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Notice
Monday, February 16, 2026: For the President's Day holiday, The Library will open under normal operating hours.

Visiting the Library

We’re excited to welcome you to the Library of Congress. Free timed-entry tickets are required to enter the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building.

How do I get a free timed-entry ticket?
Reserve free timed-entry tickets online before your visit to the Library. Tickets are available 30 days in advance.

Free same-day tickets will be made available online each day at 9 a.m. ET.

We encourage you to take a moment to review our Know Before You Go page to prepare for a safe and enjoyable visit.

Visitor Hours *

  • Monday: closed *
  • Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: closed

Last entry for visitors is 30 minutes prior to closing.

* Note: Library of Congress reading rooms are available to researchers on a different schedule, including regular hours on Mondays. See this page for reading room hours.

All screenings at the Packard Campus in Culpeper, Virginia are free and seating is on a walk-in basis. It is not necessary to reserve a timed-entry ticket for screenings at the Packard Campus. Learn more about the Packard Campus Theater

Entry and Visiting

  • As part of a greater congestion management strategy, free timed-entry tickets are required to enter the Library.

    Individuals can reserve up to 20 free timed-entry tickets here.

    Groups of 21 people or more must request free timed-entry tickets by completing our group registration form.

    Visitation peaks at the Library from March through July - during this time, expect longer than normal wait times to navigate security screening to enter the building.

Experience the Main Reading Room

  • The Library of Congress welcomes visitors to join short, 5-minute walkthroughs around the center desk of the grand Main Reading Room. Usually reserved for credentialed researchers, this special access offers visitors a glimpse inside one of Washington’s most beautiful spaces.

    The Main Reading Room is available to view on the first floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building Tuesday – Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Visitors are also welcome to view the space on Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. A limited number of free tickets to join the walkthroughs are available in the Great Hall on a first-come, first-served basis starting 10 minutes before the program begins. Please review the bag policies. School groups are not permitted.

Exhibitions

  • Visit our exhibitions page to find current exhibitions on display, including the most current theme in our new Treasures gallery.

Shopping

  • Visit the Library Store on the First Floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday- Saturday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Thursday’s from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Visit the Online Store on Shopify to browse a wide selection of Library-themed gifts and apparel.

Visitor Hours

The Thomas Jefferson Building is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Note: Last visitor entry is at 4:30 p.m.

Closed: Sundays, Mondays, and select federal holidays

Free timed-entry tickets are required for entry.

Groups

Groups of 21 or more people should request their free timed-entry tickets by filling out the group registration form. Group reservations may be made up to 60 days in advance. Contact GroupVisits@loc.gov with any questions.

Note: The Library is currently not offering guided tours for groups, however roaming volunteers are available throughout the Thomas Jefferson Building to answer questions, give directions, and share stories about the Library’s collections and building.

Live! at the Library

The Library is open late every Thursday evening from 5 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Enjoy happy hour drinks and snacks available for purchase in the Great Hall overlooking the U.S. Capitol. The series will regularly feature special conversations, music, performances, films, and workshops that showcase the broad range of holdings at the national library. Learn more

Free timed-entry tickets on Thursdays at 5 p.m. are required for entry to Live! at the Library. To attend reserve tickets here.

Select programs with limited capacities may require a separate event ticket for entry to those rooms. Please review the event page for each program to confirm the entry requirements. Visitors without advance event tickets are welcome to attend space permitting.

Concerts, Lectures & Other Events

Check out the Library’s Calendar of Public Events for upcoming program opportunities, both onsite and online. You can stay in touch and learn more about the Library’s resources on Facebook and Instagram, and Twitter.

Visitor Information

Our Visitor Engagement Office team is here to help you plan your visit. Please contact us at visit@loc.gov or (202) 707-9779 with your questions.