[DOCID:198805tx_xxx-8]
From the Government Manual Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Page 55-62]
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20540
Phone, 202-707-5000. Internet, www.loc.gov.
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington
Deputy Librarian of Congress Donald L. Scott
Chief of Staff JoAnn Jenkins
Associate Librarian for Library Services Deanna Marcum
Associate Librarian for Human Resources Services Teresa Smith
Director, Congressional Research Service Daniel P. Mulhollan
Register of Copyrights and Associate Librarian Marybeth Peters
for Copyright Services
Law Librarian Rubens Medina
General Counsel Elizabeth Pugh
Inspector General Karl Schornagel
Chief, Collections Access, Loan, and Management Steven Herman
Division
Library of Congress Trust Fund Board
Chairman (Librarian of Congress) James H. Billington
(Secretary of the Treasury) John W. Snow
(Chairman, Joint Committee on the Library) Ted Stevens
(Vice Chairman, Joint Committee on the Library) Vernon Ehlers
Members Ruth Altshuler, Edwin
L. Cox,
Elisabeth De
Vos, Leo
Hindery, John
Kluge, Tom
Luce, Bernard
Rapoport, B.
Francis Saul
II
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[[Page 56]]
The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States,
offering diverse materials for research including the world's most
extensive collections in many areas such as American history, music, and
law.
The Library of Congress was established by act of April 24, 1800 (2
Stat. 56), appropriating $5,000 ``for the purchase of such books as may
be necessary for the use of Congress . . . .'' The Library's scope of
responsibility has been widened by subsequent legislation (2 U.S.C. 131-
168d). The Librarian, appointed by the President with the advice and
consent of the Senate, directs the Library.
The Library's first responsibility is service to Congress. As the
Library has developed, its range of service has come to include the
entire governmental establishment and the public at large, making it a
national library for the United States.
Activities
Collections The Library's extensive collections are universal in scope.
They include books, serials, and pamphlets on every subject and in a
multitude of languages, and research materials in many formats,
including maps, photographs, manuscripts, motion pictures, and sound
recordings. Among them are the most comprehensive collections of
Chinese, Japanese, and Russian language books outside Asia and the
former Soviet Union; volumes relating to science and legal materials
outstanding for American and foreign law; the world's largest collection
of published aeronautical literature; and the most extensive collection
in the Western Hemisphere of books printed before 1501 A.D.
The manuscript collections relate to manifold aspects of American
history and civilization, and include the personal papers of most of the
Presidents from George Washington through Calvin Coolidge. The music
collections contain volumes and pieces--manuscript and published--from
classic works to the newest popular compositions. Other materials
available for research include maps and views; photographic records from
the daguerreotype to the latest news photo; recordings, including
folksongs and other music, speeches, and poetry readings; prints,
drawings, and posters; government documents, newspapers, and periodicals
from all over the world; and motion pictures, microforms, and audio and
video tapes.
Reference Resources Admission to the various research facilities of the
Library is free. No introduction or credentials are required for persons
over high school age. Readers must register by presenting valid photo
identification with a current address, and for certain collections there
are additional requirements. As demands for service to Congress and
Federal Government agencies increase, reference service available
through correspondence has become limited. The Library must decline some
requests and refer correspondents to a library within their area that
can provide satisfactory assistance. While priority is given to
inquiries pertaining to its holdings of special materials or to subjects
in which its resources are unique, the Library does attempt to provide
helpful responses to all inquirers. Online reference service is also
available through the ``Ask a Librarian'' site, at www.loc.gov/rr/
askalib.
Copyrights With the enactment of the second general revision of the
U.S. copyright law by Act of July 8, 1870 (16 Stat. 212-217), all
activities relating to copyright, including deposit and registration,
were centralized in the Library of Congress. The Copyright Act of 1976
(90 Stat. 2541) brought all forms of copyrightable authorship, both
published and unpublished, under a single statutory system which gives
authors protection immediately upon creation of their works. Exclusive
rights granted to authors under the statute include the right to
reproduce and prepare derivative works, distribute copies or
phonorecords, perform and display the work publicly, and in the
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case of sound recordings, to perform the work publicly by means of a
digital audio transmission. Works eligible for copyright include
literary works (books and periodicals), musical works, dramatic works,
pantomimes and choreographic works, pictorial, graphic, and sculptural
works, motion pictures, sound recordings, vessel hull designs, mask
works, and architectural works. Serving in its capacity as a national
registry for creative works, the Copyright Office registers more than
500,000 claims to copyright annually (representing more than 800,000
works) and is a major source of acquisitions for the universal
collections of the Library of Congress. Most of the information
available on paper is also accessible online, at www.loc.gov/copyright.
Extension of Service The Library extends its service through the
following:
--an interlibrary loan system;
--the photoduplication, at reasonable cost, of books, manuscripts,
maps, newspapers, and prints in its collections;
--the sale of sound recordings, which are released by its Recording
Laboratory;
--the exchange of duplicates with other institutions;
--the sale of CD-ROM cataloging tools and magnetic tapes and the
publication in book format or microform of cumulative catalogs, which
make available the results of the expert bibliographical and cataloging
work of its technical personnel;
--a centralized cataloging program whereby the Library of Congress
acquires material published all over the world, catalogs it promptly,
and distributes cataloging information in machine-readable form and
other means to the Nation's libraries;
--a cooperative cataloging program whereby the cataloging of data,
by name authority and bibliographic records, prepared by other libraries
becomes part of the Library of Congress database and is distributed
through the Catologing Distribution Service;
--a cataloging-in-publication program in cooperation with American
publishers for printing cataloging information in current books;
--the National Serials Data Program, a national center that
maintains a record of serial titles to which International Standard
Serial Numbers have been assigned and serves, with this file, as the
United States Register; and
--the development of general schemes of classification (Library of
Congress and Dewey Decimal), subject headings, and cataloging, embracing
the entire field of printed matter.
Furthermore, the Library provides for the following:
--the preparation of bibliographical lists responsive to the needs
of Government and research;
--the maintenance and the publication of cooperative publications;
--the publication of catalogs, bibliographical guides, and lists,
and of texts of original manuscripts and rare books in the Library of
Congress;
--the circulation in traveling exhibitions of items from the
Library's collections;
--the provision of books in braille, electronic access to braille
books on the Internet, ``talking books,'' and books on tape for the
blind and the physically handicapped through 140 cooperating libraries
throughout the Nation;
--the distribution of its electronic materials via the Internet; and
--the provision of research and analytical services on a fee-for-
service basis to agencies in the executive and judicial branches.
Congressional Research Service Congress created the Congressional
Research Service (CRS) to serve its legislative needs for nonpartisan
and objective research and analysis. CRS works exclusively for the
Congress by providing timely and confidential research and analysis to
Members, committees, and their staff on all public policy issues of
interest to the Congress, at all stages of the legislative process. CRS
staff is comprised of recognized experts in many disciplines, including
American law, economics, foreign affairs, the physical sciences,
environmental science, public administration, and the social and
political sciences.
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CRS policy experts and information specialists work closely with
Members and committees to explain policy problems; develop options and
legislative proposals; conduct legal analysis of pending legislation;
deliver expert testimony before congressional committees; prepare
products on current legislative issues; write confidential memoranda;
and provide personal consultations. The Service also provides seminars
on public policy and legal issues as well as training on the legislative
and budget processes.
For further information, call 202-707-5700.
American Folklife Center The Center was established in the Library of
Congress by Act of January 2, 1976 (20 U.S.C. 2102 et seq.). It
supports, preserves, and presents American folklife by receiving and
maintaining folklife collections, scholarly research, field projects,
performances, exhibitions, festivals, workshops, publications, and
audiovisual presentations. The Center has conducted projects in many
locations across the country, such as the ethnic communities of Chicago,
IL; southern Georgia; a ranching community in northern Nevada; the Blue
Ridge Parkway in southern Virginia and northern North Carolina; and the
States of New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Montana. The projects have
provided large collections of recordings and photographs for the Archive
of Folk Culture. The Center administers the Federal Cylinder Project,
which is charged with preserving and disseminating music and oral
traditions recorded on wax cylinders dating from the late 1800s to the
early 1940s. A cultural conservation study was developed at the Center,
in cooperation with the Department of the Interior, pursuant to a
congressional mandate. Various conferences, workshops, and symposia are
given throughout the year.
The Folklife Center News, a quarterly newsletter, and other
informational publications are available upon request. Many Center
publications and a number of collections are available online through
the Internet, at www.loc.gov/folklife.
The American Folklife Center maintains and administers the Archive
of Folk Culture, an extensive collection of ethnographic materials from
this country and around the world. It is the national repository for
folk-related recordings, manuscripts, and other unpublished materials.
The Center's reading room contains over 3,500 books and periodicals; a
sizable collection of magazines, newsletters, unpublished theses, and
dissertations; field notes; and many textual and some musical
transcriptions and recordings. The American Folklife Center also
administers the Veterans History Project. Established by Congress in
2000, the purpose of the Veterans History Project is to record and
preserve for future generations the first-person accounts of war
veterans, including Members of Congress.
For further information, call 202-707-5510.
Center for the Book The Center was established in the Library of
Congress by an act of October 13, 1977 (2 U.S.C. 171 et seq.), to
stimulate public interest in books, reading, and libraries, and to
encourage the study of books and print culture. The Center is a catalyst
for promoting and exploring the vital role of books, reading, and
libraries--nationally and internationally. As a partnership between the
Government and the private sector, the Center for the Book depends on
tax-deductible contributions from individuals and corporations to
support its programs.
The Center's activities are directed toward the general public and
scholars. The overall program includes reading promotion projects with
television and radio networks, symposia, lectures, exhibitions, special
events, and publications. More than 90 national educational and civic
organizations participate in the Center's annual reading promotion
campaign.
All 50 States and the District of Columbia have established
statewide book centers that are affiliated with the Center for the Book
in the Library of Congress. State centers plan and fund
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their own projects, involving members of the State's ``community of the
book,'' including authors, readers, prominent citizens, and public
officials who serve as honorary advisers.
For further information, contact the Center for the Book. Phone, 202-
707-5221. Fax, 202-707-0269. E-mail, cfbook@loc.gov.
National Film Preservation Board The National Film Preservation Board,
presently authorized by the National Film Preservation Act of 1996 (2
U.S.C. 179), serves as a public advisory group to the Librarian of
Congress. The Board works to ensure the survival, conservation, and
increased public availability of America's film heritage, including
advising the Librarian on the annual selection of films to the National
Film Registry and counseling the Librarian on development and
implementation of the national film preservation plan. Key publications
are Film Preservation 1993: A Study of the Current State of American
Film Preservation, Redefining Film Preservation: A National Plan, and
Television and Video Preservation 1997: A Study of the Current State of
American Television and Video Preservation.
For further information, call 202-707-5912.
National Sound Recording Preservation Board The National Sound
Recording Preservation Board,established in 2000 by Public Law 106-474,
includes three major components: a National Recording Preservation
Advisory Board, which brings together experts in the field, a National
Recording Registry, and a fundraising foundation, all of which are
conducted under the auspices of the Library of Congress. The purpose of
the Board is to create and implement a national plan for the long-term
preservation and accessibility of the Nation's audio heritage. It also
advises the Librarian on the selection of culturally, aesthetically, or
historically significant sound recordings to be included on the National
Recording Registry. The national recording preservation program will set
standards for future private and public preservation efforts and will be
conducted in conjunction with the state-of-the-art National Audio-Visual
Conservation Center the Library is developing in Culpeper, VA.
For further information, call 202-707-5856.
Preservation The Library provides technical information related to the
preservation of library and archival material. A series of handouts on
various preservation and conservation topics has been prepared by the
Preservation Office. Information and publications are available from the
Office of the Director for Preservation, Library of Congress,
Washington, DC 20540-4500. Phone, 202-707-1840.
Sources of Information
Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Talking and braille
books and magazines are distributed through 140 regional and subregional
libraries to blind and physically handicapped residents of the United
States and its territories. Qualified users can also register for Web-
Braille, an Internet-based service. Information is available at public
libraries throughout the United States and from the headquarters office,
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped,
Library of Congress, 1291 Taylor Street NW., Washington, DC 20542-4960.
Phone, 202-707-5100.
Cataloging Data Distribution Cataloging and bibliographic information
in the form of microfiche catalogs, book catalogs, magnetic tapes, CD-
ROM cataloging tools, bibliographies, and other technical publications
is distributed to libraries and other institutions. Information about
ordering materials is available from the Cataloging Distribution
Service, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20541-4910. Phone, 202-707-
6100. TDD, 202-707-0012. Fax, 202-707-1334. E-mail,
cdsinfo@mail.loc.gov.
Library of Congress card numbers for new publications are assigned
by the Cataloging in Publication Division. Direct inquiries to CIP
Division, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20540-4320. Phone, 202-
707-6372.
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Contracts Persons seeking to do business with the Library of Congress
should contact the Contracts and Logistics Services, Room 325, John
Adams Building, Washington, DC, 20540-9410. Phone, 202-707-0419.
Copyright Services Information about the copyright law (title 17 of the
U.S. Code), the method of securing copyright, and copyright registration
procedures may be obtained by writing to the Copyright Office, Library
of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20559-6000.
Phone, 202-707-3000. Copyright information is also available through the
Internet, at www.loc.gov/copyright. Registration application forms may
be ordered by calling the forms hotline at 202-707-9100. Copyright
records may be researched and reported by the Copyright Office for a
fee; for an estimate, call 202-707-6850. Members of the public may use
the copyright card catalog in the Copyright Office without charge. The
database of Copyright Office records cataloged from January 1, 1978, to
the present is available through the Internet, at www.loc.gov/copyright/
rb.html. The Copyright Information Office is located in Room LM-401,
James Madison Memorial Building, 101 Independence Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20559-6000, and is open to the public Monday through
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. eastern time, except Federal holidays.
Employment Employment inquiries should be directed to Human Resources
Services, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20540-2200. Vacancy announcements and applications are also available
from the Employment Office, Room LM-107, 101 Independence Avenue SE.
Phone, 202-707-4315. Internet, www.loc.gov/hr/employment.
Photoduplication Service Copies of manuscripts, prints, photographs,
maps, and book material not subject to copyright and other restrictions
are available for a fee. Order forms for photoreproduction and price
schedules are available from the Photoduplication Service, Library of
Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20540-4570. Phone,
202-707-5640.
Publications A list of Library of Congress publications, many of which
are of interest to the general public, is available through the
Internet, at www.loc.gov. A monthly Calendar of Events, listing programs
and exhibitions at the Library of Congress, can be mailed regularly to
persons within 100 miles of Washington, DC. Make requests to Office
Systems Services, Mail and Distribution Management Section, Library of
Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20540-9441.
Reference and Bibliographic Services Guidance is offered to readers in
the identification and use of the material in the Library's collections,
and reference service in answer to inquiries is offered to those who
have exhausted local, State, and regional resources. Persons requiring
services that cannot be performed by the Library staff can be supplied
with names of private researchers who work on a fee basis. Requests for
information should be directed to the Reference Referral Service,
Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20540-
4720. Phone, 202-707-5522. Fax, 202-707-1389.
Research and Reference Services in Science and Technology Reference
specialists in the Science, Technology, and Business Division provide a
free service in answering brief technical inquiries entailing a
bibliographic response. Requests for reference services should be
directed to the Science, Technology, and Business Division, Library of
Congress, Science Reference Section, 101 Independence Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20540-4750. Phone, 202-707-5639. Internet, www.loc.gov/
rr/scitech.
Research Services in General Topics Federal Government agencies can
procure directed research and analytical products on foreign and
domestic topics using the collections of the Library of Congress through
the Federal Research
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Division. Science, technology, humanities, and social science topics of
research are conducted by staff specialists exclusively on behalf of
Federal agencies on a fee-for-service basis. Requests for service should
be directed to the Federal Research Division, Marketing Office, Library
of Congress, Washington, DC 20540-4840. Phone, 202-707-3909. Fax, 202-
245-3920.
For further information, contact the Public Affairs Office, Library of
Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20540-8610. Phone,
202-707-2905. Fax, 202-707-9199. Internet, www.loc.gov.
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