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Notice
Wednesday, January 28, 2026: Due to inclement weather, The Library will open the reading rooms to researchers at 9:30 AM following the one (1) hour delayed arrival for staff.

Services & Programs

Learn how the Library of Congress collects, preserves & provides access to its universal collections. Get the free tools and standards used by libraries, archives, and publishers.

Services

  • Acquisitions

    Discover how the Library of Congress acquires materials for its collections and for other research institutions.

  • Archival Description

    Search & browse examples, standards, and help for creating catalog records and finding aids for discovery and use of personal papers, organizational records, and other archival collections.

  • Ask a Librarian

    Have a research question? Need help using the Library? Get expert assistance from librarians & research subject specialists.

  • Cataloging, Classification

    The Library's cataloging services include search vocabularies, classification, policy, products, training & cooperative programs.

  • Cooperative Cataloging Programs

    The Library is committed to cooperative cataloging to benefit the world-wide library community. Shared standards & policies enable efficiencies & data sharing on a global scale.

  • Copyright

    The U.S. Copyright Office, a department of the Library, administers the Nation’s copyright laws and offers services and support to authors and users of creative works.

  • Duplication Services

    Providing digital, microfilm & paper copies, as well as custom reproductions for a fee from the Library’s collections.

  • Federal Research Division

    The Federal Research Division provides customized products and services using the Library’s extensive English and foreign-language collections on a cost-recovery basis.

  • Interlibrary Loan

    Your local library can borrow materials from the Library of Congress on your behalf. Here's how.

  • Law Library

    Comprehensive research & reference service to Congress & the public on foreign, comparative, international & U.S. law.

  • Library Card (Reader Registration)

    Here's how you can get your Library-issued Reader Identification Card & begin research here in Washington, D.C.

  • Library Standards

    The Library and associated organizations maintain key technical standards used in the library community.

  • Linked Data Service

    Access and download controlled vocabularies & authorities useful for describing and indexing information resources.

  • Preservation

    Learn about the research, science & collaboration involved in preserving the Library's collections.

  • Publishing

    Resources for publishers, editors & the public interested in Library publications and co-publishing opportunities.

  • Resource Description & Access

    Information on RDA implementation, including cataloging policy, practices, training & more.

Research & Reference

Programs

  • American Archive of Public Broadcasting External

    A collaboration with GBH in Boston, preserving local and national public television and radio programs from the past 70 years and making them available online.

  • American Folklife Center

    Preserving & presenting traditional songs, personal stories, regional culture & other aspects of American folklife.

  • By the People

    Volunteer online with By the People. Transcribe, review & tag digitized material to make documents more searchable for everyone.

  • Center for the Book

    Promoting books, reading, libraries & literacy through its national center in Washington & its affiliated centers across the country.

  • Concerts

    Free performances by extraordinary artists in classical, jazz, folk & other genres.

  • Copyright Royalty Board

    Overseeing statutory licenses of copyright law, setting rates & determining distribution of royalties.

  • Digital Preservation

    Promoting and supporting best practices for the management of digital collections and services.

  • FEDLINK

    Serving federal libraries & information centers as their purchasing, training & resource-sharing consortium.

  • John W. Kluge Center

    Giving scholars access to the Library’s collections & engaging them in conversation with public policy leaders.

  • Library of Congress Literacy Awards

    Honoring organizations that have made outstanding contributions to increasing literacy in the United States or abroad.

  • National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled

    Free braille, talking book & other audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the U.S.

  • Poetry & Literature Center

    Home of the U.S. Poet Laureate with information on poetry & literature readings & events.

  • Veterans History Project

    Collecting, preserving & presenting the personal accounts of American war veterans.