United States Statutes at Large/Volume 2/7th Congress/1st Session/Chapter 2
Chap. II.—An Act concerning the Library for the use of both Houses of Congress.[1]
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the books and Certain books and maps to be deposited together in a room in the Capitol.maps purchased by direction of the act of Congress, passed the twenty-fourth of April, one thousand eight hundred, together with the books or libraries which have heretofore been kept separately by each house, shall be placed in the Capitol, in the room which was occupied by the House of Representatives, during the last session of the sixth Congress.
Certain regulations in relation to the library to be formed by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, for the time being, be, and they hereby are empowered to establish such regulations and restrictions in relation to the said library, as to them shall seem proper, and from time to time, to alter or amend the same: Provided, that no regulation shall be made repugnant to any provision contained in this act.
A librarian to be appointed, who shall give bond, &c.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That a librarian to be appointed by the President of the United States solely, shall take charge of said library, who, previous to his entering upon the duties of his office, shall give bond, payable to the United States, in such a sum, and with such security as the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, for the time being, may deem sufficient, for the safe keeping of such books, maps and furniture as may be confided to his care, and the faithful discharge of his trust, according to such regulations as may be, from time to time, established for the government of the said library;Bond to be deposited in the office of Secretary of the Senate. which said bond shall be deposited in the office of the secretary of the Senate.
No maps to be taken out of the library.
Who may take out books.Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That no map shall be permitted to be taken out of the said library by any person; nor any book, except by the President and Vice President of the United States, and members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for the time being.
Pay of the librarian, &c.
To be paid out of the contingent fund of Congress.Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the keeper of the said library shall receive for his services, a sum not exceeding two dollars per diem, for every day of necessary attendance; the amount whereof, together with the necessary expenses incident to the said library, after being ascertained by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, for the time being, shall be paid out of the fund annually appropriated for the contingent expenses of both Houses of Congress.
Manner of purchasing books for the library under a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives.Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the unexpended balance of the sum of five thousand dollars appropriated by the act of Congress aforesaid, for the purchase of books and maps for the use of the two houses of Congress, together with such sums as may hereafter be appropriated to the same purpose, shall be laid out under the direction of a joint committee, to consist of three members of the Senate, and three members of the House of Representatives.
Approved, January 26, 1802.
- ↑ The acts for the establishment and regulation of the Library of Congress, are: An act concerning
the library for the use of both houses of Congress, January 26, 1802, chap. 2; an act in addition to an act entitled, “An act concerning the library of both houses of Congress,” May 1, 1810, chap. 50; an act to authorize the purchase of the library of Thomas Jefferson, late President of the United States, January 30, 1815, chap. 127; an act providing for the settlement of certain accounts against the library of Congress, for extending the privilege of using books therein, and for establishing the salary of the librarian, April 16, 1816, chap. 46; an act fixing the compensation of the secretary of the Senate, and clerk of the House of Representatives, of the clerks employed in their offices, and of the librarian, April 18, 1818, chap. 64. Resolution granting permission to the judges of the Supreme Court of the United States to use the books in the library of Congress, March 2, 1812. An act to increase and improve the law department of the library of Congress, July 14, 1832, chap. 221.