Folger Shakespeare Library - Washington DC

Folger Shakespeare Library

The Folger Shakespeare Library has the world's largest collection of the printed works of William Shakespeare. The most popular work in their Shakespeare collection is the first collected edition of Shakespeare's works, printed in 1623 and known as the First Folio. The entire collection contains about 280,000 books and manuscripts, and 27,000 paintings, drawings, prints, and engravings.

The library is located a few blocks away from the U.S. Capitol Building, the Library of Congress and the House and Senate Office Buildings.

Hours Of Operation

Public

Monday - Saturday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday
12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Reading Room

Monday - Friday
8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Sunday
9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Parking

The Library does not have a visitor parking lot, and only a few street-parking spots are available. The parking meters closest to the library have a 2-hour limit and are enforced until 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On weekdays, paid parking may be available at the National Capital Bank on Pennsylvania Avenue, near Third Street. Paid parking is also available at Union Station, a short taxi ride from the Folger Shakespeare Library.