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Library of Congress Research Tips

Page history last edited by Sarah E Medlin 9 years, 5 months ago
  • Review Library of Congress specific subject headings before getting to the library
  • Keep an electronic copy of background notes on a laptop
    • Many rooms in the Library of Congress do not allow personal papers to be brought in.
  • Do some research before you arrive
    • The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, and most of the collection is not open to browsing. It is best to arrive with some ideas about what you want to see.
  • Plan out how to take notes
    • It might be helpful to set up a document with a space for bibliographic information as well as notes.
  • Order any materials you think you might want before you get to the Library of Congress.
    • Some materials, especially multimedia, can take several days to be delivered.
  • Stay organized in the Manuscript Room
    • In the Manuscript Room, you can only remove one file from a box at a time. The staff will be circulating the room to make sure you are keeping the materials orderly.
  • Plan time strategically
    • Short breaks can be sanity savers.
  • Wear clothing with pockets
    • Bags must be checked so pockets make keeping track of cell phones, flash drives, and IDs much easier.
  • Bring a flash drive
    • The Library of Congress has amazing scanners that will create a PDF that can be loaded onto a flash drive.
  • Don't read, skim
    • There will be so much information. Do not try to process it. Check if it will be useful, save it, and move on.
  • Bring a sweater
    • The research rooms are heavily air-conditioned.
  • Plan to go through security multiple times
    • Be prepared to have your bags inspected often and do not bring anything you would not take to an airport.
  • Spend some time with an outside topic
    • Take advantage of being surrounded by so much information.
  • Stay at the William Penn House.
    • It is cheap, clean, and within walking distance of the Library of Congress.
  • Charge your laptop
    • There are outlets at the desks in the main reading room, but you do not want to lug your charger around.
  • Bring headphones
    • If working in complete silence is not your thing, you can take headphones, but keep them low.
  • Pre-register for your Reader ID
  • Know when the lockers close
    • The research rooms close at different times and you do not want your belongings to be stuck in a locker overnight.

 

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