Using the Reading Room

The Archive of Folk Culture is the nation's archive of traditional life. It was originally founded as the Archive of American Folk Song at the Library in 1928. In 1978 it became part of the American Folklife Center and was subsequently renamed the Archive of Folk Culture. Today the Archive includes millions of photographs, manuscripts, audio recordings, and moving images documenting traditional culture from around the world, including the earliest field recordings made in the 1890s on wax cylinder through recordings made using digital technology.

The Folklife Research Center is located on the ground floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building, Room LJ-G31. We strongly advise that you contact reference staff a minimum of one week before your visit to allow time to locate collection materials and to provide you with any additional information you might need. Arrangements must be made to access unprocessed materials or materials stored offsite. Our hours are M-F, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m, except Federal Holidays, and you can make an appointment here (optional). For more information on accessing and using collections, please consult this research guide.

Users of the AFC Research Center are required to have a Reader Identification Card issued by the Library. Cards are free and can be obtained by completing a registration process and presenting a valid driver's license, state-issued identification card, or passport. Researchers must be 16 and above years of age at time of registration.