Spofford had persuaded Congress to expand the Library's space within the Capitol in 1865. Its becoming the copyright depository happened at about the same time as two major acquisitions: Congress authorized the transfer of the Smithsonian Institution's collection to the Library of Congress and the purchase of the large private collection of Peter Force. Therefore, the Library quickly outgrew its new space. Spofford proposed construction of a new building for the Library in 1872. Congress quickly agreed, but the project got bogged down in bickering over details. As the collection outgrew the space for it, Spofford had books and boxes piled conspicuously on the floor. Members of Congress who used the Library could hardly find room to work. Although everyone recognized the need for a new building, it took more than a decade to resolve all the issues. Finally, Congress appropriated funds for the new building in 1886. A dispute with the architect delayed the start of construction until 1888. The building was finally completed in 1897 and is now known as the Thomas Jefferson Building.