Library of Congress Asian Reading Room opens Saturdays

[Guest guest]

June 17, 2005

Press contact: Audrey Fischer (202) 707-0022, afis

Asian Division contact: Judy Lu (202) 707-2385, julu

 

ASIAN READING ROOM OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

TO OPEN ON SATURDAYS

 

A Pilot Program, April 9 to October 8, 2005

 

The Asian Reading Room of the Library of Congress has been open on Saturdays

for a trial period of six months since April 9, 2005. The hours of the Asian

Reading Room are Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The Asian Division houses more than 2.7 million items in more than 200 Asian

languages. The collection covers topics ranging from art to zoology. For many

Asian languages, it holds the largest collection of material outside of Asia.

The Asian Division offers reference services pertaining to all countries in

South, Southeast and East Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands. The Asian

Division also provides patrons with access to a wide variety of electronic

resources that are only available within subscribing libraries. Books can be

requested upon arrival in the reading room. However, patrons using the

collections on Saturdays are encouraged to request materials in advance.

Requests can be faxed to (202) 252-3336 or sent by email to

asianrequest. All requests should include the title, language and call

number of the materials requested; the name of the patron and the patron's

reader registration ID number.

The Asian Reading Room is located in Room 150 of the Library's Thomas Jefferson

Building, 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C., one block north of the Capitol

South Metro station. The Library's 21 reading rooms are open to members of the

public over the age of 18. Those wishing to enter the reading rooms must first

obtain a reader registration card in Room 140 of the James Madison Building, 101

Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. Patrons are advised to come in from the

Madison Building to avoid long waiting lines to enter the Library from the

Jefferson Building. After getting a reader's card at Room LM 140 in the Madison

Building, take the tunnel on "G" level, follow the signage to the Jefferson

Building and then to the Asian Reading Room (Room LJ 150) on the first floor.