Big Changes at the Library of Congress

Fall has arrived again and I have migrated back to Washington, DC. I had read that Dr. James Billington, the Librarian of Congress, retired at the end of September and that David Mao, former Law Librarian of Congress, was appointed as Acting Librarian of Congress. Mao shared his vision for the Library of Congress in this online interview.

When I checked back in at the Law Library of Congress, I learned that Roberta Shaffer, former Law Librarian of Congress before David Mao, was back as the Acting Law Librarian of Congress. I know the Library and Law Library will be in good hands with these two outstanding law librarians at the helm until permanent replacements have been appointed. There has been some debate over whether the new Librarian should be an actual librarian, but the decision rests with the President and Congress who will make and confirm the appointment.

Another less massive, but quite useful change, was the enhancement of the Law Library’s Global Legal Monitor. Additionally there continue to be improvements made to Congress.gov, which now includes over one million items. I will keep you posted about other changes as they occur.