Timeline: 1871-1921
1872
Charles Henry Wharton Meehan dies; Charles W. Hoffman appointed as second Law Librarian of Congress
1880
House of Representatives grants Law Librarian floor privileges
1884
Senate grants Law Librarian floor privileges
1888
Act of July 11 provides that Law Library must be kept open whenever either chamber of Congress is in session
1897
Thomas Jefferson Building opens to house the Library of Congress; Law Library remains in Capitol Building
1907
On 75th Anniversary, Law Library mounts exhibition with American Association of Law Libraries
1908
Publication of “Index Analysis of the Federal Statutes,” by George Winfield Scott (Fifth Law Librarian) and Middleton Goldsmith Beaman (Sixth Law Librarian)
1911
Dr. Edwin Montefiore Borchard, international law expert, appointed Law Librarian
1914
Legislative Reference Service (LRS), predecessor to Congressional Research Service, established under direction of Law Librarian
1917
Main site of law collection established in Northeast Pavilion of Jefferson Building, while Law Library remains in Capitol
1921
Directorship of LRS becomes separate position
Law Library becomes responsible for Congressional requests for foreign law research, while LRS becomes responsible for American law and public policy Congressional requests
Last Updated: 04/04/2011
