Dr. Carla Hayden Nominated As Librarian of Congress; Would Be First Woman and First African American In the Post

Publishers Lunch

President Obama has nominated Dr. Carla Hayden, ceo of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, MD since 1993, to serve as the 14th Librarian of Congress. President Obama noted, "If confirmed, Dr. Hayden would be the first woman and the first African American to hold the position – both of which are long overdue." The position was vacated last September when James Billington retired ahead of schedule, after 27 years.

The President said, "Michelle and I have known Dr. Carla Hayden for a long time, since her days working at the Chicago Public Library," and declared: "Dr. Hayden has devoted her career to modernizing libraries so that everyone can participate in today's digital culture. She has the proven experience, dedication, and deep knowledge of our nation’s libraries to serve our country well and that's why I look forward to working with her in the months ahead." Among her previous posts, Hayden was president of American Library Association from 2003 to 2004, and in 1995 she was the first African American to receive Library Journal’s Librarian of the Year Award. She has served on the National Museum and Library Services Board since 2010 (for which she was confirmed by the Senate).

Last fall, the Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015 put a 10-year limit on the term of the Librarian of Congress, though the President can reappoint the Librarian to serve additional terms. Dr. Hayden's nomination is subject to confirmation by the Senate.