An Interview with Linnea Eberhart, Librarian-in-Residence at the Law Library of Congress

Today’s interview is with Linnea Eberhart, the 2024 Librarian-in-Residence in the Public Services Division in the Law Library of Congress.

Describe your background.

I came from a military family and moved around a fair bit as a kid, but I moved to Washington D.C. most recently from Florida, where my parents, siblings, and niece still live, so it is where I call home.

Although my path to librarianship certainly has not been a direct one, my interest in libraries has remained consistent and, like many librarians, I am and always have been a voracious reader. No matter where my family moved to, one of our top priorities was always making sure we had a library card in our new home – and now I am proud to say that I have a reader card for my newest home, the Library of Congress!

What is your academic/professional history?

I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida Judy Genshaft Honors College where I double majored in international studies and criminology. I then went on to earn my law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law where I also obtained a certificate in intellectual property law. Following law school, I practiced law in Orlando, Florida for a number of years most recently focusing on trademarks, copyright, and related transactional issues. I eventually returned to school to obtain my Master of Science in Information from Florida State University so that I could become a legal reference librarian. I now like to joke that I am a house divided unto myself when it comes to university allegiances.

How do you describe your job to other people?

Currently, I am one of six Librarians-in-Residence at the Library of Congress, although I am the only one working specifically in the Law Library at present. The Librarian-in-Residence program is a unique opportunity for early-career librarians to work within the Library while also learning about the profession – I strongly encourage you to apply if you are in library school!

As the Librarian-in-Residence in the Law Library, I work as a legal reference librarian helping answer questions about the law in person, by phone, and through the Library’s Ask a Librarian service. We receive questions on a wide range of subjects from patrons seeking copies of Supreme Court briefs from the 1800s to inquiring about the status of legislation currently pending before Congress. Although we cannot offer legal advice, we can help patrons navigate the resources available through the Library and make the law more accessible.

In addition to my day-to-day reference responsibilities, I have also had opportunities to work on projects like updating the Library’s Research Guides and developing course materials for the Library’s Legal Research Institute, which offers free law webinars.

Why did you want to work at the Law Library of Congress?

It is the Law Library of Congress – who would not want to work here? The Law Library has the single largest collection of United States, foreign, comparative, and international law in the world with almost six million items (over 1.5 football fields worth!) We also have a Rare Book Collection, a Digital Collection, and access to a wealth of online databases in addition to our physical collection. There is no better place to be to learn more about the law while also developing the research and reference skills to help others learn as well.

What is an interesting fact that you’ve learned about the Library of Congress?

The buildings that contain the Library of Congress’ collections are almost as historic and interesting as the materials themselves. For example, the Law Library Reading Room (and my office) is located in the James Madison Memorial Building, which is both the nation’s memorial to President James Madison and the largest library structure in the world. The sculpture at the entrance to the Madison building is called “A Cascade of Books” and it was created by Frank Eliscu, who is perhaps more famously known as the designer of the Heisman Memorial Trophy. And yes, I did take a picture in front of it on my first day here.

What’s something that most of your co-workers don’t know about you?

Last summer, I went on a road trip up the East Coast of the United States from Orlando, FL all the way to Toronto, Canada. I was able to see some beautiful places, eat some delicious food, and, most importantly, visit some amazing libraries! Some of my favorites include the Boston Public Library in Boston, MA, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University in New Haven, CT, and the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection in the Toronto Reference Library which is part of the Toronto Public Library system in Toronto, Canada. I definitely recommend adding library tours to your travel plans! If you would like to visit the Library of Congress, don’t forget to sign up for your free timed-entry ticket in advance.

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