Carla Hayden

Appointed in 2016 as the 14th Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden became the first woman and the first African American to hold this position. She brought extensive experience in public library management to the federal post, having previously directed large-scale operations in both Chicago and Baltimore while navigating significant legislative and social challenges within the field of library science.

Early Career and Academic Foundation

Born in 1952 in Tallahassee, Florida, Hayden pursued higher education at Roosevelt University before earning both a master's degree and a doctorate from the University of Chicago Graduate Library School. Her professional trajectory began in the 1970s at the Chicago Public Library, where she worked as a children's librarian and later as a coordinator. Between 1982 and 1987, she managed library services at the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. She also held an academic appointment at the University of Pittsburgh from 1987 to 1991.

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Leadership at Enoch Pratt Free Library

In 1993, Hayden assumed the role of executive director at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland, a position she maintained for over two decades until 2016. During this tenure, she implemented outreach services, including teen centers that provided homework assistance and career counseling. Her administration oversaw the construction of new branch infrastructure in 2007. In 2015, she received public recognition for maintaining library operations throughout the Baltimore protests, emphasizing the role of the institution as a place of refuge.

Advocacy and the American Library Association

Serving as president of the American Library Association from 2003 to 2004, Hayden made equity of access her central focus. She gained prominence for her opposition to Section 215 of the United States Patriot Act, which granted the FBI and the Department of Justice access to library user records. She engaged in public debate with Attorney General John Ashcroft regarding the balance between national security and the privacy rights of library patrons. Her advocacy efforts during this period were acknowledged with the Ms. Woman of the Year award in 2003.

Librarian of Congress Tenure

Nominated by President Barack Obama in 2016, Hayden was the first professional librarian to hold the post of Librarian of Congress since 1974. Following a confirmation hearing that addressed her stance on the Children's Internet Protection Act, she was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. She served in the role until May 2025, when she was dismissed by President Donald Trump. Following her departure, she was appointed as a senior fellow at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in July 2025.

Fast facts

Born: 1952, Tallahassee
Role: 14th Librarian of Congress (2016-2025)
Alma Mater: University of Chicago Graduate Library School
ALA Presidency: 2003-2004
Awards: Librarian of the Year Award (1995)
Affiliation: American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Major Recognition: Joseph W. Lippincott Award (2013)
Post-Library of Congress: Senior fellow, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (2025)

Questions readers ask

What significant milestones did Carla Hayden achieve as Librarian of Congress?

She was the first woman and the first African American to serve in the role, as well as the first professional librarian to hold the position since 1974.