U.S. Library of Congress

The Library of Congress (LOC). The official research library of the United States Congress and the de facto national library of the United States. Established in 1800, it is the oldest federal cultural institution in the nation.

The LOC‘s collections are vast and diverse, including:

– Over 32 million catalogued books in 470 languages
– More than 61 million manuscripts
– The largest rare book collection in North America
– Extensive collections of maps, sheet music, and sound recordings

The library is open for academic research to anyone with a Reader Identification Card. While items cannot be removed from the premises, the LOC serves as a “library of last resort” for interlibrary loans. In 2017, the library began developing a reader’s card for children under sixteen.

Beyond its role as a library, the LOC:

– Serves as the research arm of Congress
– Administers the U.S. Copyright Office
– Provides leadership in bibliographic and preservation standards

The Library of Congress Classification system is widely used in research and academic libraries worldwide. It organizes materials into 21 basic classes, each identified by a single letter of the alphabet.

The LOC has embraced digital technologies, offering online access to many of its resources and exhibitions. This includes digitized collections, virtual tours, and educational programs accessible to the public worldwide.