Student Scholarship

Document Type

Research Paper

Abstract

This research paper traces the evolution of the Legislative Reference Service (LRS) within the Library of Congress from its conceptual beginnings in the early 20th century to its formal establishment and significant expansion following the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946. Originally, the Library’s primary objective was service to Congress, but as legislative needs became more complex, a dedicated staff of experts became necessary to gather, digest, and compile data specifically for legislative duties.

Early efforts were championed by figures like Librarian Herbert Putnam and Senator Robert La Follette, leading to an initial appropriation in 1915 to employ competent persons for indexing and digesting law. For several decades, the Service operated with a focus on librarianship and legal indexing, but it eventually faced increasing pressure to provide scholarly research and counsel that could compete with the expertise available to the Executive Branch and private interest groups.

The turning point occurred with the passage of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (Public Law 601). This legislation elevated the LRS to the status of a department within the Library and authorized the appointment of Senior Specialists in broad fields such as agriculture, labor, and international affairs. These specialists were tasked with providing nonpartisan, unbiased analysis and assisting committees with hearings and policy evaluation.

Despite early political scrutiny and budgetary "buffeting" regarding the perceived personal philosophies of its staff, the LRS successfully demonstrated its utility. By 1950, congressional inquiries had surged to over 34,000 annually, reflecting a growing reliance on the Service as a "third man" for research in a legislator's busy life. The study concludes that the LRS had become an indispensable, nonpartisan filter through which Congress could obtain the factual information necessary for modern governance.

Research Highlights

  • The Problem: The researcher addresses the establishment and growth of the Legislative Reference Service (L.R.S.) to meet the increasing complexity of legislation and Congress's need for a dedicated staff of experts independent of the Executive Branch.

  • The Method: The study utilizes historical records, including Annual Reports of the Librarian of Congress from 1914–1949, Congressional Records, legislative acts, and personal interviews with three Congressmen and seven office staff members conducted in late 1950 and early 1951. 

  • Quantitative Finding: Congressional inquiries to the L.R.S. rose from 1,019 in fiscal year 1921 to 36,021 in 1950; the L.R.S. budget was $25,000 in 1915 and grew to $475,000 by 1949; the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 authorized 19 senior specialist positions. 

  • Qualitative Finding: The L.R.S. follows core ideals of personal character for each inquiry, speed in reporting, and strict impartiality; specialized sections include American Law, Economics, Foreign Affairs, and a Senior Specialists Section for policy analysis; the service provides basic data studies, bill digests, and summaries of committee hearings. 

  • Finding: The passage of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 successfully elevated the L.R.S. to a department status, enabling it to provide technical research and analysis at a level comparable to the Executive Branch.

Publication Date

1-1951

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