The Unknown Territory of Federal Government Libraries

Photo Credit: AI

Unknown to many, Washington, DC, is home to numerous federal government libraries that are accessible to the public and serve various purposes from research to archiving government documents.

The federal libraries are an extraordinarily rich resource, not only on government but on history, culture, science, law, and many other topics.

In view of current skepticism about what is fact and what the government is up to, the openness of government records is an invaluable foundation for what is true.

Below is a list of the most prominent federal government libraries. Many agencies maintain libraries in DC, but also across the US.

Many records are available online, as well as in person.  It’s worth visiting the website before visiting the library itself.

Many of the libraries, preeminently the Library of Congress, are fascinating buildings, as well as being a source of extraordinary knowledge.

Here’s the list,

1. Library of Congress (LOC.gov)  

• Location: Capitol Hill—101 Independence Ave NE
• Purpose: The largest library in the world, with millions of books, manuscripts, photographs, and maps. It serves Congress and the American people by providing resources for research and preserving cultural heritage.
• Highlights: The Library of Congress includes specialized libraries such as the Law Library, American Folklife Center, Prints and Photographs Division, and the Congressional Research Service, which provides non-partisan research and analysis for Congress on a wide range of policy issues, including economics, defense, social policy, and law.

2. Smithsonian Institution Libraries (library.si.edu)

• Location: Various Smithsonian museums around D.C.
• Purpose: A network of libraries that supports the Smithsonian’s research, collections, and exhibitions across various disciplines, such as natural history, art, and American history.
• Highlights: These libraries include specialized collections like the National Museum of American History Library, the National Museum of Natural History Library, and the Hirshhorn Museum Library.

3. U.S. Supreme Court Library (SupremeCourt.gov)

• Location: Supreme Court Building, 1 1^st NE
• Purpose: Serves the U.S. Supreme Court and the public by maintaining legal records, case law, and judicial histories.
• Highlights: The library holds rare legal documents and provides resources for legal research.
• Due to ongoing renovation at the Court’s library, Supreme Court Bar members will not be able are not able to access the library from May 19, 2025.

4. National Archives Library (Archives.gov)

• Location: National Archives Building, D.C., 700 Pennsylvania Ave NW
• Purpose: Focuses on the preservation of U.S. government records and documents, including historical documents, presidential papers, and military records.
• Highlights: The National Archives holds the original copies of foundational American documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

5. Library of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO.gov)

• Location: Alexandria, VA (near D.C.)—600 Dulany St, Alexandria, VA
• Purpose: Supports research on patents, trademarks, and intellectual property.
• Highlights: Offers access to patent and trademark information dating back to 1790.

6. Federal Reserve System Libraries (Fraser.stlouisfed.org)

• Location: Washington, D.C. (and other regional Federal Reserve banks)—20 C St. NW
• Purpose: Provides research resources related to economics, banking, and financial systems.
• Highlights: These libraries support the Federal Reserve’s policy decisions and public financial information.
• Note: The Federal Reserve building in DC is going through extensive renovation.  It is best to check in advance before visiting the building.

7. Government Publishing Office Library (GPO.gov)

• Location: 732 N. Capitol St NW
• Purpose: Provides public access to government documents, including Congressional hearings, reports, and other official publications.
• Highlights: The GPO is the central resource for federal government publications, both in print and digital formats.  It includes Federal Depository Libraries throughout the US.

8. National Library of Medicine (NLM.gov)

• Location: Bethesda, MD (just outside D.C.)—8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
• Purpose: As part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), it is the world’s largest medical library and a major resource for health-related information.
• Highlights: It offers vast collections of medical literature, including journals, books, and databases like PubMed.

9. U.S. Department of Justice Library (Justice.gov)

• Location: 950 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Ste 7141
• Purpose: Supports legal research for the U.S. Department of Justice.
• Highlights: Provides a vast array of legal resources and databases for federal attorneys.

 

I always felt, if I can get to a library, I’ll be okay.

                                                    Maya Angelou

Thank you for your help, AI.  It's been good working with you.

didact's journal: A journal that provides moments of insight from diverse—and sometimes surprising--sources to provoke your thinking.  Each insight opens the door to deeper understanding and to connections among science, culture, history, mathematics, business, and personal mastery.

didact's journal first lines: Books that open well immediately capture our attention. This journal contains many of the best of countless compelling openings. Have fun exploring.