Library of Congress
Washington, DC, United States. Founded 1800.
- Type: National
- City: Washington, DC
- Country: United States
- Founded: 1800
Overview
Founded by act of Congress signed by John Adams, burned by the British in 1814, and rebuilt partly with Thomas Jeffersons library of 6,487 books, the Library of Congress is the largest library in the world. It holds more than 170 million items, from maps and photographs to recordings, on about 838 miles of shelving. Copyright deposit, a Gutenberg Bible, a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, and three Capitol Hill buildings draw researchers from around the globe.
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