The circular panels above the doorways by Frank Weston Benson (1862–1951) represent Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. The names and quotes in the Great Hall were chosen by Librarian of Congress Ainsworth Rand Spofford (1825–1908) and Charles W. Eliot (1834–1926), president of Harvard University.

IT IS THE MIND THAT MAKES THE MAN, AND OUR VIGOR
IS IN OUR IMMORTAL SOUL
Ovid (43BC–AD17), Metamorphoses (AD8)

THEY ARE NEVER ALONE THAT ARE ACCOMPANIED WITH NOBLE THOUGHTS
Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586), Arcadia (1590)

MAN IS ONE WORLD AND HATH ANOTHER TO ATTEND HIM
George Herbert (1593–1633), The Temple (1633)

TONGUES IN TREES, BOOKS IN THE RUNNING BROOKS,
SERMON IN STONES,
AND GOOD IN EVERYTHING
William Shakespeare (1564–1616), As You Like It, act 2, sc. 1 (ca. 1600)