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Home , Library of Congress

Visitor’s Guide

Entrances Security (entry and exit procedures) Cloakroom The occupies three buildings on Capitol All visitors entering any Library building must pass The Library has three cloakrooms Hill. The Experience is located through airport-like security. All belongings will be throughout the campus. The Cloakroom in the Jefferson Building, which is directly east of screened by an x-ray machine and each individual designated for visitors is located on the the U.S. Capitol Building. The visitors’ entrance is will pass through a metal detector. All those exiting Ground Floor of the Jefferson Building. It through the Main Doors at the top of the Grand any Library building must pass through an is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staircase facing First Street, SE between electronic theft detection system and open all bags, Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street. etc., for inspection. Visitor Guidelines Visitors to the Library of Congress are Accessibility Metro asked to follow some general guidelines The Library buildings are fully accessible and we The closest Metro Stations are Capitol South provide wheelchairs during your visit. The ADA (Blue/Orange line - a 2 block walk) or Union  Please dispose of all food, drink, and entrance for visitors to the Jefferson Building is at Station chewing gum, and turn off cell phones the Driveway level below the Grand Staircase. (Red line - a half mile walk). and other electronic devices before touring the Library. Visit us Parking Building The Library does not provide parking. Limited  Be prepared to pass through airport-like 10 First Street S.E. metered and 2-hour zoned parking is available in security as you enter the Library and to , DC 20540 the surrounding neighborhoods. Public Parking lots present all packages, purses, backpacks, are also available, with the largest being at Union etc., for inspection as you exit. 1st street SE, between Independence Avenue and Station. East Capital Street  Please do not block doorways, stairwells, Admissions and Ticketing or corridors or sit on stairs or floors. Hours Admission to the Library is free and no tickets are Seating is provided throughout the Thomas Jefferson Building – The Library of required for admission. building. Congress Experience Monday – Saturday Tours  Please watch your step. Always use 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m The Library of Congress offers hour-long, fully handrails when ascending and descending accessible docent-led tours of the historic Thomas stairs. Memorial Building Jefferson Building. During your tour you will learn Monday – Friday about the Building’s symbolic art and architecture  Please respect any areas that may be 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m and view the grandeur of the Main Reading Room. roped off. Check in is at the ground floor information desk. Building Guided tours are not required to visit the Library.  Please observe restrictions on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday You are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the photography. 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m Great Hall and Exhibitions. Tuesday, Friday, Saturday  Only researchers may enter the Library’s 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m Tour Schedule: Monday – Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Reading Rooms. 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.*

All buildings are closed to the public on Sundays, *no 3:30 p.m. tour on Saturdays and first tour is at  In the event of an emergency, please Thanksgiving Day, Day and New Year's 9:30 a.m. on Federal Holidays. Please check at move towards the nearest exit and follow Day. The Madison and Adams buildings are closed Ground Floor tour desk for tour availability. police and emergency staff directions. all other federal holidays.

Shop

Hours for researchers may vary. Please visit The Library of Congress Shop offers unique items  Chaperones must remain with student groups at all times. The Library asks that http://www.loc.gov/rr/hours.html . from the Library’s wide collection, which includes exhibit related items, facsimiles, souvenirs, prints one adult accompany every eight students.

Upon arrival and photographs, and books for the whole family. Begin a visit to the Library of Congress is the Come share the gift of knowledge and support the Questions? Contact us… Visitor Information: Thomas Jefferson Building. You will enter the Library’s mission of preservation and education! building through the main doors at the top of the (202) 707-8000 or [email protected] grand staircase, facing 1st street S.E. Upon arrival, The Library of Congress Shop visitors can request information on the new Library Location: Thomas Jefferson Building, Ground Floor of Congress Experience, tours and exhibitions, pick Hours: Monday–Saturday 9:30a.m. – 5:00p.m.; up a passport to knowledge; as well as the many 8:30a.m. – 4:00p.m. on holidays. (202) 707-3895 public programs that the Library sponsors.

LS/VSO 11.2010