LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2016 – spotlight on LIBRARY OF CONGRESS [via FAS]: “The Committee recommends $591,431,000 for the operations of  the Library of Congress. This is $33,071,000 below the budget  request and is $510,000 above the current level. In addition to  the appropriation, the Committee recommends offsetting  collections of $42,127,000. Established by Congress in 1800, the Library of Congress is one of the largest libraries in the world, with a collection of  more than 130,000,000 print, audio, and video items in 460  languages. Among its major programs are acquisitions,  preservation, administration of U.S. copyright laws by the  Copyright Office, research and analysis of policy issues for  the Congress by the Congressional Research Service, and  administration of a national program to provide reading  material to the blind and physically handicapped. The Library  maintains a significant number of collections and provides a  range of services to libraries in the United States and abroad. A good business practice for any customer service  organization is to periodically survey that customer base to  determine if the products and services being provided are meeting the expectations of the customer. A proper survey can  help the service provider to determine the strengths and  weaknesses of the organization and what if any corrective  action needs to be addressed. The Committee believes that such a survey of the Library’s customer base would be beneficial.  Therefore, the Committee directs the Library of Congress to commission an independent survey of all Members and committees  of the House of Representatives to ascertain their fundamental  and optimal requirements for services and support from the Library of Congress and especially the Congressional Research Service. A report and analysis of the survey results is to be provided to the Committees on Appropriations of the House no later than 180 days after enactment of this Act…The Committee recommends $106,945,000 for salaries and  expenses of the Congressional Research Service (CRS). This  amount is $5,011,000 below the budget request and is the same as the current level. CRS works for Members and committees of Congress to support their legislative, oversight, and representational functions by  providing nonpartisan and confidential research and policy  analysis. The bill contains language which provides that no funds in the Congressional Research Service can be used to publish or prepare material to be issued by the Library of Congress unless  approved by the appropriate committees.”