Researchers working on site at the Library of Congress might choose to visit some of the Library’s many Research Centers or Reading Rooms, assisted by expert staff, to explore collections and research tools, and many of the same resources are also available online. These centers’ online access portals are getting a refresh to make it even easier for users everywhere to conduct research and connect with experts.
The updated sites feature tabbed sections, and each section has its own menu of options. Here are highlights of what you might find under each tab:
- About summarizes the types of materials likely to be found in that reading room, along with the location and hours.
- Collections describes the scope of online and analog materials and offers entry points to the online collections.
- Researcher Resources guides engagement with the collections and related resources. Be sure to explore:
- Story maps – immersive, interactive guides to specific narratives and topics that connect items from across the Library of Congress collections.
- Research guides – topical and collection-based guides created by reference librarians provide information and resources to help navigate the Library’s collections.
- News & Events provides information about upcoming opportunities as well as recorded events and webinars.
So far, the following reading rooms and research center pages have been refreshed, but watch for more in the coming months:
- American Folklife Center
- Asian Division
- Hispanic Division
- Manuscript Division
- Performing Arts
- Veterans History
The updated pages also make it easy to stay connected on social media platforms and to find help via Ask a Librarian. Leave a comment to share your favorite features of the updated pages!
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