About the Library
Welcome Message from the Librarian of Congress
The Library of Congress is the nation’s first established cultural institution and the largest library in the world, with millions of items including books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in its collections.
The Library provides Congress, the federal government and the American people with a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage them and support their intellectual and creative endeavors.
As the Acting Librarian of Congress, I welcome you to this vast online treasure trove of materials and services. Whether you wish to explore the collections online, seek legislative information, register a copyright, access programs or plan a visit, I am glad you are here and invite you to return often.
Sincerely,
David S. Mao
Acting Librarian of Congress
Strategic Plan
Download the 2016-2020 Library of Congress Strategic Plan.
Library Organization
An agency of the legislative branch of the U.S. government, the Library of Congress encompasses several integral service units, listed below. Download a current Library of Congress organizational chart.
Office of the Librarian
The Office of the Librarian is the administrative branch of the Library of Congress and has overall management responsibility for the Library. It sets policy and directs and supports programs and activities to accomplish the Library’s mission.
Congressional Research Service
CRS exclusively serves Congress by providing confidential, objective and authoritative research and analysis to help inform the legislative debate.
Copyright Office
The mission of the U.S. Copyright Office is to administer the Nation’s copyright laws for the advancement of the public good.
Law Library
Congress established its Law Library in 1832, recognizing its need for ready access to reliable legal materials. The Law Library has grown over the years to become the world’s largest law library, with a collection of over three million volumes spanning the ages and covering virtually every jurisdiction in the world.
Library Services
The mission of Library Services is to develop qualitatively the Library's universal collections, which document the history and further the creativity of the American people and which record and contribute to the advancement of civilization and knowledge throughout the world, and to acquire, organize, provide access to, maintain, secure, and preserve these collections.
National and International Outreach
National and International Outreach manages the public facing programs and activities of the Library of Congress with the mission of broadening awareness and use of the Library and its resources through outreach and external partnerships.
Other Offices
Other offices that operate independently of individual service units but are within the Library's organizational structure are listed here.