Liberty and Learning

April 24, 2009 9:44 AM

Tell me about doing research at the Library of Congress.

I'm going to be taking some time off in Washington, D.C. in July, and aside from touring the Smithsonian museums and such, I'd like to spend some time doing research at the Library of Congress.

I just have no idea what that would involve.

What is it like doing research there? How is it different from libraries that I'm used to? What should I do to prepare for the research process in advance that wouldn't be applicable in other libraries? Any helpful tips on finding yourself immersed in this astonishing research would be appreciated; I'm finding just the idea of being there a bit overwhelming.

Side question: are library patrons there allowed to take pictures of the books?

My subject area is going to be World War I era ephemera; histories of that period, as well as contemporary materials and personal accounts. I'll be doing preparatory research in the weeks leading up to the trip, so my time at the Library of Congress can be spent with the difficult-to-find materials. Oh, and this is just for fun. Yes, I'm a geek.

Thanks for your help!

posted by MrVisible to writing & language (11 comments total)

Have you looked at the Library's Research and Reference page? I actually work at the library, but in a tech position, so I really don't know anything about actually, you know, getting your hands on an actual book. I give a helluva behind-the-scenes tour, so hit me up for that when you're here.
posted by MrMoonPie at 9:53 AM on April 24

You definitely need to get a reader's card first. There's an office you go to where they take your picture and make you a card on the spot. It's free.

Have you ever been to the New York Public Library? It's like that. There are a couple of places where you can browse books, but the vast majority of the collection is in "closed stacks." You look up your book in the catalog, note the call number, and a staffer retrieves it for you. This takes like 20 minutes to an hour. There are reference librarians to help you figure out which books you'll need.
posted by jillsy_sloper at 10:00 AM on April 24

You go to the reader's card desk at the Madison building, smile for your picture, get your ID then go to the back side of the Jefferson building with your new Researcher ID. Then you go to the catalog room and look up what you want on the computer and it's location. You write what you want on a slip of paper and take that to the reference desk in whatever place you are told to go. The librarian will take the slip and reappear with your item. Then you can go and read/watch/listen to/etc. in the room where you got the item (eg. legal books stay in the legal library in the Madison building)

There are copy machines everywhere and machines that sell copy cards that work the machines. I don't believe personal cameras are going to be OK, but ask, they may not care.

Have fun!

(the first thing I did when I moved to DC was call up a copy of Chocolate City - yes, I too am a nerd)
posted by Pollomacho at 10:11 AM on April 24

What jillsy_sloper and pollomacho said, but with the additional emphasis: leave lots and lots and lots of time -- they take FOREVER to fetch books. Relatedly, don't expect to go in shortly before closing to look at a book.

Also, the Jefferson reading room is really pretty.
posted by paultopia at 10:34 AM on April 24

I do this every so often (self-link).

There are, of course, metal detectors on the way in, and you might be asked to open any bags on the way out.

After you get your Reader's Card, there's a little "research help" desk. They have maps, and handouts which tell you what building which call numbers are located in, and where the tunnels are to get to them.

Also, you're not allowed to bring coats, bags, folders, or envelopes into the reading rooms, but when you check your stuff at the cloakroom, you can ask for a clear, plastic bag to carry any gear with you. Or just bring a see-through file with you.

I like the Adams reading room: it's usually less crowded. The stuff I need is usually in Adams, but they'll fetch books from any of the buildings.
posted by steef at 10:53 AM on April 24

Don't miss the special exhibits. When you need a break, the big employee cafeteria is pretty cool. You can meet all sorts of interesting people over lunch without even trying!
posted by aquafortis at 11:04 AM on April 24

What everybody above said is correct. The folks that work there there are really awesome; make sure to ask questions if you have them.

And to answer your other question:

are library patrons there allowed to take pictures of the books?

Yes, you are. At least I was (and I was in the manuscripts section, which you would imagine would be more hostile to that kind of thing) There are also lots of copy machines around.
posted by General Malaise at 12:09 PM on April 24

Sorry to mark every answer as Best, but this has been incredibly helpful. I've now gone from where I had no idea how to even start, and I would have arrived at the library bewildered and bumfuzzled to a point where I can plan on a clear folder for my research equipment and can allow for the time to process my requests. Metafilterians are amazing.

And thanks for the link, MrMoonPie. I'd actually checked it out, but it's the personal details of the experience that I really wanted to hear about. That tour sounds amazing, and I'll definitely take you up on it.

One question that came up as a result of all the great answers: is there any way I can get my initial request slips prepped in advance? I think I'll have a good list of what I'll need before I get there, and my handwriting is just awful.
posted by MrVisible at 1:32 PM on April 24

I've only used the manuscript room recently, so I'm not sure how helpful my advice would be when it comes to books.

With manuscripts, you can send them an email in advance with the dates of your visit and the specific boxes that you want to look at, and they'll pull them for you and have them waiting for you when you show up. I don't know if you can do the same thing with books, but if you can, I would recommend it. It saved me a lot of time.

As General Malaise said, in the manuscript room they let you take pictures. I think they actually prefer that you take pictures to xeroxing: it's much less likely to hurt the materials.

I actually found the LOC a pretty easy place to do research. They're very efficient, unlike some libraries and archives.
posted by craichead at 1:39 PM on April 24

I think what you're looking for is advanced reserve</a, MrVisible.
posted by craichead at 1:41 PM on April 24

I've never actually requested a book myself, but I have seen the call slips in my wanderings. I'd be happy to mail you some, if you need to go that route and there's time for transit.
posted by MrMoonPie at 2:07 PM on April 24