Definition: The Library of Congress is the United States' oldest federal cultural institution. It preserves more than 119 million records including the largest map collection in the world. The LOC serves all Americans through its popular Web site and in its 22 reading rooms on Capitol Hill.

Related Resources:

Great Genealogy Research Libraries
Links and information about the world's best libraries for genealogy research, plus tips for conducting research in a library.

Standards for Using Record Repositories and Libraries
Standards for using records repositories and libraries, as recommended by the National Genealogical Society