Information for Researchers

Using the Hispanic Reading Room in the Library of Congress

Personal Items and Security

Most of the Library's reading rooms restrict the type of personal belongings that researchers can bring with them. This is done to enhance the security of the Library's collections, and to ensure that an atmosphere fostering research is maintained in the reading rooms. In June 1998, the Library implemented new restrictions on the personal belongings that researchers can bring with them into the Main Reading Room. Policies differ for the various reading rooms, with some requiring that researchers store all personal items before entering the reading room. Researchers should consult the various reading room home pages for more details. A cloakroom for researchers is provided on the ground floor of the Jefferson Building in Room LJ G39G. This cloakroom is open from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; and from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Bear in mind that the Hispanic Reading Room closes at 5:00 pm on all days. You may however, continue your research in other parts of the Library if those reading rooms are open. Another cloakroom, located near the 1st Street carriage entrance on the ground floor of the Jefferson Building, is open Mondays through Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. A cloakroom in the Madison Building adjacent to the Reader Registration Station in LM 140 is open from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; and from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Some reading rooms (such as the Rare Book Room adjacent to the Hispanic Reading Room) also provide lockers for researchers to secure their belongings.

Individuals should limit the amount of personal property they bring into the Library. Persons entering the Library do so with the understanding that all property in their possession, including (but not limited to) suitcases, briefcases, attache cases, handbags, large envelopes, packages, and office equipment, will be inspected by the Library Police. There will be a similar inspection upon departure.