How does the Library of Congress obtain local history and genealogy publications? Can I donate my family history?
Gifts
The Library of Congress accepts published genealogy and local history publications (subject to review by Library staff). We will accept unpublished materials on a case-by-case basis. Unpublished materials must be bound, and we strongly encourage the use of acid-free paper. The Library will not accept raw research notes, such as family group sheets, or media such as thumb or flash drives, CDs, or DVDs but may accept eBooks (PDF, EPUB) if appropriate for our collection.
To propose a donation, visit the Library's donation form or contact the History and Genealogy Section to discuss your publication.
If the Library chooses to accept your donation, bring the book to the Main Reading Room, located on the first floor of the Jefferson Building (LJ-100). Or send your donation by FedEx or UPS to:
Library of Congress
U.S. Special Acquisitions - RG
101 Independence Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20540-4275
gifts@loc.gov
Please do not use postal mail as the security screening process may damage materials.
Donors sending electronic publications can use our History and Genealogy Ask a Librarian form.
Donations to the Library of Congress will be acknowledged, and may be tax deductible, depending on the donor's own tax situation.
Purchase
If it is not possible for you to donate your publication to the Library, we will make every effort to purchase a copy, subject to the availability of funds. Please contact our Ask a Librarian service with the publisher's name, address, and telephone number, along with the author, title, and price of the book so that we may evaluate your book for purchase.
Copyright
When copyright deposit copies of published genealogies are sent to the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress, it is not necessary to donate additional gift copies. Copyrighted published genealogies are automatically added to the Library's collections. Further information about copyright registration is available from:
Library of Congress
U.S. Copyright Office
Publications Section
101 Independence Avenue, SE #6300
Washington, DC 20559-6300
(202) 707-3000 or 1-877-476-0778 (toll free)
http://www.copyright.gov/
copyinfo@loc.gov
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Additional Ways to Contact Us
Send written correspondence to:
Researcher Engagement and General Collections
Local History and Genealogy
101 Independence Ave. SE
Thomas Jefferson Building, LJ 100
Washington, D.C. 20540-4660
Please Note
The staff of the Library of Congress cannot undertake research in family history or heraldry. In order to perform work of this nature satisfactorily, it is necessary to identify a particular branch of the family concerned, and, because of the time and effort involved, searches for this kind of information usually require the services of a professional genealogist or heraldic searcher.