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Ask a Librarian: an online reference service from the Library of Congress
Before you ask

Services we provide
Assistance with our holdings of photographs, prints, posters, drawings, and architectural records
Response within 5 business days

Visit the
Prints and Photographs
Reading Room
Web page

Many questions can be answered using
 The Prints & Photographs Online Catalog -- digitized images for about 50% of our holdings
 Online guides and reference aids -- for example, illustrated lists for portraits of presidents and famous people, immigration
 Information about copying services, rights and permissions, and appraisal of images.

Search in for
Getting Answers

Ask a Librarian:
  If you have a reference question, proceed
  to the online form; get answers via email

Contact us by phone or fax:
  Phone: (202) 707-6394
  Fax: (202) 707-6647

Send us written correspondence*:
  Prints and Photographs Division
  Library of Congress
  101 Independence Ave. SE
  Washington, D.C. 20540-4730

* please read - information on mail delays

Certain types of questions are better directed elsewhere:

 Pictures of military/U.S. government subjects (ships, aircraft, military units and personnel) -- see our reference aid, "Sources of U.S. Military Images: Major Repositories."
 Aerial photographs, patent drawings -- try National Archives and Records Administration, Cartographic & Architectural Records unit.
 Artist biographies or art history -- the Smithsonian American Art Museum welcomes such questions. Many local libraries can also assist.
 Student assignments - Links to resources available through the Web.

 

   The Library of Congress >> Ask a Librarian Home
    May 13, 2004