Library of Congress Information Desk and Loan Policy

I have been working at the LC Information Desk for a few days now. I cannot deny that I LOVE working at the desk. I encounter different people and they are come from all the places around the world. It is the most interesting place to be at the Library of Congress.

The main question I received is, "Can we walk around the Main Reading Room and browse the collection?" Unfortunately the answer is NO. In order to browse or use the reading room, visitors need a Reader Card/Researcher Card (FREE). Once you get the card, you are able to access to all 23 Reading Room. It is a privilege to study and do research at the largest library in the world.

Some library users came to the Desk and showed me the books they found on the LC web site. It is very hard to explain to them that the operation is different from their home libraries. They will need a Reader Card and then they can order the book via online catalog. They cannot check out LC books but they can order and read at the Main Reading Room. That is how the library operates.

The CD/AV collection of the Library of Congress is NOT located in DC. They are housed in Virginia! SO when a patron came to the Desk and wanted to take a look of the non-print materials, they have to order via online system and then come back when the material is arrived. Again, no library materials can be checked out.

For the ILL services, the material has to be the "one and only one" in this country, then LC will consider to loan out. Again, it will be "library use only" item.