This turned out to be quite a popular topic and several people asked for a
hit, so here's the information I received about visiting the LOC. Thanks so
much to everyone who responded. I am now even more excited for my trip! This
is GREAT info! When I get back, I'll let you know how it went. Thanks!!!!
Original post:
I'll be traveling to DC soon, and as a budding librarian of course I am
making a pilgrimage to the Library of Congress, mecca of all libraries! Does
anyone have advice about "must-sees" during my visit to the LOC, tour tips,
etc? I am excited to see it in person!
Please contact me off-list. Much obliged!
Here are the responses:
1. that's one of my favorite places as well. be sure to take the free tour
and if you have time, sit in the reading room under the rotunda and read!
that way you can say that you've "used" the library of congress
2. When I visited I got a library card. It is a neat thing to have. Do not
tell them it is a souvenir though, they frown on that.
3. Get a library card! Everyone can do it--little known, though.
Then, you can keep it as a momento. No cost. You can even use uit to read
something in the library--you have to tell them what you want and they'll
bring it to you. No checking out of items.
4. Definitely allow time to get your library card. I used mine at our
back to school show and tell for "what I did this summer". The tours are
also very interesting. P.S. Not Open Sundays.
5. Contact the LOC there are special tours for librarians. I have been
there but it was for a meeting once and once when I was on a conference. I
would suggest that rather than just the general tour
6. Be sure to drop by and see Roberta Stevens at LOC, she is one of the
candidates to be president of ALA in this election. She's a former school
librarian.
7. I was in D.C. last June, and I, too, had to make the pilgrimage!
They have a good book store/gift shop. They have a free video that gives
LOC background that is free and you should do it before the tour (also free)
as you'll meet in that room. When I was there, there was an exhibit of
books from Thomas Jefferson that were give to the LOC. I think that exhibit
has changed. You will NOT get into that main reading room! You have to go
on a tour to even get into like a balcony that overlooks that main reading
room (I was so disappointed!). And, you only get a few minutes in there,
you can't lean over due to like a plexiglass protector; and when I was there
they were doing some construction and some areas across from the viewing
balcony were covered with sheets of black plastic. There are other things
to walk around and see, but some you'll need the tour to get the background
on them. A caution about the tour. Get a "good"
guide! When they take out around, there are very high ceilings and very
hard to hear with all the people around and the echoing. Some guides had
those small mics; mine didn't! Try to get in a small group so you can hear
good, too. I was not happy with my guide, and after the balcony of the main
reading room, I left! I saw many
things on my D.C. trip, but the LOC tour was not the best, by far. But, it
is sacred ground!!
8. You will not be disappointed in the Library of Congress! It is dazzling,
and the tour makes it even more fascinating. Pay close attention to tour
times. There are only five tours a day, four on Saturday. The biggest issue
can be avoiding large school groups. My parents visited not so long ago and
had trouble hearing for this reason. Stick to the tour guide like a burr so
you don't miss anything!
9. I never seem to make it to LOC - bad timing, and my day's usually taken
up by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History (hazard of
volunteering there). However, if you do find that you have "extra" time,
there's an exhibit on the illustration of books (from Middle Ages to present
day) at the American History museum. Lots of other interesting stuff in
there as well, but not quite as librarian-obvious :-) If you haven't
visited the website lately, you can reach it through the central Smithsonian
website www.si.edu Most of the exhibits have an on-line presence now, and
there are other visitor resources (not to mention educator resources that
come in handy with many grades) there as well.
10. the whole campus is worth looking at-but in the newer building,on the
top floor is a very nice caferteria with a wonderful view of the D.C. area.
It is a well kept secret. Of course, in the old building you MUST see the
Reading Room, with its incredible dome and in the hallways,look up- the
ceilings have beautiful mosiac designs,which represent the publishing houses
of America. Have a great trip.
11.Ohhhh...I visited the LOC just last week over spring break and LOVED it!
I'm not a person who likes to take guided tours, but I would highly
recommend it for the LOC- I got so much more out of the visit doing this. I
think the tours run in the mornings only, though. My guided tour was about
45 minutes long, and then of course I roamed by myself afterwards. I think
I ended up staying for close to 3 hours! One thing I was surprised at is
that you cannot go into the stacks or reading rooms at all unless you have a
library card. Naive me assumed I could just roam around freely. Not the
case. That being said, I still thought it was the most amazing place I've
been to in a long time. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!
12.There are (or used to be) tour guides who would explain what you were
seeing in the LOC. I have to say that without the guide we would have
missed the significance of much of what we were looking at. If at all
possible, get a guide, or join a guided group, so that they can explain the
carvings, talk about the various construction materials used (marble from
different states, etc.) and fill you in on the meanings of the statues,
pictures, etc. The building is marvelous, but requires some knowledge of
art and architecture to reallyl appreciate. Enjoy the trip!
13.It is a wonderful place! Take the regular tour (I don't know what other
tour you can do as an individual)and take lots of pictures! Make some time
to do some research there, if you can. You can get a Reader's Card if you
actually plan to work while there. It is very exciting to be in that great
Main Reading Room! If you can, eat lunch in the Madison Building - I think
the cafeteria is on the 6th floor - just to see all of the employees and
listen to their discussions. Also check into getting approval to visit the
Surplus Books program for the school you are interning in. Hope this helps!
14. Be sure to take the tour. It is not long and you get to go places with
the guide that you don't on your own. Be sure to ask if you can use the
tools to turn the pages of the Gutenberg Bible. Just kidding. they would be
horrofied. They turn the pages in order to preserve the Bible.It is the most
beautiful building I have ever seen. The Biltmore House used to be my
favorite place, (In Asheville, NC) but now it is LOC
Rebecca Buerkett
Syracuse University MLIS Student
Intern- Lake Placid Middle/High School, Lake Placid, NY
rbuerkett@roadrunner.com
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