The Library of Congress is certainly deserving of a top spot on the Pretty Book anniversary countdown.  Soooo pretty.

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world. After days of touring Washington, D.C. , the buildings begin to look alike on the outside. So when I stepped inside the Library of Congress, it took my breath away. It was commissioned in the Italian Renaissance style and it certainly lives up to that tradition.

My visit was several digital cameras and computers ago and I no longer have my pictures, but these photographers have shared theirs.

Main Reading Room. Image: Carol Highsmith via Wikipedia

Circular desks on the floor of the Main Reading Room. Image: Kevin Harber

A library with so many alcoves that they have to number them is my kind of library. Image: Rochelle Hartman

Floor mosaic. Image: M. V. Jantzen

The library has 838 miles of bookshelves in three buildings on Capitol Hill and in off site storage facilities. These facilities house 33 million books and printed materials. Image: Mr. T in DC

Columns and beautiful ceilings of the Great Hall. Image: Christina Hsu

Rows and rows of card catalogs. Image: Kevin Harber

My last visit to the Library was rushed and I hope to make another trip to explore it in detail and to do a bit of bookish research.

Enjoy this national treasure,

JT