Internet and culture: Library of Congress Introduces Rare Book and Special Collections Division Web Portal

There is a mystique surrounding libraries with old, rare books, and the Library of Congress is no exception. Just think of all the dark and vast vaults of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division that are closed to the public and imagine what undiscovered treasures they hold. Now, thanks to the digital age, the stacks are open and searchable—everyone can access these untold treasures through our newly released web portal.

The Rare Book and Special Collections Division traces its beginnings to Thomas Jefferson, who sold his book collection to Congress in 1815. Today, the division’s holdings amount to nearly 800,000 books, encompassing nearly all eras and subjects maintained in well over 100 separate collections. Read About this Collection and the Articles and Essays for a fuller description of these rich collections.

The new portal will continue to grow and improve as we add more content and supporting documentation. Currently, there are nearly 1,000 digital resources to discover. Featured content, highlighted in the banner at the top of the portal’s home page, includes “Maps and Views Illustrating Sir Francis Drake West Indian Voyage,” Thomas Jefferson’s copy of the “Federalist,” the Declaration of Independence, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and no less than the Gutenberg Bible.