January 17, 2018 Semiannual Main Reading Room Open House Postponed; Restricted Access over Presidents Day Weekend

Due to essential building and systems maintenance, the James Madison Memorial Building, the John Adams Building, all Library of Congress reading rooms and the Library Shop will be closed to the public and researchers on Saturday, Feb. 17.

The Thomas Jefferson Building, which houses the Main Reading Room and also features the incomparable Great Hall and the Library of Congress exhibitions, will remain open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Jefferson Building is located at 10 First St., S.E., Washington, D.C.

 Also due to essential maintenance, the Main Reading Room open house scheduled for Monday, Feb. 19, at the Library of Congress has been postponed.  Twice each year, the Library of Congress opens the room to share information about how the public can access the Library’s resources year-round. The first open house of this year will be held on the Memorial Day holiday, Monday, May 28. The Jefferson Building, the Great Hall and exhibitions will remain open to the public on Feb. 19. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Unreserved guided tours of the Thomas Jefferson Building will be offered throughout the holiday weekend.  On Saturday, Feb. 17, tours will occur at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.  Hourly tours beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m. will occur on Monday, Feb. 19.  All tours begin on the ground floor and are designed to accommodate individuals and families in groups of 10 or fewer on a first-come, first-served basis.  Larger groups may not join the unreserved tours, but may obtain brochures and information about visiting the Jefferson Building on their own. 

More information about the Library and the exhibitions is available at the information desks, at www.loc.gov/visit/ or by calling (202) 707-8000. Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 or [email protected].

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States—and extensive materials from around the world—both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov, and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.