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Basement

James Madison Memorial Building, Basement

Basement Floor Overview

The building is rectangular. The north side of the building is parallel to Independence Ave. The south side of the building is parallel to C St SE. The building is separated into four color-coordinated cores with an additional core for the center of the building. The Blue Core is to the northeast, the Red Core is to the southeast, the Yellow Core is to the southwest, the Green Core is to the northwest, and the Bronze Core is in the center. The hallways widen where colored cores meet. There are elevators, stairs, and restrooms in each core of the building.

The directions to locations of interest assume you are standing just outside the elevators in the Bronze Core facing east. Please refer to the Elevators and Stairs section for directions to locate the Bronze Core elevators from the Main Entrance. In the directions below, symbols are placed after certain location names to indicate closure and restriction updates.

These directions were last updated August 2024

Entrances and Exits

Visitor Entrance

The Basement Floor does not have its own entrance from the exterior of the building. Please refer to the Ground Floor Plan and First Floor Plan directions to locate entrances and exits from the exterior of the building. There are elevators and stairs in each core of the building that grant access to the Basement Floor.

Tunnel to Cannon House Office Building [Staff]

The Tunnel to Cannon House Office Building is located on the Basement Floor in the northwest corner of the building. This area is reserved for staff. Visitors must be accompanied by a staff member with I.D. Please refer to the Researcher and Staff Locations of Interest section for directions to the Tunnel to Cannon House Office Building.

Reader Card Registration

Navigation to Reader Card Registration

Reader Card Registration is located on the First Floor in the Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room. Please refer to the First Floor Plan Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room section for directions to Reader Card Registration.

Restrooms

Men’s and Women’s restrooms are located in each core of every floor in the building. Wheelchair accessible restrooms on the Basement Floor are located in the Blue Core and Yellow Core in the northeast and southwest corners of the building. On weekends, use the restrooms in the Blue Core and Bronze Core only.

Bronze Core Restrooms [ Men’s] [ Women’s]

The Bronze Core Restrooms are located on each floor in the center of the building near the Bronze Core Elevators.

Directions to Bronze Core Restrooms

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the other side of the room. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Turn left when you reach the hall and proceed forward. Turn right to enter the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
  • Step 3: The restrooms will be immediately to your right. The Men’s Restroom is first, followed by the Women’s Restroom.

Blue Core Restrooms [ Wheelchair Accessible Wheelchair Access] [ Men’s] [ Women’s]

The Blue Core Restrooms are located on each floor in the northeast corner of the building across from the Blue Core elevators and next to the Blue Core Stairs.

Directions to Blue Core Restrooms

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the other side of the room. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Turn left and proceed forward. Turn right to enter the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
  • Step 3: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
  • Step 4: Take the first right after the wider section.
  • Step 5: Continue forward. The Men’s Restroom is on the right, followed by the Women’s Restroom.

Red Core Restrooms [ Men’s] [ Women’s]

The Red Core Restrooms are located on each floor in the southeast corner of the building across from the Red Core Elevators and next to the Red Core Stairs.

Directions to Red Core Restrooms

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the other side of the room. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Turn left and proceed forward. Turn right to enter the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
  • Step 3: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
  • Step 4: Take the first right after the wider section.
  • Step 5: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Blue Core meets the Red Core.
  • Step 6: The Men’s Restroom is on the right, followed by the Women’s Restroom.

Yellow Core Restrooms [ Wheelchair Accessible Wheelchair Access] [ Men’s] [ Women’s]

The Yellow Core Restrooms are located on each floor in the southwest corner of the building across from the Yellow Core Elevators and next to the Yellow Core Stairs.

Directions to Yellow Core Restrooms

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
  • Step 3: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
  • Step 4: Take the first left after the wider section.
  • Step 5: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Green Core meets the Yellow Core.
  • Step 6: The Men’s Restroom is on the left, followed by the Women’s Restroom.

Green Core Restrooms [ Men’s] [ Women’s]

The Green Core Restrooms are located on each floor in the northwest corner of the building across from the Green Core Elevators and next to the Green Core Stairs.

Directions to Green Core Restrooms

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
  • Step 3: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
  • Step 4: Take the first left after the wider section.
  • Step 5: Continue forward. The Men’s Restroom is on the left, followed by the Women’s Restroom.

Services and Security

All visitors must be screened by security immediately upon entering the building through any entrance. Researchers and Staff entering through a Researchers entrance will be asked to present their I.D. badge or Reader Card. Please refer to Services and Security for directions to the Security and Screening process.

If you will need accommodations for a future visit, please request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at 202-707-6362 or email ADA@loc.gov. If you need assistance the day of your visit, please ask an officer at the Security screening for assistance.

Elevators and Stairs

Bronze Core Elevators [Elevator]

The Bronze Core Elevators are located on each floor in the center of the building.

Directions to Bronze Core Elevators

  • Step 1: After passing through security at the Main Entrance on the First Floor, continue forward, passing a hallway to your right.
  • Step 2: Take the next right to reach the elevators. There will be three elevators to the north and three elevators to the south.

Blue Core Elevators and Stairs [Elevator] [Stairs]

The Blue Core Elevators and Stairs are located on each floor in the northeast corner of the building near the Blue Core Restrooms.

Directions to Blue Core Elevators

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the other side of the room. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Turn left and proceed forward. Turn right to enter the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
  • Step 3: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
  • Step 4: Take the first right after the wider section.
  • Step 5: Continue forward. The entrance to the Blue Core Elevators is first the opening on the left.

Directions to Blue Core Stairs

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the other side of the room. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Turn left and proceed forward. Turn right to enter the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
  • Step 3: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
  • Step 4: Take the first right after the wider section.
  • Step 5: Continue forward. The door to the Blue Core Stairs will be on the right.

Red Core Elevators and Stairs [Elevator] [Stairs]

The Red Core Elevators and Stairs are located on each floor in the southeast corner of the building near the Red Core Restrooms.

Directions to Red Core Elevators

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the other side of the room. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Turn left and proceed forward. Turn right to enter the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
  • Step 3: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
  • Step 4: Take the first right after the wider section.
  • Step 5: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Blue Core meets the Red Core.
  • Step 6: Continue forward. The entrance to the Red Core Elevators is first the opening on the left.

Directions to Red Core Stairs

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Proceed forward until you reach the other side of the room. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Turn left and proceed forward. Turn right to enter the hallway leading to the Blue Core.
  • Step 3: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Blue Core.
  • Step 4: Take the first right after the wider section.
  • Step 5: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Blue Core meets the Red Core.
  • Step 7: The door to the Red Core Stairs will be on the right.

Yellow Core Elevators and Stairs [Elevator] [Stairs]

The Yellow Core Elevators and Stairs are located on each floor in the southwest corner of the building near the Yellow Core Restrooms.

Directions to Yellow Core Elevators

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
  • Step 3: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
  • Step 4: Take the first left after the wider section.
  • Step 5: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Green Core meets the Yellow Core.
  • Step 6: Continue forward. The entrance to the Yellow Core Elevators is the first opening on the right.

Directions to Yellow Core Stairs

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
  • Step 3: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
  • Step 4: Take the first left after the wider section.
  • Step 5: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Green Core meets the Yellow Core.
  • Step 6: The door to the Yellow Core Stairs will be on the left.

Green Core Elevators and Stairs [Elevator] [Stairs]

The Green Core Elevators and Stairs are located on each floor in the northwest corner of the building near the Green Core Restrooms.

Directions to Green Core Elevators

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
  • Step 3: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
  • Step 4: Take the first left after the wider section.
  • Step 5: Continue forward. The entrance to the Green Core Elevators is the first opening on the right.

Directions to Green Core Stairs

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
  • Step 3: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
  • Step 4: Take the first left after the wider section.
  • Step 5: Continue forward. The door to the Green Core Stairs will be on the left.

Visitor Locations of Interest

Surplus Books Program

The Surplus Books Program is located on the Basement Floor in the north side of the building between the Bronze Core and Green Core.

Directions to Surplus Books Program

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
  • Step 3: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed to the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core. The Surplus Books Program is the door on the left side of the wider section of hallway.

Researcher and Staff Locations of Interest

Geography and Map Room [Researchers Researcher]

The Geography and Map Room is located on the Basement Floor in the north side of the building. There are several freestanding displays in the Bronze Core just outside the Geography and Map Room. Please note that coats and bags will need to be stored in provided lockers with assistance from staff.

Directions to Geography and Map Room

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Proceed forward to the end of the room. Turn right and continue forward to reach the entrance to the Geography and Map Room on your left.

Tunnel to Cannon House Office Building [Staff]

The Tunnel to Cannon House Office Building is located on the Basement Floor in the northwest corner of the building. This area is only reserved for staff. Visitors and staff must be accompanied by a staff member with I.D.

Directions to Tunnel to Cannon House Office Building

  • Step 1: Stand in the elevator lobby for the Bronze Core elevators, facing east so that elevators are to your left and right. Turn left as you exit the lobby. Be cautious of freestanding displays when navigating.
  • Step 2: Proceed forward and take a left to enter the hallway leading to the Green Core.
  • Step 3: Continue forward down the hallway. Proceed past the wider section where the Bronze Core meets the Green Core.
  • Step 4: Continue forward down this hallway until you reach an open set of double doors. Proceed through security.
  • Step 5: The security desk and book detector will be on the right side of this hallway. Please follow all instructions from the security personnel.
  • Step 6: Continue forward to reach the Cannon House Office Building.