The U.S. Senate has confirmed the appointment of Carla Hayden as Librarian of Congress. She is the 14th Librarian of Congress and first African American and the first woman to hold the post. The position formerly was an appointment for life. but new legislation calls for a 10-year term, which can be renewed.
Dr. Hayden was the CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore and previously served as the deputy director of the Chicago Public Library. She has been widely praised for her efforts to incorporate technology into the infrastructure of the libraries with which she has been associated. The Library of Congress has been criticized for its slow adoption of the latest technologies.
Dr. Hayden was approved by a vote 74-18 in the U.S. Senate. The vote on her nomination was held up by GOP senators who had concerns that her views on the free flow of information would allow access to pornography in public libraries.
A native of Tallahassee, Florida, Dr. Hayden is a graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago. She holds a master of library and information science degree and a doctorate in library science from the University of Chicago. Dr. Hayden is a former assistant professor of library science at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Hayden is an awesome professional and an outstanding individual. She is deserving of this recognition and our country must be proud that she is leading the Library of Congress.