Steve said

The Folklife Reading Room in the Jefferson Building is a boon. The staff themselves are some of my primary sources.

LCK said

As a media historian, I often feel that I must work hard to shore up my "real research" street cred. Many fellow historians look down embarrasedly at their shoes if you mention needing to rewatch something on your TiVo before you teach a class.
The LoC has really helped me out in this area. When I need to see old 60s TV shows that are [gasp] not yet released on DVD, I can get them delivered to me on real film, in real silver canisters up in the Moving Image Reading Room. I even have to wear white cotton gloves so that I don't contribute to the decay of the archive. I felt my research credibility skyrocket the minute that I put them on.

MLM said

I love the LOC too! (Is it LC or LOC? Apparently, there is an ideological debate on this question.)

Anyway, I think the new system where you can order books in advance is awesome. And there are wonderful databases that are web-based, but which you can use only on-site. I use the Black Studies Center database a fair amount.

The special entrance for researchers makes me feel important.

But surely the best part is that, when you need a break, the glories of cute diners and good cafes are steps away.