Top of page

Notice: The Library of Congress will be open on Monday, November 11th, for the federal holiday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last entry will be at 4:30 p.m.

Second Floor

Thomas Jefferson Building, Second Floor

Second Floor Overview

The building is rectangular. The west side of the building is parallel to 1st St SE. The east side of the building is parallel to 2nd St SE. The Second Floor does not have its own entrance or exit from the exterior of the building. Please refer to the First Floor Plan to locate the entrance.

The Second Floor has a mezzanine with north, south, east, and west corridors all overlooking the Great Hall. The north and south corridors grant access to exhibit rooms and the east corridor grants access to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery. Researcher locations of interest and Reading Rooms are located on the east side of the building. The North and South Staircases that descend to the First Floor have entrances at the northeast and southeast inner corners of the Second Floor mezzanine.

The directions to visitor locations of interest on the Second Floor assume you are on the east side of the mezzanine, facing the east towards the stairs that lead to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery. In the directions below, symbols are placed after certain location names to indicate closure and restriction updates.

These directions were last updated June 2024.

Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery

Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery Wheelchair Accessible

The Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery is located in the east corridor of the Second Floor mezzanine accessible by stairs or by using the Visitor Elevators on the west side of the building. It is wheelchair accessible via the elevators. Please refer to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery section under Visitor Locations of Interest for directions.

Reader Card Registration and Main Reading Room

Navigation to Reader Card Registration and Main Reading Room Researchers

The Main Reading Room is located in the center of the building with an entrance from the Great Hall to the west and an entrance by Reader Card Registration in the east. The Great Hall entrance to the Main Reading Room is currently closed; navigation to the Main Reading Room is currently accessible through the Ground Floor. Please refer to Ground Floor Plan Reader Card Registration and Main Reading Room directions to access the Main Reading Room. Please refer to the Elevators and Stairs directions to access the Ground Floor.

Restrooms

Wheelchair Accessible Restrooms Wheelchair Accessible

Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located on the Ground Floor. If you require a wheelchair accessible restroom, please refer to the Ground Floor Plan Restrooms section for directions. The Ground Floor is accessible using the elevators or stairs to the Ground Floor. Please refer to the Elevators and Stairs section for directions to the Ground Floor.

Men’s Restroom

A Men’s Restroom is located on the Second Floor in the east side of the building near researcher locations of interest. It is only accessible through the Researcher’s Elevators and Stairs on the east side of the Ground Floor. Please refer to the Elevator and Stairs section for access to the Ground Floor. Once on the Ground Floor please refer to the Ground Floor Plan Researcher Stairs and Elevators section for directions to researcher locations of interest on the Second Floor.

The following directions assume you are starting navigation from the Researcher Elevators on the Second Floor in the east side of the building.

Directions to Men’s Restroom

  1. After exiting the elevator, turn right and proceed to the end of the hall.
  2. Before reaching a doorway, turn right then continue forward.
  3. The Men’s Restroom is straight ahead at the end of the hallway.

Women’s Restroom

A Women’s Restroom is located on the Second Floor in the east side of the building near researcher locations of interest. It is only accessible through the Researcher’s Elevators and Stairs on the east side of the Ground Floor. Please refer to the Elevator and Stairs section for access to the Ground Floor. Once on the Ground Floor please refer to the Ground Floor Plan Researcher Stairs and Elevators section for directions to researcher locations of interest on the Second Floor.

The following directions assume you are starting navigation from the Researcher Elevators on the Second Floor in the east side of the building. 

Directions to Women’s Restroom

  1. After exiting the elevator, turn left and proceed to the end of the hall.
  2. Before reaching a doorway, turn left then continue forward.
  3. The Women’s Restroom is straight ahead at the end of the hallway.

Elevators and Stairs

Stairs to First Floor

The North and South Staircases that descend to the First Floor are located on the Second Floor in the west side of the building and have entrances at the northeast and southeast inner corners of the Second Floor mezzanine.

Directions to North Staircase to First Floor

  1. Facing east, towards the stairs leading to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery, turn left and proceed forward towards the north corridor.
  2. When you reach the north corridor, turn left to navigate around the pillar at the corner of the mezzanine railing to reach the North Staircase.
  3. There is a handrail along the center of the stairs. Please descend on the right side of the stairs to maintain the flow of traffic. Descend one flight of stairs to reach the first landing and turn right.
  4. Descend the second flight of stairs to reach a second landing. Continue forward and descend the third flight of stairs to the third landing.
  5. Turn left to descend to the Great Hall or turn right to descend to the Family Room.
  6. Descend the fourth flight of stairs to reach the First Floor.

Directions to South Staircase to First Floor

  1. Facing east, towards the stairs leading to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery, turn right and proceed towards the south corridor. 
  2. When you reach the south corridor, turn right to navigate around the pillar at the corner of the mezzanine railing to reach the South Staircase.
  3. There is a handrail along the center of the stairs. Please descend on the right side of the stairs to maintain the flow of traffic. Descend one flight of stairs to reach the first landing and turn left. 
  4. Descend the second flight of stairs to reach a second landing. Continue forward and descend the third flight of stairs to the third landing.
  5. Turn right to descend to the Great Hall or turn left to descend to the Lyric Poetry Room.
  6. Descend the fourth flight of stairs to reach the First Floor.

Visitor Elevators

The Visitor Elevators is located on the Second Floor in the west side of the building. It is on the south side of the stairs leading to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery. Both the north and south Visitor The elevator grants access to the Ground Floor, First Floor, Second Floor and the Main Reading Room Gallery level where visitors can observe the Main Reading Room from above. When exiting the Main Reading Room Gallery, use the north Visitor Elevator to maintain the flow of traffic.

Directions to Visitor Elevators

  1. Facing east, proceed straight to the stairs leading to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery. Be cautious of rope barriers used to direct traffic to the stairs.
  2. Turn right and proceed forward then turn left to navigate around the side of the stairs. You should be facing east again with the stairs to your left.
  3. Continue forward until you reach the wall.
  4. Turn right to face the south Visitor Elevator with access to the gallery level or turn left and proceed forward underneath the stairs to reach the north Visitor Elevator.

Researcher Stairs and Elevators

Researcher Stairs and Elevators are located on the Second Floor in the east side of the building parallel to 2nd St SE. They are only accessible through the Ground Floor. The Researcher Stairs and Elevators are necessary for reaching Reader Card Registration, and other researcher locations of interest. Please refer to the Ground Floor Plan Researcher Stairs and Elevators section for directions. 

Visitor Locations of Interest

Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery

The Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery is located in the east corridor of the Second Floor mezzanine accessible by stairs or by using the elevator on the west side of the building. It is wheelchair accessible via the elevators. 

Directions to Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery via Elevators Wheelchair Accessible

  1. Facing east, proceed straight to the stairs leading to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery. Be cautious of rope barriers used to direct traffic to the stairs.
  2. Turn right and proceed forward then turn left to navigate around the side of the stairs. You should be facing east again with the stairs to your left.
  3. Continue forward until you reach the wall then turn left. The elevator will be directly in front of you.
  4. Take the elevator to ascend to the gallery level. The button for the gallery level is wider than the circular buttons and labeled “GALLERY.”
  5. When exiting the elevator, the entrance to the gallery is directly to your right.
  6. After exiting from the opposite end of the gallery from where you entered, the exit elevator is immediately to your right.

Directions to Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery via Stairs

  1. Facing east, proceed straight to the stairs leading to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery. Be cautious of rope barriers used to direct traffic to the stairs.
  2. There is a handrail along the center of the stairs. Please ascend on the right side of the stairs to maintain the flow of traffic. Ascend up one flight of stairs to reach the first landing.
  3. Ascend the second flight of stairs to reach a second landing then turn right.
  4. Ascend the third flight of stairs to the top of the stairs. The entrance to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery is directly to your left.
  5. After exiting from the opposite end of the gallery from where you entered, the exit elevator is immediately to your right. Turn left to face the descending stairs to the Second Floor.
  6. There is a handrail along the center of the stairs. Please descend on the right side of the stairs to maintain the flow of traffic. Descend down one flight of stairs to reach the first landing.
  7. Turn right and descend down a second flight of stairs to reach the second landing. Continue forward and descend the third flight of stairs to the Second Floor.

Minerva Mosaic

The Minerva Mosaic is located on the Second Floor in the west side of the building overlooking the stairs leading to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery. Access to the landing is not wheelchair accessible, but the Minerva Mosaic is visible from the east corridor of the Second Floor mezzanine. Taking photographs of the Minerva Mosaic while standing on the stairs to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery is prohibited for safety reasons and to maintain the flow of traffic.

Directions to Minerva Mosaic

  1. Facing east, proceed straight to the stairs leading to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery. Be cautious of rope barriers used to direct traffic to the stairs.
  2. The Minerva Mosaic is straight ahead above the second landing on the stairs.

Southwest Exhibition Gallery

Southwest Exhibition Gallery is located on the Second Floor in the southwest side of the building and is accessible from the south corridor of the Second Floor mezzanine. Use caution when moving throughout exhibit spaces, as exhibits are temporary and subject to change.

Directions to Southwest Exhibition Gallery

  1. Facing east, towards the stairs leading to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery, turn right and proceed towards the south corridor.
  2. When you reach the south corridor, turn right to navigate around the pillar at the corner of the mezzanine railing. You should now be facing west with the South Staircase to your right.
  3. The three doors on the left side of the corridor all lead to the Southwest Exhibition Gallery.

Thomas Jefferson’s Library Exhibition

The Thomas Jefferson Library Exhibition is located on the Second Floor in the southwest corner of the building and is accessible from the south corridor of the Second Floor mezzanine, past the Southwest Exhibition Gallery. Use caution when moving throughout exhibit spaces, as exhibits are temporary and subject to change.

Directions to Thomas Jefferson’s Library Exhibition

  1. Facing east, towards the stairs leading to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery, turn right and proceed towards the south corridor.
  2. When you reach the south corridor, turn right to navigate around the pillar at the corner of the mezzanine railing. You should now be facing west with the South Staircase to your right.
  3. The three doors on the left side of the corridor all lead to the Southwest Exhibition Gallery.
  4. Proceed forward and use caution when navigating around temporary exhibits.
  5. Continue forward through either of the three doors at the far end of the room to reach The Thomas Jefferson's Library Exhibition.
  6. The exhibition is a circular, freestanding display. You may navigate around the inside and outside of the circular exhibit, however some access to the outside of the exhibit is restricted using a rope barrier.

South Exhibition Gallery

The South Exhibition Gallery is located on the Second Floor in the southeast side of the building and is accessible from the south corridor of the Second Floor mezzanine, past the Southwest Exhibition Gallery and Thomas Jefferson’s Library Exhibition. Use caution when moving throughout exhibit spaces, as exhibits are temporary and subject to change.

Directions to South Exhibition Gallery

  1. Facing east, towards the stairs leading to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery, turn right and proceed towards the south corridor.
  2. When you reach the south corridor, turn right to navigate around the pillar at the corner of the mezzanine railing. You should now be facing west with the South Staircase to your right.
  3. The three doors on the left side of the corridor all lead to the Southwest Exhibition Gallery.
  4. Proceed forward and use caution when navigating around temporary exhibits.
  5. Continue forward through the left-most door at the far end of the room to reach The Thomas Jefferson's Library Exhibition.
  6. Once inside Thomas Jefferson's Library Exhibition, take a slight left turn to navigate around the freestanding Thomas Jefferson's Library Exhibition.
  7. Continue forward using either of the open doors to reach the South Exhibition Gallery.

Treasures Gallery

Treasures Gallery is located on the Second Floor in the southeast side of the building and is accessible from the north corridor of the Second Floor mezzanine. Use caution when moving throughout exhibit spaces, as exhibits are temporary and subject to change.

Directions to Treasures Exhibition Gallery

  1. Facing east, towards the stairs leading to the Main Reading Room Visitor Gallery, turn left and proceed down the north corridor.
  2. When you reach the north corridor, turn right to navigate around the pillar at the corner of the mezzanine railing. You should now be in the north corridor with the South Staircase to your left.
  3. The three doors on the right side of the corridor all lead to the Treasures Exhibition Gallery.

Researcher and Staff Locations of Interest

African & Middle Eastern Reading Room Researchers

The African & Middle Eastern Reading Room is located on the Second Floor in the northeast side of the building near researcher locations of interest. It is only accessible from the Researcher Stairs and Elevators on the east side of the Ground Floor. Please refer to the Ground Floor Plan Reader Card Registration and Main Reading Room section for directions to researcher locations of interest from the Ground Floor.

The following directions assume you are starting navigation from the Researcher Elevators on the Second Floor in the east side of the building.

Directions to African & Middle Eastern Reading Room

  1. After exiting the elevator, turn right and proceed forward to the end of the hall and through the doorway to reach a small waiting area.
  2. Take a slight right around a reception desk to navigate around the furniture in the waiting area and continue forward down the hall.
  3. Continue forward to the end of the hallway and through open double doors to reach the African & Middle Eastern Reading Room.

Rare Books & Special Collections Reading Room Researchers

The Rare Books & Special Collections Reading Room is on the Second Floor in the east side of the building near researcher locations of interest. It is on the same side of the hallway as the two Researcher Elevators. It is only accessible from the Researcher Stairs and Elevators on the east side of the Ground Floor. Please refer to the Ground Floor Plan Reader Card Registration and Main Reading Room section for directions to researcher locations of interest from the Ground Floor.

The following directions assume you are starting navigation from the Researcher Elevators on the Second Floor in the east side of the building.

Directions to Rare Books & Special Collections Reading Room

  1. After exiting the elevator, it may be necessary to turn right or left to navigate to The Rare Books & Special Collections Reading Room between the two elevators. If you reach a turn in the hall, you have traveled too far.
  2. The Rare Books & Special Collections Reading Room is located between the two elevators through a closed set of swinging double doors.

Hispanic Reading Room Researchers

The Hispanic Reading Room is located on the Second Floor in the east side of the building near researcher locations of interest. It is only accessible from the Researcher Stairs and Elevators on the east side of the Ground Floor. Please refer to the Ground Floor Plan Reader Card Registration and Main Reading Room section for directions to researcher locations of interest from the Ground Floor.

The following directions assume you are starting navigation from the Researcher Elevators on the Second Floor in the east side of the building.

Directions to Hispanic Reading Room

  1. After exiting the elevator, turn left and proceed forward to the end of the hallway.
  2. Continue through the doorway to reach the Hispanic Reading Room lobby.
  3. Turn left and continue forward. The Hispanic Reading Room will be on the right.
  4. Turn right to enter The Hispanic Reading Room.

European Reading Room Researchers

The European Reading Room is located on the Second Floor in the southeast side of the building, past the Hispanic Reading Room. It is only accessible from the Researcher Stairs and Elevators on the east side of the Ground Floor. Please refer to the Ground Floor Plan Reader Card Registration and Main Reading Room section for directions to researcher locations of interest from the Ground Floor.

The following directions assume you are starting navigation from the Researcher Elevators on the Second Floor in the east side of the building.

Directions to European Reading Room

  1. After exiting the elevator, turn left and proceed forward to the end of the hallway
  2. Continue through the doorway to reach the Hispanic Reading Room lobby.
  3. Turn left and continue forward. The Hispanic Reading Room will be on the right.
  4. Turn right to enter The Hispanic Reading Room and proceed forward along the right side of the room. You will pass five open work spaces to your right.
  5. Continue to the end of the right side of the room and pass through an open doorway.
  6. Continue forward to reach the open double doors to The European Reading Room.

Rosenwald Room [Staff]

The Rosenwald Room is on the Second Floor in the east side of the building near researcher locations of interest. It is across the hallway from The Rare Books & Special Collections Reading Room. This area is only reserved for staff. It is only accessible from the Researcher Stairs and Elevators on the east side of the Ground Floor. Please refer to the Ground Floor Plan Reader Card Registration and Main Reading Room section for directions to researcher locations of interest from the Ground Floor.

The following directions assume you are starting navigation from the Researcher Elevators on the Second Floor in the east side of the building. 

Directions to Rosenwald Room

  1. After exiting the elevator, it may be necessary to turn right or left to navigate to the area between the two elevators. If you reach a turn in the hall, you have traveled too far.
  2. When you reach The Rare Books & Special Collections Reading Room between the two elevators, turn to face away from the Reading Room.
  3. Walk forward to reach the Rosenwald Room on the opposite side of the hallway as The Rare Books & Special Collections Reading Room.