Attachment J2 - Library Business Areas.pdf

8/8/2025

Attachment J2 - Library Business Areas

a. Library services to include acquisition, organization, preservation, custody, interpretation, and access of Library collections. Library Services include the acquisition of materials in all formats and subjects from all over the world. Services include descriptive cataloging of physical attributes of material, assignment of intellectual responsibility for content and the forms of names to be represented in the catalog, and the subject analysis, classification, and shelf listing of materials with unique call numbers. Library services also include the access, organization, description, custody and security of general and international collections, particularly published, textual resources in the classified and international collections, including rare materials. The services include the provision of expert knowledge for the development, acquisition, and interpretation of the collections, including web-based publications and programs, public events and exhibits.

Processes include collections control and inventory management. Public service reading rooms provide reader, reference, and specialized research services to users. Preservation services includes preservation and physical protection of Library materials, including binding, repairing, conserving, de-acidifying, reformatting, environmental monitoring of collections, and scientific research and testing of collections and supplies.

Services offered by the Law Library of Congress include the provision of Congress with timely, innovative and high-quality foreign, comparative, international and U.S. law research and reports.

National Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) provides braille and talking books to people who cannot read standard print due to visual, physical, perceptual or reading limitations. NLS is modernizing its services through initiatives including refreshable braille displays and developing a braille e-reader for patrons. In addition to acquiring and providing commercial audiobooks, the NLS studio oversees the narration of audiobooks not commercially available.

b. U.S. Copyright services include registering creative works, recording information about copyright ownership and implementing certain statutory licenses. The U.S. Copyright Office administers the nation’s copyright laws for the advancement of the public good and the benefit of authors and users of creative works. The office provides expert impartial assistance to Congress, the courts and executive branch agencies on questions of domestic and international copyright law and policy. Services include receipt, examination, registration, recordation, licensing, and legal advisement, to include training for Library staff and patrons on processes and procedures and the use of the Enterprise Copyright System. The Copyright office oversees recordation, the reservation and maintenance of records and public access to these records in physical and digital formats. Staff publicly record documents pertaining to copyright, including documents that transfer copyright ownership, contributing to the world’s largest database of records of copyright ownership. Copyright is undergoing a modernization effort to develop a robust and flexible Enterprise Copyright System to automate all public services.

The Copyright Royalty Board administers the royalty Provisions of the Copyright Act including claims adjudication.

c. Congressional Research services include non-partisan research, analysis, information and confidential consultation for the support of legislative, oversight and representational duties.

Library Congressional Research Service (CRS) staff advice and assist any committee of the Senate or House of Representatives and any joint committee of Congress in the analysis, appraisal, and evaluation of legislative proposals within that committee’s jurisdiction, or of any recommendations submitted to Congress. The CRS staff collect, classify, and analyze data and generate studies, reports, compilations, digests, bulletins, indexes, translations, and other informative content. The CRS staff prepare summaries and digests of bills and resolutions of a public general nature and develop and maintain an information and research capability.

d. Information technology and Software development services seek to transform the Library of Congress into a data-driven and digitally enabled institution. The CIO builds and sustains the information technology to drive innovation across the enterprise. Services include the delivery of IT security, network operations and end-user services for all Library employees. Services entail the adaptation of project management methods and techniques to deliver IT projects. The Library is focused on modernization to better serve Congress, including the Integrated Research Information System for the Congressional Research Service, the Enterprise System for the US Copyright Office, to transition of the BARD digital download system to the cloud on behalf of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, and the next-generation Integrated Library System and STACKS to manage secure access to rights-restricted collections content.

Leveraging agile development techniques and user experience design, the Library manages the continuous delivery of new functionality and content for library web services including congress.gov, loc.gov, and the Constitution Annotated.

e. Financial management services include: the establishment of budgetary and accounting standards; budget preparation; allotment of funds; control of expenditures; disbursement, collection, and investment of funds; accounts payable; purchase and travel card program management; financial administration of grants; and financial reporting. Services include liaison with federal agencies and staff and preparation of reports for transmittal to these agencies. The Library hosts a legislative branch financial management and reporting system as a shared service.

f. Human Capital services develop and implement human capital policies, programs, systems, and procedures to include recruitment, employee relations and performance management, employee services and benefits to include compensation, health and life insurance, the Thrift Savings Plan, retirement counseling, incentives and awards, transit subsidy, new employee orientation, and employee assistance and counseling. Services include information technology support to human capital systems and users. Systems include the Human Capital Services Portal, EmpowHR, USAJobs, USA Performance, and the Library’s Learning Management System, LOC Learn. Services also include assessment and analysis of workforce survey results and competency needs assessments and addressing employee concerns and needs.

g. Contracts and Grants services include the acquisition of goods and services for the Library including the solicitation, negotiation, award, and administration of contracts, grants, and other agreements. Services also include the placement of foreign scholars, fellowships, and award of prizes on behalf of the Library. The acquisition workforce includes contracting officers and specialists as well as contracting officer representatives, program and project managers, resource managers, executive leadership, and administrative staff who oversee or manage the Library’s contracts and agreements. Warranted contracting officers sign contracts, orders, and modifications to obligate the Library under contract terms. Contracting officers designate representatives, or CORs, throughout the Library to monitor contractor performance, inspect and accept goods and services, and review and approve invoices for payment.

h. Integrated Facilities Support Services includes oversight of: the structural, mechanical, and custodial care of Library buildings and leased space; medical support services; motor vehicle fleet; warehouses; mail, distribution, and freight; printing, duplication, composing, graphics, design, signage, forms, and administrative copiers; environmental health and safety, and fire protection; occupational health; space planning and utilization; and interior design services.

i. Security and Emergency Preparedness services include protection of Library staff and visitors; liaison with the U.S. Capitol Police; physical and electronic security of Library facilities, collections, assets, and classified information; administration of Library personnel security and suitability programs; and management of the Library’s emergency preparedness program. The Security and Emergency Preparedness staff conduct security assessments of high-value collections areas, provide security support for signature events, and assess contract and federal persons for security and suitability. The Library requires training for staff, contractors, and patrons related to continuity of operations and emergency preparedness training.

j. Business Enterprise services include research and analysis; cataloging, bibliographic resources, archival reproductions and retail sales; and education and training resources for federal agencies and libraries. The FEDLINK program leads a consortium of federal libraries and offers federal agencies an assisted acquisitions option for information resources and services by procuring library and research materials, providing training and education, participating in policymaking discussions and sharing expertise and experience throughout the federal library community.

k. Communication services include advice on legislative matters relating to the Library and providing official information about the Library. The Library acts to protect the Library’s name, seal and logos, and disseminate information in all media to make the Library of Congress and its resources more widely known and accessible.

l. Development services include the solicitation of private resources to support Library programs, particularly cultural and educational outreach activities. The Library conducts a systematic, vigorous, and productive fund-raising program by developing individual, corporate, and foundation relationships to strengthen Library programs and extend Library services to new constituencies.

m. Records management services include the preservation of official records, including digital records, which document the work of the Library and the disposition of them according to instructions issued by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

n. Legal and regulatory services include development of and advice on all legal and related policy matters arising under the laws and regulations governing and/or affecting the administration and operation of the Library, including its cooperative and other special programs, both national and international. Services include litigation in which the Library is a party, counsel to the Library’s Executive Committee, and consultation and coordination with congressional oversight committees on legal matters. Counsels supervise legal matters in varied subject areas, including, administrative, fiscal, contract, cultural institutions, ethics, intellectual property, employment and labor, legislation, litigation, and regulations.

o. Leadership and Management services involve development, execution, and oversight of a strategic plan and vision, including organizational structure and culture, roles and responsibilities of managers and leaders, change management, motivation and negotiation, and conflict and empowerment. Services also include principles of risk identification, mitigation and management.