Could You Read 40 Million Books?

Could you do it?  Could you read forty million books?  Would you like to try?

The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. holds nearly forty million volumes.  Many are stored off-site.  But anyone older than a high-schooler, U.S. citizen or not, can visit the nation's library and request books to read and study.

The Library perches behind the Capitol and next to the Supreme Court. 

And yes, it's a working library.  Books are not only stored--they are read.

 The entrance invites visitors, students, and scholars into a world of beauty and adventure and knowledge.  The building itself is magnificent.  (There are actually three separate buildings, the first completed in the late 19th century.)

Looking at the architecture, a visitor knows that the Library of Congress isn't just another Washington site.  This grand styling says, There are treasures within.  Come explore my depths.  I will give up my secrets to a willing explorer.

The library contains not only books, but the world's largest map collection; photographs; recordings; historic memorabilia, including items from Abraham Lincoln's pockets the night he was shot; an exhibition of comedian Bob Hope's treasured show-biz collection; and many other delights.

The LOC also oversees US Copyrights.  All Gather writers, keep in mind that when your books are published, the Library will ask for two copies for their collection.  And you'll be able to go into one of the exquisite reading rooms and request them!

Books and collections are not the only treasures within.  The decor is breathtaking.  From the tile and marble and frescoes to the carved puccis on the balustrades and the detailed ceilings, the Library of Congress in a treat for the eyes.

How's this for a rarity in Washington?  The Library of Congress was completed sooner than promised and...under budget!

A little nepotism was involved in its completion, however. 

Seems that the man responsible for the interior decoration hired his newly-graduated son and a couple of his son's buddies to help with painting and carving and other interior design elements.  Turns out that the young men did not have to ask for any more money than what was allocated for the building to complete their elaborate plans.  (My guess is that Dad offered to pay them with history's thanks rather than hard currency, but I could be wrong.)

           And these young men were apparently none too prudish.

The Library of Congress was designed to show off The United States' standing in the world community--We are not the new kids on the block any longer.  We can showcase our treasures in the same manner as any established nation.

Historic tidbit?  The Library of Congress was the first public building in Washingto, D.C. wired for electricity.  Visitors would come just to see the light bulbs!  And those lightbulbs remain uncovered and visible for today's visitors, tying us into the history of this magnificent national treasure.