About the Library
Welcome Message from Carla Hayden, 14th Librarian of Congress
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections. The Library is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office.
The Library preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage you in your intellectual and creative endeavors. Whether you are new to the Library of Congress or an experienced researcher, we have a world-class staff ready to assist you online and in person.
I encourage you to visit the Library of Congress in person in Washington, D.C., explore the Library online from wherever you are and connect with us on social media.
Sincerely,
Carla Hayden
Librarian of Congress
Strategic Plan
View the 2019-2023 Library of Congress Strategic Plan. (Download PDF)
View the 2019-2023 Library of Congress Digital Strategy.
Library Organization
An agency of the legislative branch of the U.S. government, the Library of Congress encompasses several integral service units, listed below. Download a current Library of Congress organization chart.
Office of the Librarian
The Office of the Librarian is the administrative branch of the Library of Congress and has overall management responsibility for the Library. It sets policy and directs and supports programs and activities to accomplish the Library’s mission.
Congressional Research Service
CRS exclusively serves Congress by providing confidential, objective and authoritative research and analysis to help inform the legislative debate.
Copyright Office
The U.S. Copyright Office administers the Nation’s copyright laws for the advancement of the public good, offers services and support to authors and users of creative works, and provides expert impartial assistance to Congress, the courts and executive branch agencies on questions of copyright law and policy.
Law Library
Congress established its Law Library in 1832, recognizing its need for ready access to reliable legal materials. The Law Library has grown over the years to become the world’s largest law library, with a collection of over three million volumes spanning the ages and covering virtually every jurisdiction in the world.
Library Services
The mission of Library Services is to develop qualitatively the Library's universal collections, which document the history and further the creativity of the American people and which record and contribute to the advancement of civilization and knowledge throughout the world, and to acquire, organize, provide access to, maintain, secure, and preserve these collections.
Other Offices
Other offices that operate independently of individual service units but are within the Library's organizational structure are listed here.