Libraries of the World: The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

The Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress is located in the Jefferson Building, one of three buildings that make up the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. It is the principal point for gaining access to the library's general collections of books and bound periodicals.

David S. Mao, the Acting Librarian of Congress, tells us that "The Library of Congress is the nation’s first established cultural institution and the largest library in the world, with millions of items including books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in its collections."

"The Library provides Congress, the federal government and the American people with a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage them and support their intellectual and creative endeavors," Mao continues in his letter of welcome on the About the Library page of the Library of Congress web site.

The Library of Congress occupies three buildings on Capitol Hill. An agency of the legislative branch of the U.S. government, the Library includes several internal divisions (or service units), including the Office of the Librarian, Congressional Research Service, U.S. Copyright Office, Law Library of Congress, Library Services, and National and International Outreach.

Today's Library of Congress is an unparalleled world resource. The collection of more than 162 million items includes more than 38.6 million cataloged books and other print materials in 470 languages; more than 70 million manuscripts; the largest rare book collection in North America; and the world's largest collection of legal materials, films, maps, sheet music and sound recordings.

For more information about the Library of Congress which is located in Washington, D.C., visit the Library of Congress web site.

The information above was taken from the Library of Congress web site.