DrHaydenHeadshot_Signature_Name_graysigCarla Hayden is President Obama’s nominee for Librarian of Congress. She is CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, an African-American and a former president of the American Library Association.

What a contrast to James Billington, the long-time librarian who retired last year and was temporarily replaced by Acting Librarian David Mao. Billington’s background is from academia. He was not a professional librarian. What’s more, he was so far out of touch that he preferred fax to e-mail; and for the most part, this Reagan-era leftover hated e-books.

By contrast, Dr. Hayden is a real public librarian familiar with such issues as the digital divides. Among her past titles was board member of the Harvard-originated Digital Public Library of America (see LibraryCity). The DPLA very well may have come into existence partly as a Billington bypass, given his technophobia. Will we see some DPLA staffers ending up at the Library of Congress? Maura Marx, a DPLA alum, already is a deputy director at the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Although I think Dr. Hayden would be a far, far better Librarian of Congress than Billington—no, she won’t neglect the academic side—she may face severe obstacles from the the Republican obstructionists on Capital Hill.

Racism not the only possible obstacle

Her race isn’t the only factor here. In fact, a far bigger one could be her opposition to the Patriot Act, along with general Republican opposition to long-term appointments by the White House. Already, library watchers are raising these issues on e-mail lists, and their fears are on the mark. See, too, Andrew Albanese’s piece in Publisher’s Weekly in July—asking appropriately, “Could the nomination of the next Librarian of Congress speak a political battle?”

Still, I hope Dr. Hayden makes it to LoC ultimately, even if, as in the case of the next Supreme Court justice, this may depend on a Democratic victory in November.

In nominating Carla Hayden, President Obama said: “Michelle and I have known Dr. 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. Dr. 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, Dr. Hayden would be the first woman and the first African American to hold the position – both of which are long overdue.”

The full press release follows.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

February 24, 2016

President Obama Announces His Intent to Nominate Carla D. Hayden as Librarian of Congress

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Carla D. Hayden as Librarian of Congress.

President Obama said, “Michelle and I have known Dr. 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. Dr. 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, Dr. Hayden would be the first woman and the first African American to hold the position – both of which are long overdue.”

Carla D. Hayden, Nominee for Librarian of Congress, Library of Congress:

Dr. Carla D. Hayden is CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland, a position she has held since 1993. Dr. Hayden was nominated by President Obama to be a member of the National Museum and Library Services Board in January 2010 and was confirmed by the Senate in June 2010. Prior to joining the Pratt Library, Dr. Hayden was Deputy Commissioner and Chief Librarian of the Chicago Public Library from 1991 to 1993. She was an Assistant Professor for Library and Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh from 1987 to 1991. Dr. Hayden was Library Services Coordinator for the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago from 1982 to 1987. She began her career with the Chicago Public Library as the Young Adult Services Coordinator from 1979 to 1982 and as a Library Associate and Children’s Librarian from 1973 to 1979. Dr. Hayden was President of the American Library Association from 2003 to 2004. In 1995, she was the first African American to receive Library Journal’s Librarian of the Year Award in recognition of her outreach services at the Pratt Library, which included an afterschool center for Baltimore teens offering homework assistance and college and career counseling. Dr. Hayden received a B.A. from Roosevelt University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the Graduate Library School of the University of Chicago.

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