Law, International Organizations and Government Documents
The Law Library of Congress is a comprehensive repository for documents generated by the U.S. Congress serving as a definitive source of legislative history and record of legislative activity. In addition, the Library collects materials issued by U.S. federal executive agencies and the judiciary, as well as publications issued by state and select local governments in support of the rights of citizens to have access to the laws that govern them. Treatises and commentaries that aid in the understanding and examination of legal issues are also acquired.
To facilitate multinational studies and comparative analysis, the Library obtains official legal publications and/or authoritative sources issued by the legislative body, executive or judicial department, ministry, bureau, agency, court, commission, or officer of any government from non-U.S. jurisdictions. For countries where official publications are lacking, the Library gathers publications from non-governmental organizations and other reputable institutions. And, in recognition of the increasing globalization and interdependence of nations, the Library acquires the publications of and about inter-governmental organizations, especially those to which the United States belongs or sends representation and extending to those that focus on issues of global importance.