32 IIAND-BOOIC OF WASHINGTON. charge of a Library Committee, consisting of members from the two houses of Congress, but the immediate superintendants are a Librarian and two assistants. The public in general are privileged to visit the Library and examine books on the spot, but members of Congress and the officers of the Executive Departments are all who enjoy the privilege of taking away any books that they may desire. The Library is open every day during the sessions of Congress, and during the recess on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Satur days of each week, from 9 o’clock until 3. There is a law library atttached to the Con gressional Library, which is located in the base ment, under the Supreme Court room; at one time the Supremo Court held its sessions in this room. This library contains many rare and valuable works on the various departments of law. The books of this library are frequently re ferred to by the Judges of the Supreme Court, the Court of Claims, and the members of the bar, as well as by members of both Houses of Con gress. It contains about 18000 volumes.