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Notice
Due to the temporary shutdown of the federal government beginning October 1, 2025, all Library of Congress buildings are closed and all public events are canceled until further notice. More.

Services & Programs

Learn how the Library of Congress collects, preserves & provides access to its universal collections. Get the free tools and standards used by libraries, archives, and publishers.

Services

  • Acquisitions

    Discover how the Library of Congress acquires materials for its collections and for other research institutions.

  • Archival Description

    Search & browse examples, standards, and help for creating catalog records and finding aids for discovery and use of personal papers, organizational records, and other archival collections.

  • Ask a Librarian

    Have a research question? Need help using the Library? Get expert assistance from librarians & research subject specialists.

  • Cataloging, Classification

    The Library's cataloging services include search vocabularies, classification, policy, products, training & cooperative programs.

  • Cooperative Cataloging Programs

    The Library is committed to cooperative cataloging to benefit the world-wide library community. Shared standards & policies enable efficiencies & data sharing on a global scale.

  • Copyright

    The U.S. Copyright Office, a department of the Library, administers the Nation’s copyright laws and offers services and support to authors and users of creative works.

  • Duplication Services

    Providing digital, microfilm & paper copies, as well as custom reproductions for a fee from the Library’s collections.

  • Federal Research Division

    The Federal Research Division provides customized products and services using the Library’s extensive English and foreign-language collections on a cost-recovery basis.

  • Interlibrary Loan

    Your local library can borrow materials from the Library of Congress on your behalf. Here's how.

  • Law Library

    Comprehensive research & reference service to Congress & the public on foreign, comparative, international & U.S. law.

  • Library Card (Reader Registration)

    Here's how you can get your Library-issued Reader Identification Card & begin research here in Washington, D.C.

  • Library Standards

    The Library and associated organizations maintain key technical standards used in the library community.

  • Linked Data Service

    Access and download controlled vocabularies & authorities useful for describing and indexing information resources.

  • Preservation

    Learn about the research, science & collaboration involved in preserving the Library's collections.

  • Publishing

    Resources for publishers, editors & the public interested in Library publications and co-publishing opportunities.

  • Resource Description & Access

    Information on RDA implementation, including cataloging policy, practices, training & more.

Research & Reference

Programs

  • American Archive of Public Broadcasting External

    A collaboration with GBH in Boston, preserving local and national public television and radio programs from the past 70 years and making them available online.

  • American Folklife Center

    Preserving & presenting traditional songs, personal stories, regional culture & other aspects of American folklife.

  • By the People

    Volunteer online with By the People. Transcribe, review & tag digitized material to make documents more searchable for everyone.

  • Center for the Book

    Promoting books, reading, libraries & literacy through its national center in Washington & its affiliated centers across the country.

  • Concerts

    Free performances by extraordinary artists in classical, jazz, folk & other genres.

  • Copyright Royalty Board

    Overseeing statutory licenses of copyright law, setting rates & determining distribution of royalties.

  • Digital Preservation

    Promoting and supporting best practices for the management of digital collections and services.

  • FEDLINK

    Serving federal libraries & information centers as their purchasing, training & resource-sharing consortium.

  • John W. Kluge Center

    Giving scholars access to the Library’s collections & engaging them in conversation with public policy leaders.

  • Library of Congress Literacy Awards

    Honoring organizations that have made outstanding contributions to increasing literacy in the United States or abroad.

  • National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled

    Free braille, talking book & other audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the U.S.

  • Poetry & Literature Center

    Home of the U.S. Poet Laureate with information on poetry & literature readings & events.

  • Veterans History Project

    Collecting, preserving & presenting the personal accounts of American war veterans.