Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the de facto national library of the United States and the research arm of the United States Congress.

Library of Congress
the word "library" in bold, narrow letters, with "library of congress" to its left in small orange type
Flag of the United States Library of Congress 2.svg
Flag of the Library of Congress
EstablishedApril 24, 1800; 224 years ago (1800-04-24)
LocationWashington, D.C., U.S.
Coordinates38°53′19″N 77°00′17″W / 38.88861°N 77.00472°W / 38.88861; -77.00472Coordinates: 38°53′19″N 77°00′17″W / 38.88861°N 77.00472°W / 38.88861; -77.00472
BranchesN/A
Collection
SizeMore than 38 million books and other printed materials, 3.6 million recordings, 14 million photographs, 5.5 million maps, 8.1 million pieces of sheet music and 70 million manuscripts, 5,711 incunabula, and 122,810,430 items in the nonclassified (special) collections:
more than 167,000,000 total items[1]
Access and use
CirculationLibrary does not publicly circulate
Population servedThe 535 members of the United States Congress, their staff, and the American citizenry.
Other information
Budget$684,040,000[2]
DirectorCarla Hayden (Librarian of Congress)
Staff3,105[2]
WebsiteLoC.gov

The head of the Library is the Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.[3]

Roles

The primary function of the Library of Congress is to serve the Congress. The Library welcomes public use of its general reference facilities and endeavors to offer the widest possible use of its collections consistent with their preservation and with its obligation to serve the Congress and other government agencies.The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections. The Library is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office.Libraries are important cornerstones of a healthy community. ... College students often use the library when they are home for the weekend or for holidays. And the reference resources in public libraries are usually unavailable elsewhere in the community. The library is a unique and valuable resource.

Gallery

Library Of Congress Media

References

  1. "Fascinating Facts". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "2017 Annual Report of the Librarian of Congress" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  3. About the Librarian | Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/about/about-the-librarian/. Retrieved 2017-04-12. 

Other websites