Librarian of Congress
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, for a term of ten years. The Librarian of Congress appoints the U.S. Poet Laureate.
The Librarian of Congress 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.
History
The library was established with $5,000 given by the United States legislation. The original library was first housed in the new Capitol until August 1814, when invading British troops set fire to the Capitol Building, burning and destroying all the contents contained in the library. In 1802, two years after the creation of the Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson appointed the first Librarian of Congress. The law created in regards to this position gave the power of appointment to the President of the United States. It was not until 1897 that Congress was given the power to confirm the President’s nominee. This same law gave the Librarian the sole power for making the institution’s rules and appointing the Library’s staff.