Beltway RESOURCE BANK
Greater DC-Area Libraries
Alexandria Public Libraries
Information on collections, branch locations.
http://www.alexandria.lib.va.usAlliance Francaise Library
Lending library for members. Offers print and audio/visual materials in French.
http://www.francedc.org/en/library.aspxAmerican Institute of Architects Library
Circulating library; non-members can purchase annual borrowing privileges.
http://library.aia.orgArlington County Public Libraries
Information on collections, branch locations.
http://www.co.arlington.va.us/libArthur D. Jenkins Library of Textile Arts
Literature and visual resources in the field of textile studies. While international in scope, the holdings emphasize the traditional cultures of the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Open stack policy. Located in the Textile Museum.
http://www.textilemuseum.org/education/library.htmAssassination Archives and Research Center
Acquires, preserves, and provides information on political assassinations. Open by appointment.
http://www.aarclibrary.orgBiblioteca Catalana
Catalan reading library of the Fundacio Pauli Bellet, located on the second floor of the Kensington Row Bookshop in Kensington, MD.
http://www.catalansdc.comCarmelitana Collection
Research library for scholars of the Carmelite Tradition in Roman Catholic Spirituality.
http://carmelites.org/carmlibrary.htmCenter for the Book
"Established to stimulate public interest in books, reading, and libraries and to encourage the study of books and print culture." Runs affiliated centers in 39 states and Washington, DC. Hosted by the Library of Congress.
http://lcweb.loc.gov/loc/cfbookCollingwood Library and Museum on Americanism
Library in Alexandria, VA dedicated to American history and culture with over 6,000 volumes.
http://www.collingwoodlibrary.comDAR Library
One of the largest geneological libraries in the world, sponsored by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
http://www.dar.org/library/DC Public Library
Connections to collections, great web exhibit on the Harlem Renaissance and DC, and useful general information in the community links section about DC government, media, colleges and universities, museums, neighborhoods, etc.
http://www.dclibrary.orgDumbarton Oaks Libraries
Collections on Byzantine art and archeology, Pre-Columbian art, rare book room.
http://www.doaks.org/library/library_info.htmlFairfax County Public Libraries
Information on collections, branch locations. Also information on the annual literary festival they co-sponsor, Fall for the Book.
http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/living/librariesFamily History Center
A geneological library run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Kensington.
http://www.genhomepage.com/LDS.htmlThe Folger Shakespeare Library
Shakespeare holdings include 79 copies of the First Folio, as well as collections in Early English books, Continental books, special collections from the 16th and 17th centuries, and manuscripts. Also offers seminars for scholars and teachers.
http://www.folger.eduThe Foundation Center
Non-circulating library with information on foundations, corporate giving programs, and government grants in the US and abroad. Provides resources for non-profit organizations and for individuals seeking financial support. Offers classes in fundraising. DC is the location of one of their 5 sites across the US.
http://www.fdncenter.orgGerman Historical Institute Library
Free, public, noncirculating collection. Specializes in materials on German history, and German-American relations.
http://www.ghi-dc.org/library.htmlHistorical Society of Washington, DC Kiplinger Research Library
Library collections include books, prints, photographs, publications, maps, manuscripts, memorabilia, and 3D objects that document DC, its families, businesses, and neighborhoods. Non-circulating collection.
http://www.citymuseumdc.org/Do_Research/The Library of Congress
A great resource. Information on the extensive collections (books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, prints, recordings, etc.), as well as the numerous public programs including readings and films and author talks. Special features of the site include "This Day in History"; web exhibits on such topics as Thomas Jefferson, Russia, Bob Hope; the American Memory section with connections to original reference materials; and a children's section. Beautifully done. Also of special interest is the Archive of Recorded Poetry and Literature, begun in 1943; appointments to listen to audio recordings or view videos must be made in advance with the Recorded Sound Reference Center (202-707-7833) or Motion Picture and Television Reading Room (202-707-8572), respectively.
http://www.loc.govMiddle East Institute
The George Camp Keiser Library houses a comprehensive English language collection on the Middle East.
http://www.themiddleeastinstitute.orgMoorland-Spingarn Research Center
One of the best facilities in the world for studying African-American history and culture is housed at Howard University.
http://www.howard.eduMontgomery County Public Libraries
Information on collections, branch locations.
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/libraries/index.aspNational Archives and Records Administration
Information on the collections, how to conduct geneological searches, and on their excellent free series of author talks and films.
http://www.nara.govNational Gallery of Art Libraries
Art research library, curatorial records, gallery archives, photo archives, slide library.
http://www.nga.gov/resources/resource.htmNational Geographic Society Library
Collections devoted to geography and world travel.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/library/National Library of Medicine
The largest medical library in the world is housed in Rockville, MD. Established in 1836, it actually pre-dates the National Institutes of Health, of which it is now a part.
http://www.nlm.nih.govNational Trust for Historic Preservation Library
A resource center for the study of historic preservation, housed at the University of Maryland Libraries.
http://www.lib.umd.edu/NTL/ntl.htmlOrganization of American States Columbus Memorial Library
Printed works related to Latin America and the Caribbean, with additional titles about Spain, Portugal, France, and the US, grouped by subjects such as law, political science, art, technology, economics, rural and urban development, music, education, human rights, history, and geography.
http://www.oas.orgPolish Library in Washington
Circulating library serving the Polish community as well as others interested in Polish literature, culture, history, and present-day Poland. Books, periodicals, videos. Membership fee charged for use.
http://www.polishlibrary.orgPrince George's County Public Libraries
Information on collections, branch locations.
http://www.prge.lib.md.usProvisions Library
A resource center for activism and the arts, dedicated to creating a "safe space for the exploration and expression of often forbidden and suppressed ideas..." Open by appointment.
http://www.provisionslibrary.org/Scottish Rite Temple Library and Archives
The first public free library in DC was run by Freemasons, and still stands at 16th and S Streets NW. The non-circulating collection houses works on freemasonry, of course, but also has the largest collection on Scottish poet Robert Burns outside of Edinburgh, various Americana holdings such as William Penn's 1665 prayer book, and rooms memorializing Burl Ives and J. Edgar Hoover. Plus the building is cool: modelled after the mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, it was designed by John Russell Pope, and completed in 1915, with 900 pound leather-encased doors and 105-foot high ceilings on the first floor.
http://www.srmason-sj.orgSmithsonian Institution Libraries
17 branches that reflect the focus of the various museums: natural history, American ethnography and culture, American history, science and technology, etc.
http://www.sil.si.eduThe Society of the Cincinnati Library
Collection on the people and events of the American Revolution, open to researchers by appointment.
http://www.thesocietyofthecincinnati.addr.com/library.htmThe Society of Women Geographers Library and Archives
Small non-circulating collection in a Capitol Hill rowhouse of geography, adventure, travel, tourism and world culture, written by women. Open by appointment.
http://www.iswg.orgTransAfrica Forum
The Arthur Ashe Foreign Policy Library has a non-circulating collection on US-African and US-Caribbean political policy, history, and culture. Housed in a Dupont Circle mansion.
http://www.transafricaforum.orgUniversity Libraries
For information about the collections at area colleges and universities, click on each school, and follow the links to find each library.
http://www.50states.com/college/dc.htmU.S. Geological Survey Library
The largest earth science library in the world, with collections in the areas of geology, hydrology, cartography, and biology, has four locations: Denver, Flagstaff, Menlo Park, CA, and Reston,VA.
http://library.usgs.gov/index.htmlU.S. Holocaust Research Institute
One of the world's largest reference collections on the Holocaust, this collection encompasses photography, film, and oral histories in addition to printed matter. Housed at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.
http://www.ushmm.orgU.S. Naval Observatory Library
Astronomical resources, historic photo collection, artwork and historic objects.
http://www.usno.navy.mil/library/working.html