The library of Congress formally serves the legislative branch of the US Federal government, but in reality it is the national library of the country. The world's largest library has 158 million books, documents, photographs, maps, manuscripts.

In 1800, the U.S. Congress adopted the act on the transfer of the seat of government from Philadelphia to Washington. The law also included the establishment of the new capital library, "necessary for the use of Congress". Initially, the institution was housed in the Capitol building, but in 1814 the city was occupied by the British troops, the Capitol was on fire, small library part of the British looted, burned part.

The former had already retired President Thomas Jefferson, an avid book lover, offered to replace the deceased his collection, which was collected during half a century. It consisted of six and a half thousand volumes – works of literature, works on philosophy and science, and even cookbooks. Jefferson believed that there is no subject that sooner or later wouldn't need to study the legislator.

Throughout the nineteenth century the library of Congress has evolved into a major national cultural institution. In the second half of the century in the Capitol he became closely. The new library building, named in honor of Thomas Jefferson, built in 1897 by architects John Smithmeyer and Sex Pelica.

The building in the Beaux arts, who grew up across the street from the Capitol, perfectly: exquisite facades, huge arched Windows, busts of the great and solemn portico, the fountain of Neptune at the main entrance. Interior was worked over fifty major American artists. For the sample they took of the interior of the Paris Grand Opera. In the design of facilities widely used marble, granite, cast iron, bronze. The main hall is decorated with wonderful mosaics and frescoes. Basically the reading room eight marble columns surmounted by allegorical figures symbolizing art, philosophy, religion, Commerce, science. When the building opened to the public, it was called the largest, most expensive and most secure building in the world.

However, in this huge building became crowded. In 1939, grew up near another building John Adams, named after the second President of the United States. In 1976 on Capitol hill appeared the James Madison memorial (in memory of the fourth President of the country), in 2007 in the neighboring state of Virginia – Packard campus, created especially for storage of film, television and audio collections.

The library of Congress has outstripped the capacity of the British. It contains documents in 460 languages, and more than 69 million manuscripts. Project World Digital Library, open to users around the world. Chief librarian, appointed by the President and approved by Congress, brings a special oath.

Tourists visit the library is free, no tickets needed. But sometimes accumulates before entering the waiting list to see the Shrine of the book. In the main reading room it is impossible to photograph – it may interfere with the readers.