Carla Hayden

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Carla Hayden


14th Librarian of Congress
Incumbent
Assumed officeSeptember 14, 2016
President	Barack Obama Donald Trump Joe Biden
Deputy	Robert Newlen Mark Sweeney
Preceded by	David S. Mao (Acting)
President of the American Library Association
In office2003–2004
Preceded by	Maurice J. Freedman
Succeeded by	Carol A. Brey-Casiano
Personal details
Born	August 10, 1952 (age 69) Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.
Education	Roosevelt University (BA) University of Chicago (MA, PhD)

Carla Diane Hayden (born August 10, 1952) is an American librarian and the 14th Librarian of Congress. Hayden is the first woman and the first African American to hold the post. She is the first professional librarian appointed to the post in over 60 years.

Born in Tallahassee, Florida, Hayden began her career at the Chicago Public Library, eventually earning a doctorate in library science from the University of Chicago. From 1993 until 2016, she was the CEO of Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland, and president of the American Library Association (ALA) from 2003 to 2004. During her presidency, she was the leading voice of the ALA in speaking out against the newly passed United States Patriot Act.

In 2020, she was elected to the American Philosophical Society.

Early life[edit source]

Hayden was born in Tallahassee, Florida, to Bruce Kennard Hayden, Jr., at that time Director of the String Department at Florida A&M University (where she was born) in Tallahassee, and Colleen Hayden (née Dowling), a social worker. Her parents met while attending Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. Hayden grew up in Queens, New York. When she was 10 years old, her parents divorced and she moved with her mother to Chicago, Illinois. She had a younger half-brother from her father's second marriage, Bruce Kennard Hayden, III, who died in 1992.

Hayden's mother's side of the family comes from Helena, Arkansas. Her father's maternal side of the family, who eventually settled in Du Quoin, Illinois, had been slaves, which is chronicled in the book, It's Good to Be Black, by Ruby Berkley Goodwin.

Hayden said that her passion for reading was inspired by Marguerite de Angeli's Bright April, the 1946 book about a young African-American girl who was in the Brownies. At Chicago's South Shore High School, Hayden became interested in books on British history and "cozy mysteries." She attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, and then transferred to Roosevelt University.

Despite her admiration for the literary world, Hayden had not thought about a career within a library until after she had completed her undergraduate degree at Roosevelt University in 1973. Where she studied political science and African history. Hayden received her master's degree in Library Science in 1977, and a doctorate degree in Library Science in 1987, both from the University of Chicago Graduate Library School.

Career[edit source]

Dr. Hayden (left) poses with actress Lynda Carter Hayden began her library career at the Chicago Public Library after she was recommended the position by a friend. From 1973 to 1979, she worked as an Associate/Children's Librarian and from 1979 to 1982, she was Young Adult Services Coordinator. From 1982 to 1987, Hayden worked as a Library Services Coordinator at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.

Hayden moved to Pittsburgh, where she was an associate professor, teaching at the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences from 1987 to 1991. At the time, well known African-American librarians, E. J. Josey and Spencer Shaw, were on the faculty there.

Hayden then moved back to Chicago and became Deputy Commissioner and Chief Librarian of the Chicago Public Library, posts she held from 1991 to 1993. During her time working at the Chicago Public Library, Hayden became acquainted with Michelle Obama and Barack Obama.

From 1993 to 2016, Hayden was Executive Director of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library.

Enoch Pratt Free Library[edit source]

On July 1, 1993, Hayden began the appointed position of Director at Enoch Pratt Free Library, the public library system in Baltimore, Maryland.

During her tenure, Hayden oversaw a library co-operative with 22 locations, hundreds of employees, and an annual budget of $40 million. She also oversaw the first new branch opening in 35 years along with the renovation of the co-operative's central branch, at a cost of $112 million. During the 2015 protests of the death of Freddie Gray, Hayden kept Baltimore's libraries open, an act for which she received extensive praise. When asked about the incident in a 2016 Time Magazine interview she stated that the library became a command center of sorts as many stores in the community closed, and that "we knew that [people] would look for that place of refuge and relief and opportunity." She left this position on August 11, 2016, when she was appointed to the Library of Congress.

ALA presidency[edit source]

As president of the American Library Association (ALA) from 2003 to 2004, Hayden chose the theme "Equity of Access."

In her role as ALA President, Hayden was vocal in her public opposition to the Patriot Act, leading a battle for the protections of library users' privacy. She especially objected to the special permissions contained in Section 215 of that law, which gave the Justice Department and the FBI the power to access library user records. Hayden often sparred publicly with then-U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft over the language of the law. Ashcroft often ridiculed the library community, and stated that the ALA had been "misled into opposing provisions of the act that make it easier for FBI agents to fish through library records". Hayden's response was immediate, stating that the ALA was "deeply concerned that the Attorney General would be so openly contemptuous" (to the library community), while also pointing out that librarians had been monitored and been under FBI surveillance as far back as the McCarthy Era. Hayden asserted that Ashcroft should release information as to the number of libraries that had been visited under the provisions of Section 215. She has stated that the concern stemmed from making sure that a balance existed "between security and personal freedoms."

As a result of her stand for the rights of every American, she became Ms. magazine's 2003 Woman of the Year. In her interview with the magazine, she stated:

Libraries are a cornerstone of democracy—where information is free and equally available to everyone. People tend to take that for granted, and they don't realize what is at stake when that is put at risk.

Hayden says, "(Librarians) are activists, engaged in the social work aspect of librarianship. Now we are fighters for freedom ..." Along with her objections of the Patriot Act, Hayden has done much in her career in outreach programs. As ALA President she wrote:

At a time when our public is challenged on multiple fronts, we need to recommit ourselves to the ideal of providing equal access to everyone, anywhere, anytime, and in any format ... By finally embracing equity of access we will be affirming our core values, recognizing realities, and assuring our future.

One program she is notable for is for the outreach program she began at the Enoch Pratt Free Library. This outreach program included "an after school center for Baltimore teens offering homework assistance and college and career counseling." Because of this, Hayden received Library Journal's Librarian of the Year Award.

In January 2010, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Hayden as a member of the National Museum and Library Services Board and National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities.

14th Librarian of Congress[edit source]

On February 24, 2016, President Barack Obama nominated Hayden to serve as the next Librarian of Congress. In a press release from the White House, President Obama stated:

Michelle and I have known Carla Hayden for a long time, since her days working at the Chicago Public Library, and I am proud to nominate her to lead our nation's oldest federal institution as our 14th Librarian of Congress. 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. If confirmed, Hayden would be the first woman and the first African American to hold the position – both of which are long overdue.

External video
Meet President Obama's Nominee for Librarian of Congress, (3:46), The White House

External video
Librarian of Congress Nominee Carla Hayden Confirmation Hearing, (1:01:03), C-SPAN

Hayden speaks in 2019 After her nomination, more than 140 library, publishing, educational, and academic organizations signed a letter of support. The letter said in part that Congress had "an opportunity to equip the Library and the nation with the unique combination of professional skills and sensibilities that Dr. Hayden will bring to the post."

The nomination was received by the U.S. Senate and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. On April 20, 2016, the Committee on Rules and Administration, chaired by Senator Roy Blunt with Charles E. Schumer as ranking member, held the confirmation hearing. Hayden opposed the 2000 Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which was a sticking point in her nomination to become Librarian of Congress.

On July 13, 2016, she was confirmed as Librarian of Congress by a 74–18 vote in the United States Senate. Hayden was sworn in by Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts on September 14, 2016. Even though more than eighty percent of American librarians are women, for over two hundred years the position of Librarian of Congress was filled exclusively by white men, making Hayden the first woman and the first African American to hold the position. Notably, she is also a librarian by profession. Many past Librarians of Congress have been scholars and historians.

As Librarian of Congress, Hayden says she hopes to continue "the movement to open the treasure chest that is the Library of Congress." Hayden said much of her early effort will focus on building and retaining staff. In the next five years, Hayden will also focus on making sure that at least half of the library's 162 million items are digitized, especially rare collections. Hayden hopes for the library to have live performances and broadcasts and have traveling exhibits tour America that tie in with educational programming for schoolkids.

Hayden aspires to modernize the institution during her tenure by both preserving the collection and modernizing access to it, as she will be the first Librarian of Congress appointed "since the advent of the internet." In her position, Hayden has helped push the digitization of library content. The Library of Congress had been digitizing their publications over a 20 year period, however Hayden's administration has greatly contributed to the 61 million resources in the Library's databases. In a press release by the ALA Washington Office, ALA President Julie Todaro said, "Hayden holds a profound understanding of the integral role libraries play in formal education, community-based learning, and the promotion of individual opportunity and community progress. I believe that through her visionary leadership the Library of Congress will soon mirror society's rapidly changing information environment, while successfully preserving the cultural record of the United States." She spoke of her desire to reach people outside of Washington, D.C., especially in rural areas and in accessible formats to people with visual disabilities. Another one of her main goals is to improve the infrastructure and "technological capacity" of the Library of Congress. She is undecided if the United States Copyright Office, which is overseen by the Library, should be independent of the Library, but believes the Office should be "fully functional" and be able carry to out its mandates to protect creators.

In January 2017, Hayden hosted 4-year old Daliyah Marie Arana as Librarian of Congress for the day.

Among Hayden’s accomplishments include her involvement on the Copyright Public Modernization Committee in 2021. Leading a collaborative effort between the Library of Congress and some universities across the country.

Honors[edit source]

In 1995, Hayden was honored with the national Librarian of the Year Award by Library Journal, becoming the first African American to receive the prestigious award. Her commitment to equity of access was central to the honor.

1995: Library Journal, Librarian of the Year Award
1995: Loyola University Maryland, Andrew White Medal
1996: DuBois Circle of Baltimore, Legacy of Literacy Award
1998: Johns Hopkins University, President's Medal
2003: The Daily Record, Maryland's Top 100 Women
2003: Ms. Magazine, Woman of the Year
2006: American Library Association, Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture
2013: American Library Association, Joseph W. Lippincott Award
2015: American Library Association, Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture
2016: Fortune, The World's 50 Greatest Leaders
2017: Honorary degree from the College of William & Mary
2018: Honorary Member, American Library Association.
Newberry Library Award for service to the humanities.
Coalition of 100 Black Women, Torch Bearer Award
College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Pro Urbe Award
Greater Baltimore Urban League, Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award
YWCA Leader Award, Baltimore
Barnard College Medal of Distinction
University of Baltimore, honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
College of William & Mary, honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
Morgan State University, honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
McDaniel College, honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
Wake Forest University, honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
2019: New York University, honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
2019: Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council member Dr. Ben Carson.

Memberships[edit source]

2015–2016: Baltimore Community Foundation, Trustee
Maryland African American Museum Corporation, Board Member
Goucher College, Board Member
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute and Library, Board Member
Baltimore City Historical Society, Board Member
Baltimore Reads, Board Member
Maryland Historical Society, Board Member
Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, Board Member
Open Society Institute–Baltimore, Board Member
PALINET, Board Member
Sinai Hospital, Board Member
University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences, Board Member
2007– : Baltimore Gas and Electric, Board Member
2010– : National Museum and Library Services Board, Member
2010– : National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities, Member
Baltimore City Combined Charity Campaign, Chair
American Institute of Urban Psychological Studies, Board Member
Kennedy-Krieger Institute, Board Member
Maryland Museum of African American History, Board Member
YWCA, Board Member
Urban Libraries Council, Board Member

Publications[edit source]

– ALA Annual Conference, Sunday, June 28, 1992, 9 a.m.-5 p.m

Books[edit source]

– 2nd revised edition builds upon this edition

Book Chapters[edit source]

Selected articles[edit source]

Hayden, C. D. (1991). Children and Computer Technology in American Libraries. Books by African-American authors and illustrators for children and young adults, 14.
Hayden, C. D. (2003). ALA reaffirms core values, commitment to members. Newsletter On Intellectual Freedom, 52(6), 219.
Hayden, C. D. (2003). Equity of Access—the Time Is Now. American Libraries, 34(7), 5.
Hayden, C. D. (2003). ALA President's Message: Something for Everyone@ Your Library. American Libraries, 5–5.
Hayden, C. D. (2003). ALA President's Message: What Are Libraries For?. American Libraries, 5–5.
Hayden, C. D. (2004). ALA President's statement to Judiciary Committee. Newsletter On Intellectual Freedom, 53(1), 1–35.
Hayden, C. D. (2004). ALA President's Message: The Equity Strule Must Continue. American Libraries, 5–5.
Hayden, C. D. (2004). ALA President's Message: Libraries Matter Because People Believe in Them. American Libraries, 35(1), 5–5.
Hayden, C. D. (2004). ALA President's Message: Advocacy from the Outside and from Within. American Libraries, 35(2), 5–5.
Hayden, C. D. (2004). ALA President's Message: Reaching Out to the Underserved. American Libraries, 35(3), 5–5.
Hayden, C. D. (2004). ALA President's Message: Building accessibility for all. American Libraries, 35(4), 5–5.
Hayden, C. D. (2008). Free Is Our Middle Name. Unabashed Librarian, (146), 10–11.

Thesis/Dissertation[edit source]

References[edit source]

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External links[edit source]

Carla Hayden at Library of Congress
Carla Hayden on Twitter
Appearances on C-SPAN

^ Hayden, Carla (Jan. 28, 2021). "Library of Congress [Docket No. 2021-1] Announcement of Copyright Public Modernization Committee". University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 86: 8043–8045. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
^ Roseberg, Chuck (Jan. 27, 2021). "Transcript: Carla Hayden: Palace to Knowledge". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[1] Hayden, Carla (Jan. 28, 2021). "Library of Congress [Docket No. 2021-1] Announcement of Copyright Public Modernization Committee". University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 86: 8043–8045. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

[2] Roseberg, Chuck (Jan. 27, 2021). "Transcript: Carla Hayden: Palace to Knowledge". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)

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