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Library of Congress in Pictures

24/10/2026 20 photos

The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States, with several buildings in Washington, D.C. The historic Thomas Jefferson Building is a rewarding place to explore for its grand public interiors, murals, mosaics, and decorative architectural details. The Great Hall offers a sense of the building’s scale, while the Main Reading Room and other reading rooms show how its spaces support research and study.

As you plan a visit, look beyond the central hall: details such as ceiling arches, tile floors, and the dome’s Torch of Learning add context to the building. The Library’s other buildings, including the John Adams and James Madison buildings, are also part of its Washington presence. For exhibits and access to reading rooms or collections, check the Library’s visitor information before you go.

Plan your visit

Look inside the Jefferson Building
Notice the murals, decorative details, and grand interior spaces.
Find the reading rooms
Observe how the library’s rooms support research and study.
Explore the collections
Check visitor information for current exhibits and access rules.
Aerial view of the Thomas Jefferson Building, East Capitol Street, and the James Madison Building.
An aerial view places the Thomas Jefferson Building among the Library of Congress complex, with East Capitol Street and the James Madison Building nearby. It helps orient a visit to the campus. Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · Public domain
Exterior view of the Thomas Jefferson Building.
The Thomas Jefferson Building’s exterior introduces the historic heart of the Library of Congress. Visitors can explore its public spaces and learn about current exhibits before planning their visit. Photo: MallardTV / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain dedication) · CC0 (public domain dedication)
Panoramic view of the Library of Congress Great Hall.
This panoramic view opens across the Great Hall, where marble columns, arches, and decorated upper levels create a grand arrival inside the Jefferson Building. Photo: Diliff / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Main Reading Room inside the Thomas Jefferson Building.
The Main Reading Room fills this view with its circular arrangement of desks, galleries, and domed ceiling. Check visitor information for current access rules before exploring reading rooms. Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · Public domain
View across the second floor of the Great Hall.
From the Great Hall’s second floor, visitors can look across the upper gallery and down into the building’s central interior. Notice the layered arches and architectural details. Photo: Rhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Crescent moon above the Torch of Learning on the Jefferson Building dome.
A crescent moon appears above the Torch of Learning atop the Jefferson Building dome. The detail offers a striking close-up of the building’s rooftop sculpture. Photo: Library of Congress Life / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain dedication) · CC0 (public domain dedication)
Decorative interior of the Library of Congress vestibule.
The Library of Congress vestibule gives visitors an early look at the building’s decorative stonework and formal interior design on the way into its public spaces. Photo: Rizka / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
A sequence of arches along the Great Hall ceiling.
Arches repeat along the Great Hall ceiling, drawing the eye through the Jefferson Building’s richly decorated interior. Look upward to take in the hall’s full architectural detail. Photo: Library of Congress Life / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain dedication) · CC0 (public domain dedication)
Glassed window in the Great Hall ceiling.
A glazed ceiling window brings light into the Great Hall. It is one of the overhead details worth noticing while looking around the Jefferson Building’s grand central space. Photo: Alvesgaspar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Mural in the Northeast Pavilion of the Thomas Jefferson Building.
A mural decorates the Northeast Pavilion of the Thomas Jefferson Building. Visitors exploring the interior can look for murals as well as mosaics and elaborate architectural details. Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · Public domain
Mosaic tile floor inside the Thomas Jefferson Building.
The mosaic tile floor adds color and pattern beneath the Jefferson Building’s ornate interiors. Pause to notice the floor as well as the murals and ceilings above. Photo: Library of Congress Life / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain dedication) · CC0 (public domain dedication)
An alcove in the Library of Congress Main Reading Room.
This alcove sits within the Main Reading Room, giving a closer look at the room’s smaller architectural spaces. Reading rooms support research and study at the Library. Photo: Sdkb / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Entrance to the Main Reading Room in the Jefferson Building.
The entrance to the Main Reading Room leads into one of the Jefferson Building’s best-known interior spaces. Visitors should check current access information before making plans to enter. Photo: Library of Congress Life / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain dedication) · CC0 (public domain dedication)
A visitor looking around the Great Hall.
A visitor explores the Great Hall, offering a sense of scale beneath its decorated arches and upper galleries. The hall is a natural place to pause during a building visit. Photo: Library of Congress Life / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain dedication) · CC0 (public domain dedication)
Exterior of the Library of Congress John Adams Building.
The John Adams Building is another part of the Library of Congress in Washington. Its exterior broadens the picture beyond the historic Jefferson Building. Photo: Library of Congress Life / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain dedication) · CC0 (public domain dedication)
Performing Arts Reading Room in the James Madison Building.
The Performing Arts Reading Room is in the James Madison Building, another Library of Congress location. Reading rooms provide spaces for research and study. Photo: Sdkb / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Librarian Carla Hayden looking through the Law Library stacks.
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden peruses the Law Library stacks. The view offers a glimpse of the book-filled spaces that support the Library’s research work. Photo: Library of Congress Life / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain dedication) · CC0 (public domain dedication)
Interior of the Librarian’s Room in the Jefferson Building.
The Librarian’s Room is one of the Jefferson Building’s interior spaces, with its own furnishings and decorative details. Look beyond the Great Hall when exploring the building. Photo: Rhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Guests at a Film Costume Ball in the Jefferson Building.
Guests gather for a Film Costume Ball in the Jefferson Building. The event scene shows the Great Hall used as a public gathering space as well as an architectural landmark. Photo: Library of Congress Life / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain dedication) · CC0 (public domain dedication)
Light outside the Library of Congress.
Light falls outside the Library of Congress, offering a quieter view of the building’s setting. The surrounding Washington streets and buildings are part of the campus experience. Photo: Rhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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