The Library of Congress currently occupies three buildings on Independence Avenue in Washington, DC. The Library of Congress has two main purposes: research institution for the United States Congress and the national library of the United States. It also houses the Copyright Office.
The Library of Congress is directed by the Librarian of Congress, a position appointed by the President and approved by Senate. Since its inception in 1800, thirteen Librarians of Congress have held the post.
The Library of Congress is open to the public for all individuals ages 16 or older. Ten thousand items are added to the Library of Congress each day. Approximately 1.6 million visitors and researchers visit each year.
The Library of Congress is the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. It was originally located in the Capital building. The Thomas Jefferson Building, the earliest of the three current Library of Congress buildings, was completed in 1897. The John Adams Building followed in 1938, and in 1981 the James Madison Memorial Building was completed.
A competition was held in 1873 to design the Jefferson Building, which was won by architects John L. Smithmeyer and Paul J. Pelz. (Smithmeyer and Pelz, who immigrated to the U.S. from Austria and Germany, respectively, also designed Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Carnegie Library in Allegheny, PA, and the Army and Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, AR.) Construction of the Jefferson Building began in1886, and was completed in 1897, at a cost of $6.5 million. The building was reopened in 1997 after renovations.
The John Adams Building was constructed as an annex to the main building. Congress approved the purchase of the land in 1928, and the Architect of the Capitol, David Lynn, commissioned the firm of Pierson & Wilson to design the building. Construction was completed in 1938 and the building opened to the public on January 3, 1939. Construction costs totaled $8.2 million.
Congress approved funding for the construction of the James Madison Memorial Building in 1965. The architectural firm of DeWitt, Poor, and Shelton designed the building. Construction began in 1971 and was completed in 1976, costing over $130 million. The building was opened to the public in 1980. Along with the Pentagon and the F.B.I. Building, the James Madison Memorial Building is one of the three largest buildings in Washington, DC. In addition to housing the Library of Congress, the building is also the United States’ official memorial to President Madison.
As the national library, the Library of Congress itself represents knowledge, as embodied in the owl in the lobby:
What struck me as a visitor to first the Madison and then the Jefferson buildings fo the library was the sheer size and scope of its collections, and the physical space required to house all of that knowledge. That so much of the library's holdings are immediately available to the public -- both in its digitized collections, and in the exhibits in the Jefferson building which can be viewed by visitors -- make the clear the dual function of the library as not just the library OF CONGRESS, but also the library of the American public. Being able to stand in a room with Jefferson's original library (or what remains of it after the fire) was an opportunity to stand in history (even if they were behind glass): http://www.myloc.gov/Exhibitions/jeffersonslibrary/Pages/Overview.aspx
References
ArchInform. “John L. Smithmeyer. http://eng.archinform.net/arch/6252.htm, retrieved 26 July 2009.
ArchInfrom. “Paul J[ohannes] Pelz.” http://eng.archinform.net/arch/40432.htm, retrieved 26 July 2009.
Library of Congress. “About the Library.” http://www.loc.gov/about/ , retrieved 26 July 2009.
Library of congress. “On These Walls.” http://www.loc.gov/loc/walls/, retrieved 26 July 2009.
The Library of Congress truly represents the national identity in not only its architectural features, which seem to be eclectic but also the massive amounts of published work it holds within its walls. It has grown as the desire for knowledge within our country has grown in its needs. The main hall is superlative. The Library truly is a treasure trove of accumulated knowledge and works throughout the world. The multicultural aspects of the Library as demonstrated in statues of Newton and Shakespeare show how our national identity is inclusive and built upon all cultures, to the exclusion of none.
ReplyDeleteThis was one of my favorite buildings on our trip. I loved how the inside represented a variety of authors, historians, and philosophers.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the Supreme Court building is SMALLER than the Capitol - but that shouldn't surprise folks one single bit. It is still a GLORIOUS EDIFICE! Anyway, - and historically speaking - most of the habitues of the Capitol premises have always been loaded down over a 150-200 years with extreme vanity and their own self-conceit, - that who on this unholy earth could POSSIBLY have a BIGGER building than T-H-E-M ?? In my opinion, they wouldn't have it any other way... And, I think the Supreme Court retains its own special grandeur, and at least has been quite "scandal-free" ever since its beginning.
ReplyDeleteI know I want to go back and show people the ibrary of Congress, especially the Jefferson building. I was awesruck by the beauty of interior and visual representations of the designated 8 pillars of knowledge.
ReplyDeleteThe Library of Congress is one of the places I most enjoy in D.C. It is the seat of learning, books, and knowledge for our Nation, open to the public and at our disposal. It hides treasures, but also preserves them for later use by others. It is monumental, subdued, intriguing, grandiose, and living all at once. The fact that the library is an unending project makes it a great teaching tool. Even libraries can never have enough books - as a person can never have enough knowledge.
ReplyDeleteHaving actually done research in the Main Reading room is one of those seminal experiences. You feel completely in awe of the materials you are looking at, in awe of the massive room you are in, in awe of its purpose, but at the same time feel invigorated to be in their as an American citizen and utilizing the resources your government has provided. And especially now that the tour has encased the viewing platform for tour groups, you just feel a bit high and mighty! It is an electric feeling in that room.
Carolyn is posting this:
ReplyDeleteThe American sensibility is often characterized as anti-intellectual, so it is greatly encouraging to have the wonderful Library of Congress in the heart of the Federal City, established right at its foundations. How fortifying to know that the wider world of literature, science, art and ideas is in fact respected. Hooray for Thomas Jefferson!
I really enjoyed our tour with the historian at the library of congress and listening how various members went about building up the collection. It showed me how invested we have been in building up a national identity that values education, knowledge and dialogue. As Michael and Jake have noted, it demonstrates our respect for contrasting ideas by having statues that represent opposites standing right next to one another.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cindy's comment in regards to our tour with the historian at the Library of Congress. He brought life to a place that in some ways is inaccessible to the public. I feel that I learned a lot of history during that tour and was amazed by the details that can be found in the Main Reading Room. From the murals on the ceiling and the statutes around the room, you truly understood what an elite and educated group of people our founding fathers were.
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