On Thursday night, President Trump abruptly fired Dr. Carla Hayden from her post as Librarian of Congress, a position she has held since her appointment by President Obama in 2016. Her renewable 10-year term was set to expire next year.
As reported by the Associated Press, Hayden was notified of her termination in a two-sentence email from the White House’s Presidential Personnel Office.
“Carla,” the email began. “On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as the Librarian of Congress is terminated effective immediately. Thank you for your service.”
No reason was given for Hayden’s dismissal.
Become a Supporter
“I am deeply disappointed in last night’s decision by President Trump to fire Dr. Carla Hayden from her position as Librarian of Congress,” said American Library Association President Cindy Hohl in a statement. “I salute Dr. Carla Hayden, a wise and faithful steward of the Library of Congress – the library she has called our ‘national treasure.’”
A visible tenure
During her tenure, Dr. Hayden prioritized efforts to make the Library and its collections more visible and accessible to the public. She has hosted a constant stream of celebrities, artists, luminaries, and prolific voices at library events, including actor Morgan Freeman, singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell, author and illustrator Dav Pilkey, and pop superstar Mariah Carey.
Hayden herself became a very visible public figure during her time in the role, hosting the National Book Festival, presenting the annual Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, and delivering the “Play Ball!” announcement during Library Night at Washington Nationals Park. She has been a regular fixture at the American Library Association’s annual conference, often moderating discussions on-stage or meeting one-on-one with librarians from around the world.
“By throwing open the doors of the venerable Library of Congress to welcome everyone, Dr. Hayden has revealed what the highest library in the land, and what every library, is: a bastion of knowledge and a beacon of opportunity,” said Hohl.
A legacy "so much more than firsts"
Prior to serving as the 14th Librarian of Congress, Hayden led the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore for decades. She also served as president of the American Library Association from 2003-2004.
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, encompassing over 178 million collection items across several physical locations. The Library serves several functions as the official library of the U.S. Congress, including carrying out research for the legislature, one of its primary duties. In addition, the Library oversees the application of copyright law in the United States, provides services and materials to blind and print-disabled patrons nationwide, and serves as a professional and educational tool for teachers, students, professors, researchers, genealogists, government workers, and anyone else who needs access to information.
Hayden is the first woman and first African American to serve as the Librarian of Congress. She is also the first professional librarian to hold the position in more than half a century, since Lawrence Quincy Mumford’s term as the 11th Librarian of Congress until 1974.
“Dr. Hayden’s legacy is so much more than the ‘firsts’ often spotlighted – first woman, first African American,” said Hohl. “We are proud that Dr. Hayden, a past president and lifetime member of the American Library Association, embodies leadership that puts the public at the heart of public service. Our nation needs leadership like Dr. Hayden’s now more than ever.”
Robert Newlen, the Library’s principal deputy librarian, will serve as acting Librarian of Congress in the interim.
Featured photo: Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden officially opens the 2022 National Book Festival on the Main Stage, September 3, 2022. Photo by Shawn Miller/Library of Congress.
