Obama nominates Carla Hayden as Librarian of Congress

President Obama has nominated Carla D. Hayden as the next librarian of Congress. If confirmed, she would be the first woman and first African-American ever to lead the world’s largest library.

Libraries may have a new queen in Carla Hayden, who is now working as the CEO of Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore.

According to his statement February 24, Obama and his wife, Michelle, have known Hayden since she worked in the Chicago public library system, which she did on and off from 1973 to 1993. During the civil unrest in Baltimore last spring that followed the death of Freddie Gray from an injury he suffered in police custody, Ms. Hayden kept the city’s libraries open, including one close to where riots broke out.

He added: “Finally, she’d be the first woman and the first African American to hold the position – both of which are long overdue”. I have no doubt she’ll make a fantastic Librarian of Congress. Hayden, 63, would succeed James H. Billington, who retired a year ago.

The connection between Hayden and President Obama dates back to 1991 to when she was the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Librarian of the Chicago Public Library.

As president of the American Library Association in 2003 to 2004, Hayden publicly opposed part of the Patriot Act, controversial legislation aimed at fighting extremism after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

“We congratulate Dr. Carla Hayden on her nomination”, said Motion Picture Association of America President Chris Dodd.

If confirmed as the 14th librarian of Congress, Hayden says her position would affect “how people view the future of libraries and what a national library can be”. Barbara A. Mikulski. “She has been a fighter for the freedom of all library users, no matter your age, race, religion or zip code, to be able to explore and learn”, Mikulski said in a statement.

The Library of Congress is the US’ oldest federal institution and has more than 158 million items.