Here at the Law Library of Congress, we enjoy celebrating commemorative days, weeks, and holidays, as they allow us to explore the collections we have at the Library and research new topics. National Library Week is an incredibly fun way to celebrate. Each year, all across the United States, the important work of our libraries and librarians, and the endless ways in which they serve our communities, is celebrated. The 2026 National Library Week theme is “Find Your Joy.” To celebrate National Library Week, I asked my colleagues to highlight ways the Law Library and the Library of Congress bring them joy, whether that be through the collections we have, their roles at the Library, or the Library’s initiatives as a whole.
Legal Reference Librarian Sarah Friedman: One of the things I love the most about working at the Library is getting to share it with others. I enjoy giving tours of the Law Library, the Jefferson Building, and the Capitol to new staff, visiting groups, and my family and friends. It is a great opportunity to inform people about all of the history and resources available at the Library, and every time I give a tour, it reminds me that I work in a remarkable place.
Bibliographic and Research Instruction Librarian Barbara Bavis: I find a lot of joy in creating and teaching classes here at the Law Library of Congress! I love making legal research clearer and more accessible to our patrons across the country and around the world, because I know how intimidating it might feel to try to start a research project. That is why, if you run into me outside of the Library, you will probably catch me trying to sign you up for one of our webinars!
Foreign Law Specialist Elin Hofverberg: As a foreign law lawyer with an international law background, I did not expect that I would end up working in a law library, but it turns out the Law Library is particularly suited for creating a happy lawyer. I have great colleagues, respond to interesting, timely, and diverse requests, ranging from research advice on where and how to find local ordinances to substantive research on space law. What supports all that work is our unique law collection. When researching a historical request, I often feel like I get to travel in a time machine. If I research a particular historic law, I often take a quick peek to see whether it was passed on this day that same year, and I have been intrigued to find all kinds of legislation to share with the In Custodia Legis blog. For instance, a proclamation on the home production of Brännivn was such a post. I feel privileged to use and share the collection with our patrons and Congress, providing accurate, authentic, and authoritative expertise in a timely fashion.
Visual Information Specialist Bailey Desimone: Working at the Law Library helps me connect with folks all over the world who are looking to find themselves represented in legal perspectives. Whether answering reference questions or designing visual aids, I am proud to help serve the public by making legal information accessible and enjoyable. Being a librarian helps me pursue my own curiosity as well as inspire that in others, and I am grateful every day to work alongside the Library of Congress staff in achieving this.
Program Specialist Taylor Gulatsi: One thing that brings me joy through my role in outreach at the Law Library is when I have the opportunity to engage with members of the public. I love hearing how patrons engage with the Law Library’s services through the resources available to them, whether that is at a conference we are exhibiting at, a tour we are hosting at the Law Library, or when tourists visit from other states and countries. Additionally, any chance that I get to highlight the amazing work of my colleagues brings me immense joy!
Law Librarian of Congress Aslihan Bulut: There is a quiet but profound joy in serving as a law librarian at the Library of Congress—a sense of purpose that comes from standing at the intersection of knowledge, history, and public service. Each day offers the opportunity to connect people with the information they need to shape decisions, understand the law, and participate more fully in civic life. Leading a team that supports patrons from all three branches of government, as well as members of the public, deepens that sense of meaning. It is both a responsibility and a privilege to help ensure that lawmakers, judges, executive agencies, and citizens alike have access to reliable, carefully curated legal resources. In this role, service becomes something larger than any one individual—it becomes a contribution to the functioning of democracy itself.
We hope you will visit the Law Library of Congress and find your joy among our collection and the beauty that the history of the Library has to offer!
