[edit] Guide Note:
The Library of Congress is the research division of the United States Congress as well as the unofficial library of the United States. It is the largest library in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, containing a comprehensive collection of government publications, books, periodicals, comic books, microfilm reels, and other items. Its collections also house an original Gutenberg Bible and two Stradivarius violins.
[edit] History
The Library of Congress began in 1800 with 740 books, and 30 Maps, ordered from London as a result of legislation that provided $5,000 "for the purchase of such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress ..., and for fitting up a suitable apartment for containing them....". The library was housed in the Capitol building in Washington, DC. It was destroyed during the War of 1812, and rebuilt with Thomas Jefferson's personal library. During the 1850's the Smithsonian Museum lobbied Congress to have its library be the official national library, and when its efforts failed, its 40,000 volumes were donated to the Library of Congress.
[edit] Fast Facts:
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Librarian of Congress: James H. Billington
- Founded: April 24, 1800
- Books held: Approximately 30,000,000
- Total Collection: Over 135,000,000 items
- Annual Budget: Approximately $600 million
- Employees: Approximately 4,000
[edit] Library of Congress collection history
- 1800: 740 books
- 1802: 3,000 books
- 1851: 55,000 books
- 1876: 300,000 books
- 1897: 840,000 books
- 2008: 30 million books
[edit] Librarians of Congress
- 1802-1807: John James Beckley
- 1807–1815: Patrick Magruder
- 1815–1829: George Watterston
- 1829–1861: John Silva Meehan
- 1861–1864: John Gould Stephenson
- 1864–1897: Ainsworth R.Spofford
- 1897–1899: John Russell Young
- 1899–1939: Herbert Putnam
- 1939–1944: Archibald MacLeish
- 1945–1953: Luther H. Evans
- 1954–1974: Lawrence Q. Mumford
- 1975–1987: Daniel J. Boorstin
- 1987– : James H. Billington
