Library to Host Monthly Saturday Family Days in 2026

Themes include George Washington’s Birthday, Maps, and Birds at the Library The Library of Congress will host monthly Family Days on select Saturdays throughout 2026, including programming focused on America’s 250th anniversary. The year begins with events exploring President George Washington’s birthday, maps, and birds found in the Library’s architecture and collections. In 2026, the Library is commemorating America’s 250th anniversary under the theme It’s Your Story, offering an opportunity for everyone to discover part of America’s story in the world’s largest research collections. Families and visitors of all ages are invited to participate in collections-based activities for budding researchers and explore exhibitions on display in the Thomas Jefferson Building during Family Days. Each program includes a creative activity, connections to Library of Congress collections, a chance to talk to staff experts, and a guide to using Library resources at home. All events are free of charge. Programming Highlights February Family Day: Happy Birthday, George Washington! Feb.14: Join us for activities and collections displays in honor of George Washington’s birthday. Enjoy hands-on celebratory activities and talk to Manuscripts Division staff about the first president and related Library resources. Explore “The Two Georges” exhibition to learn about the parallel lives of George Washington and King George III. The program will be held on the mezzanine level of the Library’s Jefferson Building from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 14. The event is free, but tickets are required for the Jefferson Building. Register for free tickets. March Family Day: Mapping a New Nation March 14, 2026: Families are invited to create their own maps in celebration of the 250th anniversary of American Independence. Find inspiration in maps from the colonial to the post-Revolutionary War periods and learn more about early American cartography from Geography and Map Division staff. The program will be held on the mezzanine level of the Jefferson Building from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on March 14. The event is free, but tickets are required for the Jefferson Building. Register for free tickets. April Family Day: Birds at the Library? April 11, 2026: Explore how birds are highlighted throughout the Library. Seek out wise owls and American eagles in the Thomas Jefferson Building and discover how widely birds of all kinds are represented in the collections. Make your own bird to add to a Family Day flock or to take home. Browse collection images and learn more about ornithology, birdwatching and research resources through displays and from staff specialists from the Science and Business Reading Room. Activities will be held on the mezzanine level of the Library’s Jefferson Building from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is free, but tickets are required for the Jefferson Building. Register for free tickets. The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world — both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov, and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.