellow Core Elevators

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
Step 4: Take the first left after the wider section.
Step 5: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Green Core meets the Yellow Core.
Step 6: Continue forward. The entrance to the Yellow Core Elevators is the first opening on the right.

Directions to Yellow Core Stairs

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
Step 4: Take the first left after the wider section.
Step 5: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Green Core meets the Yellow Core.
Step 6: The door to the Yellow Core Stairs will be on the left.

Green Core Elevators [Elevator] [Stairs]

The Green Core Elevators and Stairs are located on each floor in the northwest corner of the building near the Green Core Restrooms.

Directions to Green Core Elevators

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
Step 4: Take the first left after the wider section.
Step 5: Continue forward. The entrance to the Green Core Elevators is the first opening on the right.

Directions to Green Core Stairs

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
Step 4: Take the first left after the wider section.
Step 5: Continue forward. The door to the Green Core Stairs will be on the left.

Visitor Locations of Interest

The Atrium [ Closed]

The Atrium is located on the First Floor in the center of the building in the Bronze Core. It is directly facing the Main Entrance.

Directions to Atrium

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn right as you exit the lobby.
Step 2: Proceed forward to the end of the room. Turn left and continue forward to reach the glass door entrance to the Atrium on your right.

Madison Hall

Madison Hall is located on the First Floor on the north side of the building immediately left of the security screening when entering through the Main Entrance.

Directions to Madison Hall

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the Information Desk on the other side of the room.
Step 2: Turn left and proceed forward towards the Visitor Exit security.
Step 3: The Madison Hall is immediately on the right after passing through the book detector at security.

Researcher and Staff Locations of Interest

Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room [Researchers Researcher] [ Wi-Fi]

The Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room is located on the First Floor on the east side of the building, between the Blue Core and Red Core.

Directions to Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the Information Desk on the other side of the room.
Step 2: Turn left and proceed forward. Turn right to enter the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
Step 4: Take the first right after the wider section.
Step 5: Proceed forward to the wider section where the Blue Core meets the Red Core.
Step 6: The glass door entrance to the Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room will be on the left of the wider section of the hallway.

Manuscript Reading Room [Researchers Researcher] [ Wi-Fi]

The Manuscript Reading Room is located on the First Floor on the north side of the building, in the Bronze Core.

Directions to Manuscript Reading Room

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn right as you exit the lobby.
Step 2: Proceed forward to the end of the room. Turn left and continue forward to reach the glass door entrance to the Manuscript Reading Room straight ahead.

Manuscript Division Office [Staff]

The Manuscript Division Office is located on the First Floor on the north side of the building, in the Bronze Core.

Directions to Manuscript Division Office

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn right as you exit the lobby.
Step 2: Proceed forward to the end of the room. Turn right to reach the glass doors to the Manuscript Division Office.

Performing Arts Reading Room [Researchers Researcher] [ Wi-Fi]

The Performing Arts Reading Room is located on the First Floor on the west side of the building.

Directions to Performing Arts Reading Room

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby.
Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
Step 4: Take the first left after the wider section.
Step 5: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue to the wider section where the Green Core meets the Yellow Core.
Step 6: The entrance to the Performing Arts Reading Room is the first glass door on the right side of the wider section of the hallway. Use caution to navigate around exhibits to reach the closed double doors to the Performing Arts Reading Room.

Recorded Sound Research Center [Researchers Researcher] [ Wi-Fi]

The Recorded Sound Research Center is located on the First Floor on the west side of the building. It is accessible only by entering through the Performing Arts Reading Room.

Directions to Recorded Sound Research Center

Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby.
Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
Step 4: Take the first left after the wider section.
Step 5: Proceed forward down the hallway. Continue to the wider section where the Green Core meets the Yellow Core.
Step 6: The entrance to the Performing Arts Reading Room is the first glass door on the right side of the wider section of the hallway. Use caution to navigate around exhibits to reach the closed door to the Performing Arts Reading Room.
Step 7: When entering the Performing Arts Reading Room, the information desk will be to your right. The entrance to the Recorded Sound Research Center is to your left at the end of the room. Staff will direct you to the entrance.