The Library of Congress was founded in 1800. It is the national library of the United States and is the largest library in the world by number of items catalogued. It is located in Washington, D.C. and is part of the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States.
The Library of Congress was established by an act of Congress in 1800, and its original collection consisted of 740 books and three maps that were transferred from the Congressional Library, which had been established in 1789. The library has since grown to become a major research institution, with a collection that includes millions of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, and other materials. It is a resource for Congress and the American people, and its collections are used by researchers from around the world. The library also serves as the national copyright office and as the main research arm of the Congressional Research Service.