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Librarian of Congress

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Librarian of Congress
Seal of the Library of Congress
Flag of the Library of Congress
Portrait of James H. Billington
Incumbent
David S. Mao
Acting
Library of Congress
Inaugural holderJohn J. Beckley
Formation1800
DeputyDavid Mao[1]
SalaryUS$183,300
Level II of the Executive Schedule[2]
Websitewww.loc.gov/about/librarianoffice/

The Librarian of Congress is the head of the Library of Congress, appointed by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the United States Senate,[3] for a term of ten years.[4] The Librarian of Congress appoints the U.S. Poet Laureate.

The Librarian of Congress has broad responsibilities around copyright, extending to electronic resources and fair use provisions outlined in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The Librarian determines whether particular works are subject to DMCA prohibitions regarding technological access protection.[5][6]

History

The United States Congress established the Library of Congress (Library) in 1800 via an appropriations bill signed by President John Adams.[7] In 1802, two years after the creation of the Library, President Thomas Jefferson approved a Congressional Act that created the Office of the Librarian and granted the President power of appointment over the new office.[8] Shortly thereafter, Jefferson appointed his former campaign manager John J. Beckley to serve as the first Librarian of Congress.[9] It was not until 1897 that Congress was given the power to confirm the President’s nominee. This same law gave the Librarian the sole power for making the institution’s rules and appointing the Library’s staff.[10]

For the majority of its history, the position was not subject to term limits, essentially making an appointment a life-term.[11] Most Librarians of Congress have served until death or retirement.[12] As a result, from 1802 to 2015, the United States only had 13 appointed Librarians and the Library "enjoyed a continuity of atmosphere and of policy that is rare in national institutions."[13] However, in 2015, Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed into law the "Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015" that puts a 10-year term limit on the position with an option for reappointment.[14][15] The legislation was seen as a critique of Librarian James Billington's 28-year tenure, at the end of which he was accused of rampant mismanagement.[11][16]

There are no laws or regulations delineating qualifications for the office holder.[12] The position of Librarian of Congress has been held by candidates of different backgrounds, interests, and talents, throughout its history. Politicians, businessmen, authors, poets, lawyers, and one professional librarian have served as the Librarian of Congress.[12] However, at various times there have been proposals for requirements for the position. In 1945, Carl Vitz, then president of the American Library Association, wrote a letter to the President of the United States regarding the position of Librarian of Congress, which had recently become vacant. Vitz felt it necessary to recommend potential librarians. Vitz stated the position "requires a top-flight administrator, a statesman-like leader in the world of knowledge, and an expert in bringing together the materials of scholarship and organizing them for use—in short, a distinguished librarian."[17] In 1989, Congressman Major R Owens (D–NY) introduced a bill to set stricter requirements for who may be appointed. He argued appointed Librarians need to have specialized training; the bill did not become law.[18]

Librarians of Congress

  1. John J. Beckley (1802–1807)
  2. Patrick Magruder (1807–1815)
  3. George Watterston (1815–1829)
  4. John Silva Meehan (1829–1861)
  5. John Gould Stephenson (1861–1864)
  6. Ainsworth Rand Spofford (1864–1897)
  7. John Russell Young (1897–1899)
  8. Herbert Putnam (1899–1939)
  9. Archibald MacLeish (1939–1944)
  10. Luther H. Evans (1945–1953)
  11. Lawrence Quincy Mumford (1954–1974)
  12. Daniel J. Boorstin (1975–1987)
  13. James H. Billington (1987–2015)
  14. David S. Mao (2015-Present), Acting

On February 24, 2016, Dr. Carla D. Hayden was nominated to the post by President Barack Obama. She would be the first African-American and the first woman to serve in the post, and is awaiting confirmation by the Senate. [19]


See also

References

  1. ^ Osterberg, Gayle (January 22, 2015). "Senior Staff Appointments | News Releases - Library of Congress". loc.gov. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  2. ^ "US Code, Title 2, Chapter 5, Section 136a–2: Librarian of Congress and Deputy Librarian of Congress; compensation". Cornell University: Legal Information Institute. 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  3. ^ "US Code, Title 2, Chapter 5, Section 136 - Librarian of Congress; appointment; rules and regulations". Cornell University: Legal Information Institute. 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  4. ^ Roy, Blunt, (2015-11-05). "S.2162 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2015-11-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "US Code, Title 17, Chapter 12, Section 1201 - Circumvention of copyright protection systems". Cornell University: Legal Information Institute. 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Section 1201: Exemptions to Prohibition Against Circumvention of Technological Measures Protecting Copyrighted Works". U.S. Copyright Office. 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  7. ^ "History of the Library of Congress". loc.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  8. ^ "The Library of Congress a Documentary History" (PDF). academic.lexisnexis.com. Lexis Nexis. 1987. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  9. ^ "Librarians of Congress". americanlibrariesmagazine.org. American Libraries Magazine. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  10. ^ "Library of Congress". Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  11. ^ a b Recio, Maria (October 31, 2015). "Librarian of Congress Gets a Due Date". McClatchy DC. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  12. ^ a b c "Librarians of Congress". Jefferson's Legacy: A Brief History of the Library of Congress. loc.gov. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  13. ^ Librarians of Congress: 1802-1974. Washington: Library of Congress. 1977.
  14. ^ Congressional Bill; 114 Bill Profile S.2162- An Act To establish a 10-year term for the service of the Librarian of Congress. Sponsor: Roy Blunt and Charles Schumer. November 5, 2015. Public law 114-86.
  15. ^ "Public Law 114-86" (PDF). Congress.gov. GPO. November 5, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  16. ^ McGlone, Peggy (March 31, 2015). "America's 'national library' is lacking in leadership, yet another report finds". Washington Post. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  17. ^ Vitz, Carl (1945). "Re: Librarian of Congress". ALA Bulletin. 39 (2): 62. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  18. ^ Congressional Bill; 101 Bill Profile H.R. 1255- Appointment of the Librarian of Congress. Sponsor: Major R Owens (D- NY). March 02, 1989, Congress Session 101-1.
  19. ^ "Obama nominates first black, female librarian of Congress". TheHill.

Further reading


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