Carla Hayden

Carla Hayden
14th Librarian of Congress
Incumbent
Assumed office September 14, 2016
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	David Mao (Acting)
Personal details
Born	(1952-08-10) August 10, 1952 Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.
Alma mater	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. Even though more than eighty per cent of American librarians are women, for over two hundred years the position of Librarian of Congress was filled exclusively by white men.^[1] Hayden is the first woman and the first African-American to hold the post.^[2] Fortune magazine ranked Hayden among the World's 50 greatest leaders in 2016.^[3][4]

From 1993 until August 11, 2016, she was the CEO of Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland,^[5] and president of the American Library Association (ALA) from 2003 to 2004.^[6][7] During her presidency, she was the leading voice of the ALA in speaking out against the newly passed United States Patriot Act.

Life and early career

Hayden was born in Tallahassee, Florida.^[8] Her passion for reading was inspired by Bright April, a book about a young African American girl in the Brownies written by Marguerite De Angeli. In high school, Hayden became interested in books on British history and “cozy mysteries”. ^[9] While she loved libraries she didn’t consider it as a career until after she had graduated from Roosevelt University and received her master's and doctorate degrees in Library Science from the University of Chicago Graduate Library School.^[10] From 1970 and 1980, Hayden worked in several positions in the Museum of Science and Industry and the Chicago Public Library. Around this time, she encountered Michelle and Barack Obama.^[11] Hayden served as library services coordinator for Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry from 1982 to 1987.^[12] She taught as an Assistant Professor of Library Science at the University of Pittsburgh before returning to Chicago to begin her professional career as a children's librarian at Chicago Public Library. She was appointed second-in-command at Chicago Public Library in 1991.^[13]

Enoch Pratt Free Library

In 1993, she was appointed to the position of Director at Enoch Pratt Free Library.^[13] During her tenure, Dr. Hayden oversaw a library co-operative with 22 location, 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, Dr. Hayden kept Baltimore's libraries open, an act for which she received extensive praise.^[14] 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." ^[15] She was honored as the national Librarian of the Year by Library Journal in 1995, becoming the first African-American to receive the prestigious award.^[16] Her commitment to equity of access was central to the honor.^[17]

Hayden has twice given the Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture.^[18]

External video

Meet President Obama's Nominee for Librarian of Congress, (3:46), The White House[19]

ALA presidency

External video

Librarian of Congress Nominee Carla Hayden Confirmation Hearing, (1:01:03), C-SPAN[20]

As president of the American Library Association, 2003-2004, Hayden chose the theme "Equity of Access." ^[21] 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.^[22] 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".^[22] 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.^[22] She has stated that the concern stemmed from making sure that a balance existed "between security and personal freedoms."^[23] 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.^[24]

Hayden says, "(Librarians) are activists, engaged in the social work aspect of librarianship. Now we are fighters for freedom...” ^[25]

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."^[26]

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.^[27]

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.^[28]

14th Librarian of Congress

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,^[29] 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.

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."^[30]

The nomination was received by the U.S. Senate and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.^[31] 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.^[32][33] On July 13, 2016, she was confirmed as Librarian of Congress by a 74-18 vote in the United States Senate.^[34] Hayden was sworn-in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on September 14, 2016.^[35][36] Hayden is the first woman and the first African-American to hold the position of Librarian of Congress. Notably, she is also a librarian by profession. Many past Librarians of Congress have been scholars and historians.^[37]

As Librarian of Congress, Hayden says she hopes to continue "the movement to open the treasure chest that is the Library of Congress."^[38] Hayden said much of her early effort will focus on building and retaining staff.^[39] 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.^[40] 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.^[41] 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."^[42] 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.”^[43] 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.^[12] She is undecided if the U.S. 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.^[44]

Honors

• 2015: Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture
• 2013: Joseph W. Lippincott Award^[45]
• 2006: Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture
• 2003: Ms. Magazine Woman of the Year^[46]
• 2003: The Daily Record Maryland's Top 100 Women^[47]
• 1998: The President’s Medal from Johns Hopkins University^[8]
• 1995: Library Journal Librarian of the Year

Publications

Books and book chapters

• Hayden, C. D. (1994). New approaches to Black recruitment. In Josey, E. J. (Ed.), The Black librarian in America revisited (55-64). Metuchen, N.J: Scarecrow Press. OCLC 29519257
• Hayden, C. D. (1992). Venture into cultures: A resource book of multicultural materials and programs. Chicago: American Library Association. OCLC 24953316
• Hayden, C. D. (1993). A New Way of Thinking about Librarians. In Curry, E. (Ed.), Your Right to Know: The Call to Action/Your Right to Know: Librarians Make It Happen (34-37). Chicago: American Library Association. OCLC 28951031

Articles

• Hayden, C. D. (2008). Free Is Our Middle Name. Unabashed Librarian, (146), 10-11.
• Hayden, C. D. (2004). ALA President's Message: Building accessibility for all. American Libraries, 35(4), 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: Advocacy from the Outside and from Within. American Libraries, 35(2), 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: The Equity Struggle Must Continue. 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. (2003). ALA President's Message: What Are Libraries For?. American Libraries, 5-5.
• Hayden, C. D. (2003). ALA President's Message: Something for Everyone@ Your Library. American Libraries, 5-5.
• Hayden, C. D. (2003). Equity of Access—the Time Is Now. American Libraries, 34(7), 5.
• Hayden, C. D. (2003). ALA reaffirms core values, commitment to members. Newsletter On Intellectual Freedom, 52(6), 219.
• 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. (1989). Public Library Services for Children Barbara T. Rollock. The Library, 59(3).
• Hayden, C. D. (1989). Multicultural literature and library services for children: a continuing challenge for the new century. In International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. Council and general conference. 55.
• Hayden, C. D., & Raseroka, H. K. (1988). "The Good and the Bad: Two Novels of South Africa." Children's Literature Association Quarterly, 13(2), 57-60. doi 10.1353/chq.0.0619
• Hayden, C. D. (1986). Literature for and about black adolescents. Illinois Libraries, 68, 372-374.
• Hayden, C. D. (1985). Museum of science and industry library. Science & Technology Libraries, 6(1-2), 47-54.

References

External links

• Prepared Testimony of Dr. Carla Hayden
• "ALA's Past Presidents". American Library Association. 
• "2006 Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture". American Library Association. 
• "President Obama Nominates Pratt CEO Carla Hayden to Key Administration Post". Enoch Pratt Free Library (2010). Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. 
• A Frontier of Librarianship: Services for Children in Museums (1987) dissertation abstract
• C-SPAN Librarian of Congress Nominee Carla Hayden Confirmation Hearing video

Librarians of Congress
John Beckley (1802–1807) Patrick Magruder (1807–1815) George Watterston (1815–1829) John Meehan (1829–1861) John Stephenson (1861–1864) Ainsworth Spofford (1864–1897) John Young (1897–1899)
Herbert Putnam (1899–1939) Archibald MacLeish (1939–1944) Luther Evans (1945–1953) Lawrence Mumford (1954–1974) Daniel Boorstin (1975–1987) James Billington (1987–2015) Carla Hayden (2016–present)