James Madison Memorial Buidling - Library of Congress

    Opened in 1980, measuring 500 feet wide and 400 feet deep, the Madison Building is the largest library structure in the world. (It encompasses 1.5 million square feet of space.) The Madison Building serves both as the Library's third major structure and as this nation's official memorial to President James Madison. The undecorated colonnades attempt to echo classical columns while remaining faithful to canons of modern design.

    The building holds book storage areas, conservation laboratories, reading rooms, exhibit areas, a theater and office space. It is one of the three largest buildings in Washington, DC (along with the Pentagon and FBI Buildings).

    This official Architect of the Capitol photograph is being made available for educational, scholarly, news or personal purposes (not advertising or any other commercial use). When any of these images is used the photographic credit line should read “Architect of the Capitol.” These images may not be used in any way that would imply endorsement by the Architect of the Capitol or the United States Congress of a product, service or point of view. For more information visit www.aoc.gov.

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