About the Collections
Services
The Children's Literature Center is a part of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division
Digitized Children's Literature
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Entrance to the Children's Literature Center
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Location:
101 Independence Ave. SE
Thomas Jefferson Building, LJ 129
Washington, DC 20540-4620
Telephone: (202) 707-5535
Fax: (202) 707-4632
Map showing location
Hours:
Weekdays, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Closed Weekends & Federal Holidays
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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. 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. In the Center's 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.
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