Library of Congress Jefferson Building to Reopen

The Library of Congress will reopen the doors of the Thomas Jefferson Building to the public with timed entry passes beginning on July 15, the library announced Thursday.

The free passes will be available three days a week, and will only be good for a limited window of time. 

Guests will be able to walk through the Thomas Jefferson building and a number of exhibits, including Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words, Shall Not Be Denied: Women Fight For the Vote, Thomas Jefferson’s Library, Exploring the Early Americas, and Mapping a New Nation: Abel Buell’s Map of the United States, 1784. 

The Library will also host a series of five Movies on the Lawn on Thursday nights, starting July 8 and running through August 5.

Tickets can be reserved online here.

“We are thrilled to welcome visitors back to the iconic Jefferson Building in July,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden in a written statement. “We hope that by introducing a free but ticketed experience, we can safely and responsibly begin to share the Library’s great treasures with the American people once again.”

All visitors, regardless of age, must have a timed pass for entry, and each visitor will be able to reserve up to six passes. Passes will be released on a rolling, 30-day basis, so for visitors planning to visit within the next month, visit the reservation site for availability.

While in Library buildings, regardless of vaccination status, all visitors and staff engaging with the public will be expected to follow social distancing policies and wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth and fits snuggly against the sides of the face. 

The Library also requires visitors to complete an online health self-assessment for symptoms of COVID-19 when they are issued their tickets. The Library’s health and safety policies may be modified as conditions change.

Passes will be available for Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Final entry will be at 3 p.m.