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General Information

• About the Library
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More Library Resources

• American Folklife Center
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• Copyright Royalty Board
• Kluge Center
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• Poetry
• Research Centers

Library Tours

The Library of Congress offers hour-long, fully accessible docent-led tours of the historic Thomas Jefferson Building. During your tour you will learn about the Building’s symbolic art and architecture and view the grandeur of the Main Reading Room. Professionally trained docents tell the story of the Library—America’s oldest cultural institution—by talking about its history, its collections (including the Gutenberg Bible), and the services provided to Congress and the nation.

Public Tours

For individuals and families.

Schedule:  Monday – Saturday, 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm*
*no 3:30pm tour on Saturdays

• No reservations or tickets required
• Information available at the Orientation Desks

Reserved Group Tours

For pre-reserved groups of 12 to 60 participants from organizations and schools (fifth-grade level and above). 

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, subject to availability. 

• Advance reservations required.
• Arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of a tour in order to clear entrance security.

Reserve a Group Tour

Constituent Tours

Constituents may make reservations for tours by contacting their Congressional representatives (see: www.house.gov or www.senate.gov). Constituent tours are offered Monday through Friday.

Professional Visitor Programs

The Library of Congress hosts professional visitors from around the world including library science students, librarians and information technology specialists from other national libraries, and professionals from fields ranging from government to medicine to the arts. Requests for a Professional Program should be made at least a month in advance by contacting the Visitor Services Office. Please include the following information in your request:

• date and time of the requested visit
• number of participants
• names
• titles
• affiliations
• specific interests of the visitors

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Last Updated: 04/10/2008