You might think the largest library in the world would be in Europe.But it isn't.It's in Washington, D.C.It's called the Library of Congress.
如果你認(rèn)為世界上最大的圖書館在歐洲，那你就錯了。實際上，世界上最大的圖書館在美國哥倫比亞特區(qū)華盛頓，稱為國會國書館。
President John Adams started the library in 1800 for members of Congress.He wanted them to be able to read books about law.The first 740 books were bought in England.They were simply set up in the room where Congress met.Then Thomas Jefferson sold Congress many of his own books.He felt Congress should have books on all subjects, not just on law.This idea changed the library for good.
這座圖書館是約翰·亞當(dāng)斯總統(tǒng)在1800年為國會議員們建立的。他想讓議員們閱讀到有關(guān)法律方面的書籍。首批740本藏書是從英國購進(jìn)的，這些書被隨便放在國會開會的地方。后來湯姆·杰斐遜把自己許多藏書賣給了國會，他認(rèn)為國會應(yīng)有各類書籍，不應(yīng)該僅收藏一點法學(xué)書籍，這種觀點給國會藏書帶來永久性的變化。
The library grew and grew.Now it covers acres of land.It contains 20 million books as well as scores of picture, movies, globes and machines.Experts in every field work there.Hundreds of people call every day with all kinds of questions.Many of them get answers right over the phone.
國會圖書館越變越大，現(xiàn)在它已占地數(shù)英畝。收藏了2千多萬冊書。除此之外，還收藏了好多圖片、影片、地球儀和機(jī)器。每一個學(xué)科的專家在這兒都有一席之地。每天有好幾百人打電話查詢各種各樣的問題。他們中有許多從電話中得到了滿意的答案。
The library is a huge storehouse.Thomas Edison's first movie and Houdini's magic books reside there.And it is the proud owner of the world's best collection of comic books.
這座圖書館是一個巨大的收藏室。托馬斯愛迪生發(fā)明的第一部電影和霍迪尼的魔術(shù)書都收藏在這里。值得驕傲的是：它還是世界上最大的喜劇書籍擁有者。