A Tale of Two Libraries

I'm an academic in DC, so of course, people want to know if I've been to the Library of Congress.

The Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress, photo swiped from Slate.com

Actually, I have. In fact, I'm a card-carrying Reader.

If you've been to DC, you may know that you can visit the beautiful Library of Congress for free. You can see the Gutenberg Bible, Thomas Jefferson's library, the awesome sculptures and artwork. But you can't get into the elegant domed reading room without a card.

Here's the news, though: anyone over 18 can get a reader's card--you just fill out a form, present your driver's license, and they make a card for you.

It's pretty nice being within just a few blocks of the largest library in the cosmos. Yes, it's the one that was featured in National Treasure.

Nicholas Cage looking super-scholarly at one of the desks in the Main Reading Room.

The L of C doesn't work like most libraries. Because its collection is so huge, it has closed stacks, which means you need to request the material you want, and someone goes to get it for you. You can't go looking for it.

I did this the other day. I needed a book that would help me with my research on the Dieman-Bennett Dance Studio. First I found the record for the book on their online catalog--which I accessed from our apartment a few blocks away.

Then I requested it, also online, asking for it to be brought from the closed stacks to the Main Reading Room. They sent me an email when the book was there.

That's the easy part. Then you need to run the gauntlet of getting INTO the reading room. First there's the security check at the front door--for everyone, researchers and tourists alike. It's just like at the airport except you can leave your shoes on: put your bags and keys on the conveyor belt through the x-ray machine. Walk through the metal detector. Hope you don't set it off.

Once through, researchers need to check coats and bags at the cloak room. You can't bring them into the reading room. (I have a clear plastic bag for my wallet, pens, and notebook.)

Now the real test: you have to figure out (or remember) how to get across and upstairs into the Reading Room! It's not marked on the "You Are Here" signs and maps spread about the building because tourists aren't allowed.

I've been to the Reading Room three times and each time I've had to ask someone "which way to the Reading Room?" The L of C is a huge building (3 buildings, actually) with winding hallways, staircases, underground tunnels, elevators, and lots of doors that don't lead to the Reading Room, and don't ask me how I know that. . .

Finally, once you find the entrance, you have to sign in and show your Reader's Card to a bored-looking security guard.  Whew!

I knew that the book I'd requested was in the Reading Room, waiting for me at the central desk. I just showed my card again to pick it up--right by the red arrow here . . .

I didn't take this photo; you can't take photos in there. It's not a tourist spot, it's a place to do research and read so cut it out with the selfies,

and I went to sit and read it under that amazing dome.

Photo from the L of C website itself!

I had to finish my reading there; the L of C isn't a lending library, so no books go home.

Besides a HUGE collection of books, excellent digital databases, and a beautiful space, the L of C also has my favorite library element: friendly and helpful reference librarians! I've gotten help from them already (locating the most recent Writer's Market and Writer's Guidelines in the Reference Room).

Now the Library of Congress may be spectacular and amazing and beautiful. But the library I visit more often--much more often!--is the tiny Northeast Neighborhood Library, just a few blocks from my house--in the opposite direction of the L of C. I'm probably there 3-4 times a week, picking up books and printing things out, saying "hi" to Coe College Writing Center Alumna Heather Scott and the other reference librarians.

In fact, the Northeast Neighborhood Library was the first place in DC I went after I arrived--to get my library card, of course!

This little branch library is part of the large DC Public Library system, and it shares resources, including books and digital resources, with the whole system. The book collection at the Northeast Neighborhood library is small, but because there are 27 branches, between them, they have just about any book I could want!

Just like the CRPL, I can use the online catalog to find and request books, which can be held for pick-up at any branch--so that's kind of similar to the L of C. As you may know, I am a reading addict, so this is pretty handy for me. I've already enjoyed reading a couple of books from the DCPL, including Behold the Dreamers, which is this year's Linn Area Reads book. I recommend it, Linn County friends!

Another reason the DC Public Library is awesome: I can attend events sponsored by different branches--other Neighborhood libraries. I knit and listen to audio books with the Southeast Neighborhood Library's Knit Lit group on Tuesday evenings. And I took an Excel class at the downtown Library Express branch. Oh, and the NE Neighborhood library is celebrating its 86th birthday on Sunday--with cake and a celebration!

I love the Library of Congress. And I'm enjoying all it has to offer, from research opportunities to art exhibits to free lectures and music to an awesome gift shop. But for those of you far from the L of C and wishing you could visit it: might I recommend a visit to your own public library? You'll find a whole world of resources just waiting to be used.