David Thomas: “On April 24, 2000, the Library of Congress will celebrate its bicentennial. With House Concurrent Resolution 269, we…”

“On April 24, 2000, the Library of Congress will celebrate its bicentennial. With House Concurrent Resolution 269, we commend the Library and its staff for two hundred years of service to the Congress and to the American people, and encourage all Americans to participate in the Library's bicentennial activities. On April 24, 1800, President John Adams approved legislation appropriating funds for purchasing 'such books as may be necessary for use of the Congress.' The first collection of 740 books and 3 maps arrived in 1801 and was stored in the U.S. Capitol, the Library's first home. On January 26, 1802, President Jefferson approved the first law which defined the role and functions of this new institution, creating the post of Librarian of Congress and creating the Joint Committee on the Library to oversee the Library's activities. Since then, the Library's collections have grown to some 119 million items, making it the largest library in the world.”