Chapter 4: Librarians' Wall

Transcript

As you step out of the Librarian’s Ceremonial Office, turn right then right again at the top of the staircase. Around the corner, you should see two busts, and a marble wall with names inscribed with gold. Let’s stop here to talk more about the work of the Librarians of Congress.

President Thomas Jefferson named the first Librarian of Congress in 1802. For over 200 years, each Librarian has contributed to this institution’s progress. In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Ainsworth Rand Spofford to be the sixth Librarian of Congress. Over the course of his thirty years in this role, Spofford brought the US Copyright Office under the Library’s umbrella, petitioned Congress to fund this building, and oversaw its design and construction. Herbert Putnam, the eighth Librarian, established an interlibrary loan system to make the Library’s resources accessible across the country and extended its classification and cataloging schemes to libraries worldwide.

The position continues to be filled by presidential nomination to this day. Here’s Dr. Carla Hayden on her role and vision for the Library:

“I was nominated by President Obama in 2016, and during my time in this role, I am focused on broadening access to ensure that all Americans are connected to the Library of Congress. I invite everyone, at any age, to explore our website, loc.gov, which is full of information that’s available to you anywhere, anytime. And, if you’re sixteen or over, you can register for a Reader’s Card to conduct research in the many reading rooms here.”

This tour continues on the second floor mezzanine.