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
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Discover how the Library of Congress acquires materials for its collections and for other research institutions.
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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.
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Have a research question? Need help using the Library? Get expert assistance from librarians & research subject specialists.
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The Library's cataloging services include search vocabularies, classification, policy, products, training & cooperative programs.
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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.
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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.
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Providing digital, microfilm & paper copies, as well as custom reproductions for a fee from the Library’s collections.
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The Federal Research Division provides customized products and services using the Library’s extensive English and foreign-language collections on a cost-recovery basis.
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Your local library can borrow materials from the Library of Congress on your behalf. Here's how.
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Comprehensive research & reference service to Congress & the public on foreign, comparative, international & U.S. law.
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Here's how you can get your Library-issued Reader Identification Card & begin research here in Washington, D.C.
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The Library and associated organizations maintain key technical standards used in the library community.
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Access and download controlled vocabularies & authorities useful for describing and indexing information resources.
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Learn about the research, science & collaboration involved in preserving the Library's collections.
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Resources for publishers, editors & the public interested in Library publications and co-publishing opportunities.
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Information on RDA implementation, including cataloging policy, practices, training & more.
Research & Reference
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Interact with knowledgeable librarians & subject specialists -- online and in our reading rooms in Washington, D.C. Go beyond the digital collections.
Programs
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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.
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Preserving & presenting traditional songs, personal stories, regional culture & other aspects of American folklife.
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Volunteer online with By the People. Transcribe, review & tag digitized material to make documents more searchable for everyone.
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Promoting books, reading, libraries & literacy through its national center in Washington & its affiliated centers across the country.
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Free performances by extraordinary artists in classical, jazz, folk & other genres.
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Overseeing statutory licenses of copyright law, setting rates & determining distribution of royalties.
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Promoting and supporting best practices for the management of digital collections and services.
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Serving federal libraries & information centers as their purchasing, training & resource-sharing consortium.
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Giving scholars access to the Library’s collections & engaging them in conversation with public policy leaders.
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Honoring organizations that have made outstanding contributions to increasing literacy in the United States or abroad.
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Free braille, talking book & other audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the U.S.
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Home of the U.S. Poet Laureate with information on poetry & literature readings & events.
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Collecting, preserving & presenting the personal accounts of American war veterans.