Scholarly Programs

Educational Program

Scholar-in-Residence

Program Description:  The Law Library of Congress serves the Congress by providing it with authoritative and authentic information and analysis on all legal systems of the world. It contains the world’s largest collection of law books and legal resources from all countries. The Law Library presents a unique combination of collections, comprehensiveness, and staff expertise. Over 140 languages are represented in our collections of approximately 5 million items.

The Law Library seeks to further legal scholarship by inviting scholars and practitioners to apply for opportunities to conduct in-depth research that would further the mission of the Law Library of Congress in serving the United States Congress and all of its constituents.

Scholars will conduct research on an approved topic and prepare a paper presenting research for publication by the Library of Congress.  Scholars will receive a workstation in the Law Library and have access to the Library’s collection.

The Law Library will host a lecture for the Scholar to present his or her work.  The Law Library will have the right of first publication of the work of the Scholar and will publish the Scholar’s work on the Law Library website and blog, In Custodia Legis.  The Scholar may also be asked to be interviewed for the blog.

The period of residency may vary depending on the scope of the Scholar’s work and will be determined prior to the beginning of the research.

Scholars will not be reimbursed by the Law Library for work done in connection with the program nor for transportation or room and board.

Application Dates: Anytime

Stipend/Compensation: Volunteer

Citizenship Requirements: US citizenship not required

Applications Open To: Individuals conducting post-graduate research work on law-related topics.

Contact & Application Information: Donna Sokol; [email protected]

Scholarly Exchanges

Senior scholars living abroad who are unable to travel to Washington but who wish to participate in supporting the Law Library’s research mission should contact the Law Library to explore suitable projects.

Internships

U.S. and foreign students working toward advanced degrees in law or a related discipline may apply for an internship at the Law Library of Congress. Interns will be provided opportunities to perform independent projects or research (normally leading to an end-of-internship written product) under the general direction of a Law Library manager or staff member. Academic credit may be awarded if prearranged with the sponsoring academic institution.

Facilities

Scholars in residence and interns will be assigned workspace and limited use of Law Library facilities; e.g., photocopy privileges. They will receive orientation to the Law Library and the use of the Library’s online bibliographic and legislative databases. To facilitate the scholar’s orientation, a member of the Law Library’s research staff may serve as a primary contact for individual scholars. Resources do not permit research assistance or secretarial services, however. Editorial services will be provided if a scholar’s work is to be published by the Library of Congress.

Scholars needing to consult the collections are urged to contact the Law Library in advance to ensure that the items will be available from the closed stacks: (202) 707-5080. This is especially important for rare items. You will need photo identification and a reader card to use the collection. To hear a recorded message regarding Reading Room access, call (202) 707-5079.

Application Process

For more information on how to apply for a Scholarly Program at the Law Library of Congress, please contact [email protected]

 

Last Updated: 04/16/2018