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Our collections are the largest in the world and represent a wide variety of physical formats and languages. Library of Congress staff are able to help you identify and request materials in general and specialized reading rooms. Anyone 16 years or older can come in to use the Library (learn more about how to obtain a free Reader Identification Card). We invite you to explore our resources, both online and at the Library.

Video Tutorials

• Ask a Librarian at the Library of Congress
• Pregúntele a un bibliotecario o una bibliotecaria en la Biblioteca del Congreso (Servisio de "Ask a Librarian")
• View ALL video tutorials

Many resources can be found by searching the Library of Congress Online Catalog. To locate reading rooms and librarians who can help with your research, see the list of reference and research areas below. 

Each reading room has a web page and introductory materials.General and specialized orientations are also available. And you can always ask a librarian by selecting the "question mark" icon on each reading room's home page or by selecting the reading room's icon below.

GENERAL COLLECTIONS

Books, pamphlets, journals, newspapers and other serial publications.

Main Reading Room General Information and Tutorials Virtual Programs and Services	Business Locating Business & Economics Information Overview of the Business Collections
Children's Literature Children's Literature Home Page About the Children's Literature Collections	Law Library Law Library Home Page Visiting the Law Library
Local History & Genealogy Local History & Genealogy Home Page Getting started in Local History and Genealogy	Newspaper & Current Periodical Newspaper & Current Periodical Home Page About Serial and Government Publications
Science & Technology About Science Reference Services Prepare for Your Visit

INTERNATIONAL COLLECTIONS

More than 470 languages are represented in the Library's global collections.

African & Middle Eastern Illustrated Guides to the Collections Using the Reading Room	Asian Overview of the Asian Collections Procedures for Use of Rare Materials
European Reference Assistance and Contacts Collections Overviews by Country	Hispanic Plan Your Research Visit to the Reading Room Orientations to the Hispanic Division

SPECIAL FORMAT COLLECTIONS

Photographs, maps, music, sound, film, manuscripts, and other media.

American Folklife Center Doing research in the Archive of Folk Culture Finding Aids - Archive of Folk Culture	Geography & Map Geography & Map Division Finding Aids Online Reference Policies
Manuscript Using the Collections Manuscript Division Finding Aids Online	Microform The Collections Policies and Services
Moving Image Researching LC Moving Image Holdings Viewing Films, Videos, and Digital Files	Performing Arts Performing Arts Home Page Tours and Orientations
Prints & Photographs Top Tips for Successful Research Information for Researchers	Rare Book & Special Collections Rare Book & Special Collections Using the Rare Book and Special Collections
Recorded Sound Doing Research in the Recorded Sound Collections Guidelines for Listening to Sound Recordings	Veterans History Project Researching Veterans' Collections Search the Veterans History Project Database

If you still need help after consulting these pages, please contact us using Ask a Librarian, so we can help point you in the right direction!