[1] While the Library informally began in 1792, it was officially established in 1871, and today holds an estimated 220,000 volumes.
[3] To replace the collection, Thomas Jefferson offered his private library at whatever price they were able to pay, installments welcome.
[citation needed] Secretaries oversaw the early collection of the library which included printed bills and resolutions, committee reports and other Senate documents.
Starting to accumulate a vast collection, Hickey lobbied for a library to manage and preserve all of these documents for use by the Senate.
[1] Wagner had the task of organizing Hickey's collection for better access and for preservation purposes (many of the materials were in fragile condition).
[citation needed] The Senate Library aims to carry out its mission in an accurate, prompt, and nonpartisan manner.
The Library's book collection comprises hundreds of thousands of volumes on history, geography, biography, politics and law and has material dating back to the early 19th century.
The Senate Library has a reading room, study carrels, computers, and a scanning and microform center.