Library of Congress Main Reading Room Open House on Presidents’ Day

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC   20540
Phone:  (202) 707-2905
Fax:  (202) 707-9199
Email: pao@loc.gov


February 11, 2011

Public contact: Visitor Services (202) 707-8000, vso@loc.gov


Main Reading Room Open House on Presidents' Day

Twice each year, the Library of Congress opens its magnificent Main Reading Room for a special public open house. The winter open house will take place on the federal Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) holiday, Monday, February 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Main Reading Room is located on the first floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street, S.E. Washington, DC.  The Main Reading Room will be open to general visitors, who will also be allowed to take pictures. Reference librarians will be available to demonstrate the Library's online resources and discuss access to the Library's vast onsite collections, including services and collections for use in family history research.    No other reference services will be available and all other Library of Congress reading rooms and buildings will be closed.

The Thomas Jefferson Building also features The Great Hall and the Library of Congress Experience, which encompasses three exhibitions, including "Creating the United States."  This exhibition offers a remarkable opportunity to learn in a fresh, new way how the founding documents that emerged from this period, such as the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, were forged out of insight, invention, and creativity, as well as collaboration and much compromise.  The Library of Congress Experience provides innovative access to rare cultural treasures in ways that inspire and engage.   

Unreserved guided tours of the Thomas Jefferson Building will be offered at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Public tours, which are limited to 40 people, are designed to accommodate individuals and families, not large groups. More information about the Library or tours is available at the orientation desks at www.loc.gov/visit/ or by calling (202) 707-8000.

The Library of Congress, the nation's oldest federal cultural institution, is the world's preeminent reservoir of knowledge, providing unparalleled integrated resources to Congress and the American people. Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library's rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov and via interactive exhibitions on a personalized website at myLOC.gov.

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PR 11-30
02/11/10
ISSN: 0731-3527