Visitors Invited to Explore Library Reading Rooms and Collections in July
Live at the Library Features Summer Movie Series, Concerts on the Lawn
The new Thursday evening series Live at the Library will offer the special opportunity for visitors to explore the Library of Congress’ reading rooms and collections in July – as well as enjoy summer movies and concerts on the lawn.
Free timed-entry passes are required to enter the Thomas Jefferson Building. Visit loc.gov/visit to reserve your pass for Live at the Library.
On Thursday evenings the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building and all exhibitions are open for extended hours from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy happy hour drinks and snacks available for purchase in the Great Hall overlooking the Capitol and the building’s beautiful architecture while immersing themselves in the Library’s exhibits, collections and programs.
In July, visitors can walk onto the floor of the Library’s magnificent Main Reading Room on Thursday evenings during Live at the Library from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Normally reserved for credentialed researchers, this special opportunity offers a rare glimpse inside one of Washington’s most beautiful spaces. In addition to the Main Reading Room, select divisions will open their reading rooms for open houses.
The Library will also present its 5th annual Summer Movies on the Lawn outdoor film series during Live at the Library evenings in July on the southeast lawn of the Thomas Jefferson Building. Visitors can also enjoy live concerts prior to the film screenings on select evenings. Timed-entry passes are not required for the outdoor film and concert series.
Programming Highlights for July
July 7: Inside the Thomas Jefferson Building, explore the offerings of the African and Middle Eastern Reading Room from 5 to 7 p.m. Outside on the lawn, enjoy a performance of Afro Pop music from the group Elikeh at 7 p.m. prior to the sundown screening of the film “Top Gun” (1986).
July 14: Visit the Asian Division Reading Room in the Thomas Jefferson Building from 5 to 7 p.m. Watch “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (1971) at sundown on the lawn.
July 21: Explore collections of the Hispanic and European Reading Rooms in the Thomas Jefferson Building from 5 to 7 p.m. Outside on the lawn, enjoy a performance from the Puerto Rican band Kadencia at 7 p.m. prior to the sundown screening of the film “Rocky” (1976).”
July 28: Explore items from the Library’s performing arts collections in the Whittall Pavilion in the Thomas Jefferson Building from 5 to 7 p.m. Watch “Mary Poppins” (1964) on the lawn at sundown.
Find the latest event details at loc.gov/live, and subscribe to the Library’s Upcoming Events email list. Future events will be announced on a monthly basis.
Live at the Library is part of a broader effort to reimagine the visitor experience at the Library of Congress that invites visitors to enjoy the Library and its collections in new formats during extended evening hours on Thursday night. The series regularly features special conversations, music, performances, films and workshops that showcase the broad range of holdings at the national library.
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world — both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
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Media Contacts: Leah Knobel, lknobel@loc.gov | Brett Zongker, bzongker@loc.gov
PR 22-056
06-23-2022
ISSN 0731-3527