Library of Congress
Reading Room

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The Library of Congress Reading Room is open to the general public for academic research and tourists who can see it from a balcony.

Only people who are issued a "Reader Identification Card" may enter the reading rooms and access the library's collection.

The Reader Identification Card is available in the Madison building to anyone who is at least 16 years of age upon and has a government issued picture identification like a driver's license or passport.