Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and serves as the research arm of Congress. Founded in 1800, it is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution, and its collections are designed to support lawmakers while also preserving and sharing knowledge with the public.

Over time, the Library grew into the world’s largest library. Its holdings include millions of books and other print items in hundreds of languages, along with manuscripts, photographs, maps, films, sheet music, sound recordings, and one of the world’s great legal collections.

Today, the Library of Congress is both a working research institution and a public-facing cultural resource. People can explore exhibitions, digital collections, educational materials, events, and reading rooms, making it an important place for scholarship, history, and everyday curiosity alike.