[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 234 (Friday, December 5, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64279-64280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31752]


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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

36 CFR Part 701

[Docket No. LOC 98-1]


Assignment of Special Research Facilities

AGENCY: Library of Congress.

ACTION: Final regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Library of Congress issues this final regulation to revise 
Library of Congress Regulation 815-3. The revised regulation will 
reflect the change in availability for assignment of study shelves, 
study desks and study rooms, the renaming of the responsible division 
from General Reading Rooms Division to Humanities and Social Sciences 
Division and to the Congressional Relations Office for study rooms for 
Congressional use.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 5, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lana Kay Jones, Acting General 
Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, Library of Congress, 
Washington, D.C. 20540-1050. Telephone No. (202) 707-6316.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Regulation states the Library's policy 
regarding the assignment of special research facilities, including 
study shelves, desks, and other facilities designed for the use of 
scholars

[[Page 64280]]

involved in extensive research using materials from the Library's 
collections.

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 701

    Libraries, Seals and insignias.

Regulation

    In consideration of the foregoing the Library of Congress amends 36 
CFR part 701 to read as follows:

PART 701--PROCEDURES AND SERVICES

    1. The authority citation for part 701 will continue to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 2 U.S.C. 136.

    2. Section 701.8 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 701.8  Assignment of Special Research Facilities.

    (a) Study Shelves. Individually-assigned reserve shelves are 
available adjacent to several reading rooms for the use of researchers 
whose work requires access to the same materials over an extended 
period of time. Shelves are assigned to applicants for a specific 
period through the Research Facilities Office, Humanities and Social 
Sciences Division. Shelves must be renewed at designated intervals.
    (b) Study desks. A limited number of study desks are available for 
the use of researchers engaged in full-time research projects involving 
extensive use of materials requiring larger amounts of material drawn 
from the Library's collections, more work space, greater physical 
security, and/or a more private environment than might be possible in a 
reading room. Study desk areas shall not be used as a primary office 
from which the project undertaken is operated, nor as a business 
location. Study desks are initially assigned for a period not to exceed 
one year, with the assignment and termination dates determined by the 
Head of the Main Reading Room Section, Humanities and Social Sciences 
Division. The assignment of a study desk beyond the first year may be 
made by the Chief of the Humanities and Social Sciences Division for a 
maximum of two years from the first assignment when there is a 
demonstrated need for the continuation of the assignment. Assignments 
beyond two years require an exception to this part and shall be 
specifically authorized by the Associate Librarian for Library 
Services. Any researcher who demonstrates a continuing need for a 
facility beyond an expiration date may reapply, but priority will be 
given to applicants on the waiting list who meet the specific criteria.
    (c) Congressional use of study rooms. Rooms 225A-225E in the James 
Madison Building are available for the exclusive use of Members of 
Congress and Committees for official research that requires use of the 
Library's collections or files in the Congressional Research Service. 
Assignment of study rooms shall be made in accordance with the 
Resolution of the Joint Committee on the Library of September 12, 1959, 
which states: ``* * * occupancy of study rooms assigned to Members 
should not be delegated to others than members of their own office 
staff who are paid no less than 20 hours per week from U.S. Government 
funds and at a rate of not less than the minimum salary of a GS-3 
clerk-typist * * *, and that Members should not request assignments of 
rooms for themselves merely for the purpose of sponsoring the work of 
private individuals and non-Government groups. * * *'' Rooms are 
assigned for one year or the life of the project, whichever is less, 
with the assignment and termination dates determined by the Director of 
the Congressional Relations Office.

    Dated: November 20, 1997.
James H. Billington,
The Librarian of Congress.
[FR Doc. 97-31752 Filed 12-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 1410-04-P