House Votes Name Change: Law Library of Congress to Become the National Law Library

The House has voted overwhelmingly in favor on a bill that would rename the Law Library of Congress as the National Law Library. The bill also establishes the William Orton Law Library Support Program, which allows the Library to accept donations in partnership with other organizations.  Any money received is in addition  to regular budgeted funds from Congress, and not meant to supplant appropriations to run the Library.  The Librarian of Congress is directed to separate out the Law Libraries expenses and salaries as a line item in preparing budget requests.  Is the National Law Library on the road to becoming its own agency?  The bill is the William Orton Law Library Improvement and Modernization Act, H.R. 2728.  It is now pending in the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.  Should the act be signed into law, new business cards are in order.  [MG]