213th Anniversary of the Library of Congress

Main Reading Room, Library of Congress - loc.gov

An Act of Congress, passed on April 24, 1800 and signed by President John Adams, enabled the establishment of one of the greatest libraries in the world. The legislation originally provided $5,000 "for the purchase of such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress ..., and for fitting up a suitable apartment for containing them...." The LOC is the largest library in the world with holdings of over 150 million items located on about 838 miles of bookshelves. Its services benefit more people than just members of Congress: it runs the Talking Book program helps the blind and physically handicapped. More interesting facts about this magnificent library can be found on LOC's website, where its history and collections are detailed. The LOC page also lists the 25 most frequently asked questions, such as "Where are the books?" Well-worth checking out.



Highsmith, Carol M., 1946-, photographer - Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints & Photo. Div.

Wikipedia's list of external links on further reading about the LOC:

The Library of Congress website

American Memory

History of the Library of Congress

Library of Congress National Book Festival authors roster

poets.org (About the 2012 National Book Festival from The Academy of American Poets)

Search the Library of Congress catalog

thomas.loc.gov, legislative information

Library Of Congress Meeting Notices and Rule Changes from The Federal Register RSS Feed

Library of Congress photos on Flickr

Outdoor sculpture at the Library of Congress

Standards, The Library of Congress

Works by the Library of Congress at Project Gutenberg

Library of Congress at FamilySearch Research Wiki for genealogists

 "Congress, Library of". Encyclopedia Americana. 1920. 

C-SPAN's Library of Congress documentary and resources