Library of Congress Reading Room Hours

Note to researchers: Please be sure to check the hours of the specific reading room or center you plan to visit.

Public tours are offered at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday in the Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building. Saturday public tours are offered at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

* All Library of Congress buildings are closed on Sundays.  The Reading Rooms and the Adams and Madison buildings are closed to the public on all Federal Holidays.  Hours for visitors to the Great Hall and exhibitions vary (view visitor hours).

Building Hours
Building Abbreviations and Codes: LA = Adams Building | LJ = Jefferson Building | LM = Madison Building | § By appointment only

Reading Room / Center Mon. Tue. Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat.
African & Middle Eastern (LJ 220) 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p Closed
Asian (LJ 150) 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p
Business Reference
Services (LA 508)		 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p
Children's Literature Center (LJ 129) § 8:30a-4:30p 8:30a-4:30p 8:30a-4:30p 8:30a-4:30p 8:30a-4:30p Closed
Computer Catalog Centers (LJ 139/LA 500) 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p
Copyright Office (LM 401) 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p Closed
European (LJ249) 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p Closed
Folklife (LJ G53) 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p Closed
Geography & Map
(LM B01)		 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p Closed
Hispanic (LJ 240) 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p Closed
Law Library (LM 201) 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p
Local History &
Genealogy (LJ G42)		 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p
Main (LJ 100) 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p
Manuscript (LM 101) 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p
Microform (LJ 139B) 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p
Motion Picture & Television (LM 336) 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p Closed
  • Viewing Facilities §
    		•  8:30a-4:30p 8:30a-4:30p 8:30a-4:30p 8:30a-4:30p 8:30a-4:30p Closed
    Newspaper & Current Periodical (& Gov't Pubs.) (LM 133) 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p
    Performing Arts (Music) (LM 113) 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p
    Photoduplication Services
    (LA 120)    		 8:30a-4:45p 8:30a-4:45p 8:30a-4:45p 8:30a-4:45p 8:30a-4:45p Closed
    Prints & Photographs
    (LM 339)    		 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p Closed
    Rare Book & Special
    Collections     (LJ 239)    		 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p Closed
    Recorded Sound
    Reference Ctr.     (LM 113)    		 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p Closed
  • Listening Facilities
    		•  8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p §
    Science (LA 508) 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-9:30p 8:30a-5:00p 8:30a-5:00p

    Requesting Closed-Stack Materials
    For delivery of materials from closed stack collections, requests typically must be made at least one hour, and sometimes two hours, before the reading rooms close. Details are available in the reading rooms and on their home pages.

    Reference Collections
    Each reading room also has a reference collection that is openly available during reading room hours.

    Go to:

    Library of Congress
    Library of Congress Help Desk (December 2, 2008)