A Very DC Question
From regular commenter Joseph Finn comes this question:
“Does the Librarian of Congress have to resign with each administration?”
Many political appointees to non-political posts do have to resign with each administration, only to be re-appointed by fiat of the new administration, but, as Librarian Billington has served as the Librarian of Congress since the Reagan Administration, I wasn’t sure if his post was “at the pleasure of the President” or some other term.
We’ve sent email to the Librarian’s office hoping to find out, but maybe you know? Answer in the comments!
Main Reading Room Ceiling — Originally uploaded by tbridge
According to this website the rules for Librarian of Congress are unofficial but the standard seems to be that the term is a lifetime appointment.
Whups, I mean according to this webpage.
Thank you kindly, Don! I didn’t run across that, but it does seem to tie in with the odd duck aspect of the position since Jefferson appeared to have appointed his campaign manager as the first Librarian.
More importantly, how do *I* get to be Librarian of Congress? Just for the cocktail party small talk value- "What do you do?" "Oh, I’m the Librarian of Congress…"
You must have to go to school for it! Oh and have friends in low places!
Amanda