Last Monday, the Library of Congress welcomed thousands of visitors into its Main Reading Room for the twice-yearly open house. New this year was an open house a few miles down the road at the Library’s Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Preservation, where the free tour tickets quickly “sold out” on Eventbrite in advance of the event.
While opening the doors to the Main Reading Room was certainly a treat, the open house packed a double whammy for visitors. Not only was Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on hand to meet attendees, she also announced that the Ceremonial Office of the Jefferson Building will be open for regular viewing by the public – the first time in the building’s 119-year history the room will regularly be open to visitors. Those at the open house were the first to enjoy the opportunity.
“I thought it would be wonderful to let everyone have a chance every day, whenever the Library is open, to come into the librarian’s office and feel the wonder of this jewel box,” Hayden said.
All photos by Shawn Miller