Librarian of Congress

Head of the Library of Congress

Librarian of Congress

Seal of the Library of Congress

Flag of the Library of Congress

Incumbent
Disputed[a]
Robert Newlen (acting)
since May 8, 2025
Todd Blanche (acting)
since May 12, 2025

Library of Congress
Appointer| President of the United States
with Senate advice and consent
Term length| Ten years
Inaugural holder| John J. Beckley
Formation| 1800
Deputy| Disputed
Vacant (since May 8, 2025)
Brian Nieves (acting) (since May 12, 2025)[1]
Salary| US$203,700
Level II of the Executive Schedule[2]
Website| loc.gov/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 also appoints and oversees the Register of Copyrights of the U.S. Copyright Office and 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] In addition, the librarian appoints the U.S. poet laureate and awards the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

## History

[edit]

On April 24, 1800, the 6th United States Congress passed and President John Adams signed an appropriations bill that created the Library of Congress.[7] This statute provided "for the removal [from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.] and accommodation of the Government of the United States". The fifth section of the act created the Library of Congress and designated some of its early functions, including "the acquisition of books for congressional use, a suitable place in the Capitol in which to house them, a joint committee to make rules for their selection, acquisition, and circulation", as well as an appropriation of $5,000 for the new library.[8]

In 1802, two years after the creation of the library, President Thomas Jefferson signed into law a bill that created the Office of the Librarian and granted the president power of appointment for the new office.[9] Shortly thereafter, Jefferson appointed his former campaign manager John J. Beckley to serve as the first librarian of Congress.[10] He was paid $2 a day and was also required to serve as clerk to the House of Representatives.[11] It was not until 1897 that the Senate was given the power to confirm the president's nominee.[12] This same law gave the librarian the sole power for making the institution's rules and appointing the library's staff.[12]

Until the nomination of Herbert Putnam in 1899 under President McKinley, all previous librarians lacked any prior experience in the profession of librarianship; these librarians had held roles in journalism, law, writing, publishing, academia, and politics.[13] Even to this day, only three librarians – four including acting librarian David S. Mao in 2015 – had previously been librarians.[citation needed]

## Appointment, term length, and salary

[edit]

From its creation until 2015, the post of the librarian was not subject to term limits and allowed incumbents to maintain a lifetime appointment once confirmed.[14] Most librarians of Congress have served until death or retirement.[12] There were only 13 librarians of Congress in the more than two centuries from 1802 to 2015, and the library "enjoyed a continuity of atmosphere and of policy that is rare in national institutions".[15] In 2015, Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed into law the "Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015",[16] which put a 10-year term limit on the position with an option for reappointment.[17][18] The legislation was seen as a critique of Librarian James H. Billington's unwillingness to hire a permanent chief information officer to effectively manage and update the library's information technology.[14][19]

According to Section 136-1 of Title 2 of the U.S.C., the librarian of Congress shall be appointed to office by a nomination from the president and the advice and consent of the Senate. The librarian may then serve for a term of 10 years and be reappointed to the post with the same procedure. The librarian of Congress shall be compensated for his/her services with the equivalent of the rate of pay set by Level II of the Executive Schedule.[citation needed]

## Qualifications

[edit]

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 professional librarians 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".[20] In 1989, Congressman Major 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.[21]

## List of librarians of Congress

[edit]

The following persons have served as the librarian of Congress:[22]

Denotes acting capacity.

No. | Image  | Librarian  | Start  | End  | Notes  | Nominated by

|
|
|
|
|
|

1  |  | John Beckley[b] | January 26, 1802 | April 8, 1807[c] | [23] | Thomas Jefferson
2  |  | Patrick Magruder | November 6, 1807 | January 28, 1815 | [24]
3  |  | George Watterston | March 21, 1815 | May 28, 1829 | [25] | James Madison
4  |  | John Meehan | May 28, 1829 | May 23, 1861 | [26] | Andrew Jackson
5  |  | John Stephenson | May 24, 1861 | December 31, 1864 | [27] | Abraham Lincoln
6  |  | Ainsworth Spofford | December 31, 1864 | June 30, 1897 | [28]
7  |  | John Young | July 1, 1897 | January 17, 1899[c] | [29] | William McKinley
Acting  |  | Ainsworth Spofford | January 18, 1899 | December 11, 1899 | [30] |
8  |  | Herbert Putnam | December 12, 1899 | October 1, 1939 | [31] | William McKinley
9  |  | Archibald MacLeish | October 2, 1939 | December 19, 1944 | [32] | Franklin D. Roosevelt
acting  |  | Luther Evans | December 19, 1944 | June 29, 1945 | [33][34] | Harry S. Truman
10  | June 30, 1945 | July 5, 1953
Acting  |  | Verner Clapp | July 6, 1953 | August 30, 1954 | [35] |
11  |  | Quincy Mumford | September 1, 1954 | December 31, 1974 | [36][37] | Dwight D. Eisenhower
Acting  |  | John Lorenz | January 1, 1975 | November 11, 1975 | [38] |
12  |  | Daniel Boorstin | November 12, 1975 | June 15, 1987 | [39][40] | Gerald Ford
13  |  | James Billington | September 14, 1987 | September 30, 2015 | [41][42] | Ronald Reagan
Acting  |  | David Mao | October 1, 2015 | September 13, 2016 | [43] |
14  |  | Carla Hayden | September 14, 2016 | May 8, 2025 | [44][45] | Barack Obama
Acting
Disputed[a] |  | Robert Newlen | May 8, 2025 | present  | [47][48][46] |
Acting
Disputed[a] |  | Todd Blanche | May 12, 2025 | present  | [47][48][49][50][46] |

### Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Since Hayden's dismissal by Donald Trump, the role of acting librarian has been disputed between the principal deputy, Newlen, and Trump's named appointee, Blanche.[46]
2. ^ Was also the clerk of the House.
3. ^ a b Died in office

## Timeline of librarians of Congress

[edit]

Beckley (1802–07)

Magruder (1807–15)

Watterston (1815–29)

Meehan (1829–61)

Stephenson (1861–64)

Spofford (1864–97)

Young (1897–99)

Putnam (1899–1939)

MacLeish (1939–44)

Evans (1945–53)

Mumford (1954–74)

Boorstin (1975–87)

Billington (1987–2015)

Hayden (2016–2025)

1802

1812

1822

1832

1842

1852

1862

1872

1882

1892

1902

1912

1922

1932

1942

1952

1962

1972

1982

1992

2002

2012

2022

Librarians of Congress (1802–present)
Acting librarian*

## See also

[edit]

* List of librarians
* Parliamentary Librarian of Canada

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Maya C. Miller (May 12, 2025). "Trump Installs Top Justice Dept. Official at Library of Congress, Prompting a Standoff". The New York Times.
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 February 14, 2014.
3. ^ "US Code, Title 2, Chapter 5, Section 136-1 – Appointment and term of service of Librarian of Congress". Cornell University: Legal Information Institute. November 5, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
4. ^ Roy, Blunt (November 5, 2015). "S.2162 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015". congress.gov. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
5. ^ "US Code, Title 17, Chapter 12, Section 1201 - Circumvention of copyright protection systems". Cornell University: Legal Information Institute. 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
6. ^ "Section 1201: Exemptions to Prohibition Against Circumvention of Technological Measures Protecting Copyrighted Works". U.S. Copyright Office. 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
7. ^ "History of the Library of Congress". loc.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
8. ^ Librarians of Congress, 1802-1974. Washington: Library of Congress. 1977. pp. vii. ISBN 0844402389.
9. ^ "The Library of Congress a Documentary History" (PDF). academic.lexisnexis.com. Lexis Nexis. 1987. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
10. ^ "Librarians of Congress". American Libraries Magazine. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
11. ^ Murray, Stuart (2009). The Library: An Illustrated History. New York: Skyhorse Pub. Chicago :ALA Editions, 2009.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: postscript (link)[page needed]
12. ^ a b c d e "Librarians of Congress". Jefferson's Legacy: A Brief History of the Library of Congress. Library of Congress. March 30, 2006. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
13. ^ "Jefferson's Legacy: A Brief History of the Library of Congress -- LIBRARIANS OF CONGRESS". Library of Congress.
14. ^ a b Recio, Maria (October 31, 2015). "Librarian of Congress Gets a Due Date". McClatchy DC. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
15. ^ Librarians of Congress: 1802-1974. Washington: Library of Congress. 1977.
16. ^ Pub. L. 114–86 (text) (PDF)
17. ^ 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.
18. ^ "Public Law 114-86" (PDF). Congress.gov. November 5, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
19. ^ McGlone, Peggy (March 31, 2015). "America's 'national library' is lacking in leadership, yet another report finds". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
20. ^ Vitz, Carl (1945). "Re: Librarian of Congress". ALA Bulletin. Vol. 39, no. 2\. p. 62.
21. ^ Congressional Bill; 101 Bill Profile H.R. 1255- Appointment of the Librarian of Congress. Sponsor: Major Owens (D- NY). March 2, 1989, Congress Session 101-1.
22. ^ "Previous Librarians of Congress". Library of Congress.
23. ^ "John James Beckley (1757-1807)". Library of Congress.
24. ^ "Patrick Magruder (1768-1819)". Library of Congress.
25. ^ "George Watterston (1783-1854)". Library of Congress.
26. ^ "John Silva Meehan (1790-1863)". Library of Congress.
27. ^ "John G. Stephenson (1828-1883)". Library of Congress.
28. ^ "Ainsworth Rand Spofford (1825-1908)". Library of Congress.
29. ^ "John Russell Young (1840-1899)". Library of Congress.
30. ^ "John Russell Young and Herbert Putnam: 1897-1939". Library of Congress.
31. ^ "Herbert Putnam (1861-1955)". Library of Congress.
32. ^ "Archibald MacLeish (1892-1982)". Library of Congress.
33. ^ "Luther Evans (1902-1981)". Library of Congress.
34. ^ "Freedom's Fortress: The Library of Congress, 1939 to 1953". Library of Congress.
35. ^ "Verner Warner Clapp". Library of Congress Information Bulletin. 31 (25): 278. June 23, 1972.
36. ^ "Mumford Sworn In As Library's Head". The New York Times. September 2, 1954. p. 19.
37. ^ "Lawrence Quincy Mumford (1903-1982)". Library of Congress.
38. ^ D'Allesandro, Edward A. (1999). "Chapter 28. I Become a Virginian, a Beltway Commuter and Special Assistant in the Reference Department of the Library of Congress". My Father Was a Tailor.
39. ^ Suplee, Curt (December 10, 1986). "Boorstin to Leave Library". The Washington Post.
40. ^ "Daniel J. Boorstin (1914-2004)". Library of Congress.
41. ^ "James H. Billington (1929-2018)". Library of Congress.
42. ^ "Billington to Retire September 30". Library of Congress. September 24, 2015.
43. ^ "An interview with David Mao". American Libraries. October 13, 2015.
44. ^ Limbong, Andrew (September 14, 2016). "First Woman And African-American Sworn In As Librarian Of Congress". All Things Considered. NPR.
45. ^ "President Trump fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden". NPR. May 9, 2025.
46. ^ a b c Gerstein, Josh; Tully-McManus, Katherine (May 12, 2025). "The Leadership of the Library of Congress Is in Apparent Dispute". Politico. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
47. ^ a b Italie, Hillel; MIN KIM, SEUNG (May 12, 2025). "Deputy attorney general who defended Trump in hush money trial is named acting librarian of Congress". AP News. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
48. ^ a b Jiang, Weijia; McFarlane, Scott; Kates, Graham. "Justice Department's Todd Blanche appointed acting Librarian of Congress". CBS News. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
49. ^ Ulaby, Neda (May 12, 2025). "The President has named a new Acting Librarian of Congress. It's his former defense lawyer". NPR. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
50. ^ "Deputy attorney general who defended Trump in hush money trial named acting Librarian of Congress". AP News. May 12, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025.

## Further reading

[edit]

* "Hiring: The First Librarian of Congress for the Internet Age". The Atlantic. June 2015.
* "Many Choices for Obama in Replacing Billington at Library of Congress". The New York Times. June 2015.
* Alan S. Inouye (June 2015). "Who Should Be the Next Librarian of Congress? Wrong Question!". Roll Call.
* Jessamyn West (July 2015). "The Next Librarian of Congress". Medium. The Message.
* Andrew Albanese (July 2015). "Could the Nomination of the Next Librarian of Congress Spark a Political Battle?". Publishers Weekly.

* v
* t
* e

Librarians of Congress

* John J. Beckley (1802–1807)
* Patrick Magruder (1807–1815)
* George Watterston (1815–1829)
* John Silva Meehan (1829–1861)
* John Gould Stephenson (1861–1864)
* Ainsworth Rand Spofford (1864–1897)
* John Russell Young (1897–1899)
* Herbert Putnam (1899–1939)
* Archibald MacLeish (1939–1944)
* Luther H. Evans (1945–1953)
* Lawrence Quincy Mumford (1954–1974)
* Daniel J. Boorstin (1975–1987)
* James H. Billington (1987–2015)
* Carla Hayden (2016–present)

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