Services

“Serving Those Who Serve Children”

           Part of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division, the Children’s Literature Center was founded in 1963 with the Congressional mandate to “provide reference services to government officials, librarians, publishers, writers and illustrators, and the general public.” Today, visitors and researchers from around the world use the Center’s services to gain access to the Library’s extensive collections of children’s literature and related materials.

Visitors to the Center are Welcome

            Inquiries can be made in person, by letter, phone, or online at Ask a Librarian or Researchers needing extensive assistance are encouraged to make an appointment before their visit. For group visits and book presentations, please call at (202) 707-5535.

The smallest Children’s Book in the World

            In the Center Reading Room, a children's literature specialist offers research assistance, locates materials, and orients researchers to the Library's extensive resources. The Center houses a reference and a showcase collection of illustrated children's books. Visitors and their school-age children are welcome to the Center to see the smallest children's book in the world and other rare and special items on display.

Children's Literature Collections

Children's Books in Special Collections

            Children's books in non-Roman languages, rare books, sound recordings, television programs, maps, illustrations, and secondary materials may be requested from the following Library of Congress Divisions:

• Rare Book and Special Collections
• Newspapers and Current Periodicals
• Prints and Photographs
• Geography and Maps
• American Folklife Center
• Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
• Asian, European, Hispanic, and African & Middle Eastern divisions
• Music

All Library of Congress materials must be used on-site and may not be charged out.

Reserving Books Ahead of Time

            Visitors may reserve materials prior to visiting via the Access to Collections Ask-a-Librarian form. Enter the full citation and Library of Congress call number for all titles needed and enter the planned date of arrival in the “Question” field. Requests must be submitted five working days before arrival date.

Reader Cards

            Visitors wishing to use any of the Library's reading rooms must obtain a Reader Identification Card at the Reader Registration Station in Room LM-140 of the Madison Building. (Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 am to 9:00 pm, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.)
            Visitors will be asked to fill out a brief form, present a valid photo ID, and pose for a picture. For more information, please go to the Library of Congress Online Help Pages.