The largest library in the world is the Library of Congress, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. It contains over 130 million items, including close to 30 million printed materials in 460 languages. A number of special collections are included – rare books, manuscripts, sheet music, historical photographs, legal materials, maps, sound recordings and films. The Copyright Office has been part of the Library of Congress since 1870 and handles approximately 600,000 new registrations each year.

The Library of Congress has roughly 1 million visitors each year and contains 532 miles of shelves in 3 buildings. Reading rooms allow visitors to relax and peruse selected items. This national library of the United States is also the oldest U.S. federal cultural institution. Because it is also the designated research arm of Congress, over 500,000 requests are received annually for Congressional purposes. The public is not permitted to remove materials from the library, but must view them on the premises.

Little more than a decade ago, some experts predicted that library patronage would decline significantly with the rise of Internet technology and personal computer use. But these doom-and-gloom forecasts proved to be far from true. In fact, public library usage increased substantially between 1994 and 2004, with approximately 1.8 billion visitors in fiscal year 2004 alone.

According to the American Library Association, there are more than 117,000 public, government, school, armed forces, academic and specialized libraries (law, medicine, religious and corporate) in the United States. Public libraries are the number one source of computer and Internet use for those who do not have access to these technological tools at school, work or home. Approximately 99% of public libraries now offer free Internet access.

Yet trips to the library involve more than just checking out or reading books. Other free or on-loan services may include:

• Computer workstations with Internet connection
• Cultural programs and exhibits
• Free classes
• Free meeting space for community groups
• Job search and resume help
• Research assistance by professional staff
• Musical recordings
• Feature films
• Magazines and newspapers
• Additional research media, i.e. microfilm, rare document archives

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings in the library science field are expected to increase more quickly in the next 10 years due to an increase in staff retirements. For those interested in the best positions, a master’s degree in library science is recommended. A background in computer technology is a critical part of required coursework for librarians because of advances in the digitizing of library materials. Accredited online degree programs can be an excellent educational choice for training and preparation for those who love books, research, education and working with the public.