The Library of Congress Shake-up Endangers Copyrights.

The article focuses on the recent firings of the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, and Shira Perlmutter, head of the Copyright Office, by President Donald Trump, highlighting concerns about presidential overreach into the Library of Congress. It outlines the Library's historical development as both a legislative resource and the central repository for copyrighted works, a role established in the 19th century under Ainsworth Rand Spofford through copyright law reforms. The piece emphasizes the Library's dual function as custodian of intellectual property and its significance in the ongoing debate over the use of copyrighted materials in artificial intelligence (AI) training. The author argues that protecting the Library is crucial not only because it serves Congress but because of its unique and vital role in managing the nation's copyright system.