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: 07/18/2012