Visiting the Library
We’re so excited to welcome you back to the Library of Congress. We continue to take precautions to ensure the health of our visitors, staff and volunteers, including requirements that all visitors reserve a timed-entry pass and remain socially distanced from individuals outside of their party during their visit. We encourage you to take a moment to review our Know Before You Go page to prepare for a safe and enjoyable visit.
Entry and Visiting
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Every Library of Congress visitor must reserve timed-entry passes in order to maintain safe capacity levels in the Thomas Jefferson Building.
Reserve your timed entry pass external link
Review our Know Before You Go guide for current Library safety and visiting requirements.
Pathways
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The Library is pleased to share a digital pathway through the Thomas Jefferson Building for your self-guided experience. Guided tours are not available at this time.
The Library is a place where you can follow your curiosity – in addition to the digital guide, roaming volunteers are available to share information and answer your questions while you are on-site.
Concerts, Lectures & Other Events
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Check out the Library’s Calendar of Public Events for upcoming program opportunities, both onsite and online. You can stay in touch and learn more about the Library’s resources on Facebook external link and Instagram external link, and Twitter external link.
Exhibitions
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Visit our virtual exhibitions page to learn about the collections that will be on display for your visit. Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words closes on May 31, 2022 – be sure to enjoy these rarely seen materials before the exhibition closes.
Reading Rooms
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Access to Reading Rooms is currently limited to credentialed researchers. Interested in becoming a researcher at the Library of Congress? Learn more about resources available to researchers and registering for a Reader Identification Card. Have a research question? We encourage you to contact a Library specialist through our Ask a Librarian portal.
Shopping
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The Library Shop is open Wednesday-Saturday, 10a.m.- 4p.m. Visit our Online Store on Shopify external link to browse our vast selection of gifts. See the latest arrivals in our 2022 Spring Look Book external link and shop Cherry Blossoms, Not an Ostrich and more.
Visitor Hours
Beginning April 5, 2022, the Thomas Jefferson Building is open to visitors every Tuesday through Saturday. Daily hours are listed below:
- Tuesday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Wednesday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Thursday | 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., last entry at 8:00 p.m.
- Friday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Saturday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Note: With the exception of Thursdays, last entry at 4:30 p.m.
Closed Sundays, Mondays, Thanksgiving, & Christmas
All visitors must reserve timed-entry passes external link in advance. A limited number of same-day passes are made available each open day at 9:00 a.m. An individual can reserve up to ten timed-entry passes for their visit.
Admission
The Library of Congress is free and open to the public with timed-entry passes. Reserve your timed-entry pass external link today
Location
Thomas Jefferson Building
10 First Street SE
Washington, DC 20540
Groups
Groups larger than 10 must contact [email protected] prior to reserving passes. Group reservations may be made up to 60 days in advance.
Visitor Information
Our Visitor Engagement Office team is here to help you plan your visit. Please contact us at (202) 707-9779 or [email protected] with your questions.
Accessibility
Library of Congress buildings are fully accessible. Please indicate any ADA related needs at least five days in advance of your visit by contacting [email protected] or (202) 707-6362.