Library of Congress
founded 1800
"The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress."
It was established in 1800 by an act of congress as a reference library for Congress. It was burned in 1814 by the British, but was rebuilt with the donation of Thomas Jefferson's personal library. Ainsworth Rand Spofford (Librarian of Congress 1864 - 1897) "was responsible for the copyright law of 1870, which required all copyright applicants to send to the Library two copies of their work." Today the Library of Congress describes itself as the largest library in the world.
It was established in 1800 by an act of congress as a reference library for Congress. It was burned in 1814 by the British, but was rebuilt with the donation of Thomas Jefferson's personal library. Ainsworth Rand Spofford (Librarian of Congress 1864 - 1897) "was responsible for the copyright law of 1870, which required all copyright applicants to send to the Library two copies of their work." Today the Library of Congress describes itself as the largest library in the world.
"History of the Library," Library of Congress, http://www.loc.gov/about/history-of-the-library/ (accessed 02/23/2015)