For historical perspective about the Library of Congress and the development of its international collections, the Center for the Book suggests the following:

Bruno, Leonard C. The Tradition of Science: Landmarks of Western Science in the Collections of the Library of Congress. Washington: Library of Congress, 1987.

Bruno, Leonard C. The Tradition of Technology: Landmarks of Western Technology in the Collections of the Library of Congress. Washington: Library of Congress, 1995.

Campbell, Joseph. Myths to Live By. New York: Viking, 1972.

Cole, John Y. Jefferson's Legacy: A Brief History of the Library of Congress. Washington : Library of Congress, 1993.

Conaway, James. America's Library: The Story of the Library of Congress 1800-2000. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2000.

Goodrum, Charles A. Treasures of the Library of Congress. Rev. ed. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1991.

Hamilton., Virginia. In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1988.

Library of Congress African and Middle Eastern Collections: An Illustrated Guide. Washington: Library of Congress, 2001.

Library of Congress Asian Collections: An Illustrated Guide. Washington: Library of Congress, 2000.

Library of Congress European Collections: An Illustrated Guide. Washington: Library of Congress, 1995.

Library of Congress Hispanic and Portuguese Collections: An Illustrated Guide. Washington, : Library of Congress, 1996.

Library of Congress Rare Book and Special Collections: An Illustrated Guide. Washington : Library of Congress, 1992.