Sleepover at the Washington Post for Inauguration?

The Washington Post is hosting a sleepover Monday night before the Inauguration.

Concerned that reporters and editors might not be able to navigate the anticipated traffic or security zones set of by the U.S. Secret Service, the newspaper told staffers it would open up three meeting rooms in its 15th Street headquarters and the auditorium.

“Anyone wanting to spend the night will need to bring their own bed/cot/sleeping bag/air mattress/whatever,” said the memo, signed by Deputy Managing Editor Milton Coleman. “(All the available cots in the area were rented out months ago).”

The Post is offering showers in the first floor health club; dinner will be served until 11 p.m. Monday night.

If cell phones fail, some Post staffers will be equipped with walkie-talkies.

And beware of photographers lurking around 1150 15th Street; they will be recording “a visual documentary of the Inauguration to be published in book form and DVD two weeks later.”

>> See all inauguration coverage

Harry Jaffe