In-Person: The Library of Congress & Annual Holiday Book Exchange!

THIS IS AN IN-PERSON EVENT IN WASHINGTON, DC.

Come join us to celebrate the holidays at the Library of Congress. This is our third year to take in the treasures of the Library of Congress and then to share lunch and a book exchange at the Madison Cafe in the Madison Building. Even if you have participated before, please come. There are some new exhibits to see and the book exchange has always been a lively and enjoyable event! Maybe you can bring the book you took home last year!

This year the event will be run a bit differently. I can do only one visit (unlike the previous years when I offered two). I'm trying a new system to allow as many people who want to attend to attend. Please read through the entire description of the event.

I won't be doing a formal tour but will guide you through the Library. If you are joining with your own entry pass, I will post updates in Meetup as we move through the Library so you can find and join us.

WHAT WE WILL SEE: This walk through will introduce you to the basic elements of the Jefferson Building and the Madison Building. After entering the Jefferson Building and checking our items into the cloak room, we will move to the Main Floor. If you are interested in doing the walk though for the Reading Room, you will acquire your own pass.

If you wish to do the walk through, please see the information below about the special requirements for doing so. There are very strict requirements as to what you can bring into the Reading Room. You should plan accordingly.

We will view the Gutenberg Bible and the Great Hall, and, if open, the Librarian’s Ceremonial Office.

We will move up to the Second Floor to see the Main Reading Room Overlook, the Minerva Mosaic (and her crazy feet), the holiday Exhibit, the view of the U.S. Capitol, Thomas Jefferson’s Library. We will take in two exhibits: Collecting Memories: Treasures from the Library of Congress and The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution. Please note that the Collecting Memories exhibit closes at the end of 2025; it will be your last chance to see the artifacts from President's Lincoln's pockets on the night he was assassinated.

We will regroup around 11:45. We will pick up our items from the cloakroom and then use the tunnels to walk to the Madison Building for lunch and the book exchange at the 6th floor Madison Cafe. After lunch, there is a final surprise stop in the Madison Building if you’re willing to see one more thing!

HOW TO GET YOUR ENTRY PASS: I have 19 passes for the 10am entry. You are allowed to bring one guest. (If you want more than one guest pass, they will have to get it through the reservation link below.)

Reservations will open up for those passes on December 1st.

However, if you want to guarantee that you receive a pass, you can order your own NOW directly on the Library of Congress's website. You should try to get the 10am slot, but if that is full, getting a 10:15 or 10:30 would work. You can meet us inside. https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1038417/timedentry-ticket-reservations-washington-thomas-jefferson-building

THE BOOK EXCHANGE: The book exchange occurs during lunch. To participate in the book exchange that will occur during our lunch at the Madison Cafe (your expense) please bring a new or used, hardback or softcover book that is appropriate to share.

After lunch, we will make the exchange (following a convoluted and I hope entertaining process that I will walk you through). You are welcome to attend the lunch even if you do not participate in the book exchange.

WAIT LIST: If a wait list develops, people from the wait list will be moved automatically to the attending list if spots become available on the attending list. If you are put on the wait list, keep your eye on communications from Meetup as you will receive a notification that you're attending.

REMEMBER YOU CAN GET YOUR OWN ENTRY PASS. If you acquire your own entry pass, you do not have to RSVP here. If you have a Reader Card, you can use that to enter and then meet us inside. Just let us know in the comments if you plan to attend with your own pass (for planning purposes).

If your plans change and you have requested one of my 19 tickets, please keep your RSVP current.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

GETTING THERE: https://www.loc.gov/visit/directions/. If you plan to take Metro, be sure to check for any service disruptions the day of: https://www.wmata.com/service/index.cfm.

MEETING POINT: We will meet between 9:30 and 10:00am outside the the Visitor Entrance of the Thomas Jefferson Building on First Street SE between Independence Ave and East Capitol Street. Our entry time is 10:00am, so please plan accordingly to arrive no later than 9:45am. We have to enter the building together at 10am.

If you do not meet us outside, keep looking at the comments on Meetup. I will post where we are so you can find us.

SECURITY: All visitors must navigate “airport-like” security to enter the Thomas Jefferson Building; personal belongings and bags will be subject to a thorough search. Bags will also be searched upon your exit.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS: There is a cloakroom available on the Ground Floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT THE READING ROOM: The Reading Room has restrictions on what you can bring into the Room, including coats, oversized bags, and umbrellas. You can check non-permitted items at the cloakroom if you want to enter the Reading Room. For the restrictions, see Personal Belongings Restrictions at the Library of Congress, including items not allowed in Research Areas.

ACCESSIBILITY: Library of Congress buildings are fully accessible.

HEALTH CONCERNS: This event is mask-friendly.

CANCELLATION: If the event has to be cancelled due to weather or circumstances beyond my control, I will try to give as much advance notice as possible.

QUESTIONS: If you have any questions, please reach out to me via direct message in Meetup or email at savemytourspot@gmail.com. I will respond as soon as I can.

I look forward to seeing you there to help celebrate the Library of Congress and our holiday book exchange!

MaryBeth