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LABOR DAY HOLIDAY: On Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 The Library of Congress, including all reading rooms and exhibits will be closed to the public. Regularly scheduled access resumes on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Research Center African and Middle Eastern Reading Room

About this Reading Room

African and Middle Eastern Division Reading Room open house with visitors looking at books on desks and talking with librarians.

AMED Reading Room in LJ229 Open House Event

Martha Koome, Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, presents a signed copy of her autobiography, Courting Courage, to Abdulahi Ahmed, Bianna Ine-Ryan and Florence Mugambi.

Martha Koome, Chief Justice & President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, presents her autobiography, Courting Courage.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib(D-MI) looks at books about and by Arab Americans in a display prepared by Arab Librarian Huda Dayton and Arab Area Specialist Muhannad Salhi, Ph.D. during Arab American Heritage Congressional Event.

Librarian Huda Dayton and Specialist Muhannad Salhi, Ph.D. showcase Arab American books to Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).

African and Middle Eastern Division staff stand behind tables with new acquisitions displayed.

AMED staff display rare new materials during New Acquisitions event.

Dungan Community members from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan stand behind a table with Kazak and Kyrgyz flags and books in their language they are donating to the Library.

Dungan Community from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan display gift books written in their language.

Kluge scholar Ali Boozari discusses Iranian and Indian lithographed books he used in his research displayed on table with mahogany bookcases in the background.

Kluge scholar Ali Boozari discusses Iranian and Indian lithographed books he used in his research.

Ara Dinkjian played selections from his collection of over 6,000 78rpm records.

Early recordings of Armenian Classics Vardanants Day Lecture.

‘poetry books on display in African, Middle Eastern and Hebraic languages with AMED staff interpreting.'

Poetry in African, Middle Eastern and Hebraic Languages display for Live at the Library Poetry Night Event.

Featured Collections

Postcard 28 - Missiriba, the Grand Mosque of Kong in Northern Cote d'Ivoire. Mosque has center square tower with four small towers on each side. Africana Historic Postcard Collection
Illuminated manuscript depicting a man playing a harp. Hebraic Manuscripts
Illuminated manuscript page decorated in brilliant colors. Armenian Rarities Collection
See more collections

Most Recent Blog Posts

The African and Middle Eastern Division’s America 250 Retrospective of “4 Corners” Salhi, Muhannad 2026-07-27
Highlights from the Library’s Yiddish Collection: Its Diversity of Subject Matter and Value to Researchers Salhi, Muhannad 2026-07-24
The Portuguese Affair: The Arabic Manuscripts of Lisbon Salhi, Muhannad 2026-05-14
1776: Jews and the American Revolution Salhi, Muhannad 2026-05-01
“4 Corners” Turns 10! Reflections on a Decade of Blog Writing Loar, Jonathan 2026-04-28
Pressing the Past: Materials, Markets, and Meaning Salhi, Muhannad 2026-04-15
See more blog posts

Location

Library of Congress
10 First St., SE
Thomas Jefferson Building, LJ 229
Washington, DC 20540-4810
View map External link

Hours

Public Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed Saturdays, Sundays & Federal Holidays