Sixth Floor

Sixth 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 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

Visitor Entrance

The Basement Floor does not have its own entrance from the exterior of the building. Please refer to the Ground Floor Plan and First Floor Plan directions to locate the Main Entrance and the C St SE Entrance. There are elevators and stairs in each core of the building that grant access to the Basement Floor.

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 Core, and Bronze Core only.

Bronze Core Restrooms [ Wheelchair Accessible Wheelchair Access] [ 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 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: 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 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 forward through 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 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 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 forward 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 forward through the wider section where the Blue Core meets the Red Core.
Step 6: The Men’s Restroom is 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 forward through 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 forward through the wider section where the Green Core meets the Yellow Core.
Step 6: The Men’s Restroom is 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 forward through 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. The Men’s Restroom is 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. Researchers and Staff entering through a Researchers entrance will be asked to present their I.D. badge or Reader Card. Please refer to Services and Security for directions to the Security and Screening process.

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.

ATM

The ATM is located on the northeast side of the building in the Red Core.

Directions to ATM

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: Continue forward and take the next immediate right.
Step 3: Proceed forward down the hallway, entering the Blue Core.
Step 4: Take the first right and continue forward entering the Red Core.
Step 5: After passing the area where the hallway widens and narrows, turn right into another hallway.
Step 6: The ATM will be on the right side of the hallway, where it protrudes out the wall.

Along / in between the glass display cases

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.

Bronze Core Escalator [Stair] [ Closed]

The Bronze Core Escalator is located on the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Floors in the center of the building in the Bronze Core.

Directions to Bronze Core Escalator [ Closed]

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. Proceed forward to the end of the room.
Step 2: Turn right and proceed forward to the corner
Step 3: Turn left and proceed forward down the hallway.
Step 4: Pass the Oval Gallery’s stone walls and entrance on your left to reach the escalator.
Step 5: Continue forward down the hallway to reach the Bronze Core Escalator. It will be on your left.

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.
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 forward 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. 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.
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 forward 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. 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.
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 forward 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 forward through the wider section where the Blue Core meets the Red Core.
Step 6: Proceed 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.
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 forward 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 forward 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.
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 forward through 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 forward through the wider section where the Green Core meets the Yellow Core.
Step 6: Proceed 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.
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 forward through 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 forward through 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 and Stairs [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.
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 forward through 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. 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.
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 forward through 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. The door to the Green Core Stairs will be on the left.

Visitor Locations of Interest

Mumford Room [ Wi-Fi]

The Mumford Room is located on the Sixth Floor in the north side of the building, near the Bronze Core Elevators.

Directions to Mumford Room

Step 1: Facing east at the Bronze Core elevators so that elevators are to your left and right, navigate forward until you can turn right.
Step 2: Continue forward

Get to the desk and then orient from there

Oval Gallery

The Oval Gallery is located on the Sixth Floor in the center of the building in the Bronze Core. The Oval Gallery is ovular with walkways around its exterior and entrances on its east and west sides. The exterior of the gallery is made of uneven stone.

Directions to Oval Gallery

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 to the middle of the lobby.
Step 2: Turn right and proceed straight until you hit a wall, then turn left and continue straight into a hallway. Be cautious of seating benches.
Step 3: Turn right into the hallway and proceed straight entering the Red Core.
Step 4: Passing the double doors the Oval Gallery will be on the right.

Library of Congress Federal Credit Union

The Library of Congress Federal Credit Union is located on the Sixth Floor on the east side of the building near the Red Core.

Directions to Library of Congress Federal Credit Union

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.
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 forward through the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
Step 4: Take the first right after the wider section and continue straight passing the open area on the left for the Blue Core elevators.
Step 5: The Library of Congress Federal Credit Union will be the first glass door on the right of the wider section of the hallway. Use caution navigating around freestanding signs.

Madison Cafeteria

The Madison Cafeteria is located on the Sixth Floor on the south side of the building.

Directions to Madison Cafeteria

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.
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 forward 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 to the end of the hall, past the wider section where the Blue Core meets the Red Core. When you reach a wall turn right.
Step 6: Proceed forward to reach the open double doors to the Madison Cafeteria.

West Dining Room

The West Dining Room is located on the Sixth Floor in the southwest corner of the building near the Yellow Core.

Directions to West Dining 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: Continue forward down the hallway. Continue forward through 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 to the end of the hall, past the wider section where the Green Core meets the Yellow Core.
Step 5: After passing the opening to the Yellow Core Elevators on the right side of the hallway, turn left and continue forward.
Step 6: The West Dining Room entrance will be the only door on the right side of the hallway.

Dining Room A

Dining Room A is located on the Sixth Floor in the southwest corner of the building near the Yellow Core.

Directions to Dining Room A

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 forward through 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 to the end of the hall, past the wider section where the Green Core meets the Yellow Core.
Step 6: After passing the opening to the Yellow Core Elevators on the right side of the hallway, continue forward. The entrance to Dining Room A is straight ahead.

Montpelier Room

The Montpelier Room is located on the Sixth Floor in the southwest corner of the building near the Yellow Core.

Directions to Montpelier 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 forward through 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 to the end of the hall, past the wider section where the Green Core meets the Yellow Core.
Step 6: After passing the opening to the Yellow Core Elevators on the right side of the hallway, continue forward. The entrance to Dining Room A is straight ahead. Turn right to reach the entrance to the Montpelier Room

Dining Room C

Dining Room C is located on the Sixth Floor in the southwest corner of the building near the Yellow Core.

Directions to Dining Room C

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 forward through 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 to the end of the hall, past the wider section where the Green Core meets the Yellow Core.
Step 6: After passing the opening to the Yellow Core Elevators on the right side of the hallway, take an immediate right. The entrance to Dining Room C is straight ahead.