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The Library of Congress, accessible via loc.gov, is the research library of the United States Congress and the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. It collects, preserves, and makes available a wide range of materials to support government, scholarship, and public education. Located in Washington, D.C., it serves as both a legislative research facility and a public archive for American cultural heritage.

The library’s origins date to 1800, when Congress authorized a collection for use by members of both houses. After the 1814 burning of the Capitol, the library’s collection was destroyed and rebuilt with Thomas Jefferson’s donated library, forming the core of the modern collection. The institution expanded through the 19th and 20th centuries and moved to its current complex on Capitol Hill, with the Jefferson Building opening in 1897.

Its holdings number in the millions and span maps, manuscripts, prints, photographs, sound recordings, film, and digital resources. The Library of Congress maintains diverse programs and centers, including the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and supports major digital projects and catalogs such as Chronicling America and the World Digital Library.

The loc.gov website provides access to catalogs, digital collections, exhibitions, research guides, and educational materials. It offers tools for scholars, educators, and developers, including APIs and developer resources, with notes on usage rights for reproductions where applicable.

As a federal institution, the Library of Congress is overseen by the Librarian of Congress and funded by Congress. Public access to its holdings is generally free, though some items may have restrictions or require permissions for reproduction.