Carla Diane Hayden (born August 10, 1952)[1][2] is an American librarian who is serving as the 14th librarian of Congress.[3][4] Since the creation of the office of the librarian of Congress in 1802, Hayden is both the first African American and the first woman to hold this post.[5][6][7][8] Appointed in 2016, she is the first professional librarian to hold the post since 1974.[9]
Hayden was born in Tallahassee, Florida, to Bruce Kennard Hayden Jr., at that time director of the String Department at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, and Colleen Hayden (née Dowling), a social worker.[2][16] Her parents met while attending Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.[2] Hayden grew up in Queens, New York. When she was 10 years old, her parents divorced and she moved with her mother to Chicago, Illinois.[2][17] She had a younger half-brother from her father's second marriage, Bruce Kennard Hayden, III, who died in 1992.[18]
Hayden's mother's side of the family comes from Helena, Arkansas. Her father's maternal side of the family, who eventually settled in Du Quoin, Illinois, had been enslaved, which is chronicled in the book, It's Good to Be Black, by Ruby Berkley Goodwin.[2][19]
Dr. Hayden (left) poses with actress Lynda Carter.
Hayden began her library career at the Chicago Public Library telling stories to children with autism.[8] From 1973 to 1979, she worked as an associate/children's librarian at the Whitney Young branch. From 1979 to 1982, she served as the young adult services coordinator. From 1982 to 1987, Hayden worked as a library services coordinator at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.[23]
Hayden then moved back to Chicago and became Deputy Commissioner and Chief Librarian of the Chicago Public Library, posts she held from 1991 to 1993.[23] During her time working at the Chicago Public Library, Hayden became acquainted with Michelle Obama and Barack Obama.[24]
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.[25]
Enoch Pratt Free Library
On July 1, 1993, Hayden began the appointed position of Director at Enoch Pratt Free Library, the public library system in Baltimore, Maryland.[26]
During her tenure, Hayden oversaw a library co-operative with 22 locations, 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, Hayden kept Baltimore's libraries open, an act for which she received extensive praise.[27]
When interviewed by American Libraries Magazine during the Baltimore unrest in 2015 why she decided to keep the libraries open, Hayden replied,
I knew that the libraries are community resources. I knew that they are anchors in so many communities. In a lot of communities in Baltimore, especially challenged ones, we are the only resource. If we close, we're sending a signal that we're afraid or that we aren't going to be available when times are tough. We should be open especially when times are tough.[28]
When later asked to reflect 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."[29]
She left this position on August 11, 2016, when she was appointed to the Library of Congress.[18]
ALA presidency
As president of the American Library Association (ALA) from 2003 to 2004, Hayden chose the theme "Equity of Access".[30][31][32][33] The term "Equity of Access" refers to idea that all people, from every background and of all ages, income, and capabilities, should have access to information they need in uncensored and varied formats (digital, print, etc.).[34] On the topic of Equity of Access, Hayden has stated:
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. We need to pay particular attention to those groups who are already underserved, such as residents of rural and urban America, senior citizens and the disabled. By finally embracing equity of access we will be affirming our core valves, recognizing realities, and assuring our future.[34]
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.[2][35] 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. Hayden often sparred publicly with then-U.S. attorney generalJohn Ashcroft over the language of the law.[36] 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".[37] 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.[14] She has stated that the concern stemmed from making sure that a balance existed "between security and personal freedoms."[29]
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.[38]
Hayden says, "[Librarians] are activists, engaged in the social work aspect of librarianship. Now we are fighters for freedom".[38]
Along with her objections to 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.[30][39]
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 in 1995. She is the first African-American to have received this award.[40]
Prior to and during her ALA presidency, Hayden also played a role in influencing the creation of the Spectrum Scholarship Program, which was first developed in 1997 and still offers yearly scholarships.[41] This scholarship program seeks to "actively recruit and provide scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern and North African, and/or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students to assist them with obtaining a graduate degree and leadership positions within the profession and ALA".[42]
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.[24]
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."[45]
On July 13, 2016, she was confirmed as Librarian of Congress by a 74–18 vote in the United States Senate.[27] Hayden was sworn in by Chief Justice of the United StatesJohn Roberts on September 14, 2016.[51][52] Even though more than eighty percent of American librarians are women, for over two hundred years the position of librarian of Congress was filled exclusively by white men,[53] making Hayden the first woman and the first African American to hold the position. Notably, she is also a librarian by profession. Many past librarians of Congress have been scholars and historians.[54]
As Librarian of Congress, Hayden says she hopes to continue "the movement to open the treasure chest that is the Library of Congress."[55] She says that much of her early effort will focus on building and retaining staff.[56] 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.[20] 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.[57]
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." 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."[9] 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.[23] She is undecided if the United States 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]
In January 2017, Hayden hosted 4-year-old Daliyah Marie Arana as Librarian of Congress for the day.[58] Following that, in October 2017, she hosted 8-year-old Adam Coffey as Librarian of Congress for the day.[59]
Honors
In 1995, Hayden was honored with the national Librarian of the Year Award by Library Journal, becoming the first African American to receive the prestigious award.[60] Her commitment to equity of access was central to the honor.[61]
2010– : National Museum and Library Services Board, Member[25]
2010– : National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities, Member[25]
Baltimore City Combined Charity Campaign, Chair
American Institute of Urban Psychological Studies, Board Member
Kennedy-Krieger Institute, Board Member
Maryland Museum of African American History, Board Member
YWCA, Board Member
Urban Libraries Council, Board Member
Publications
RTK Editorial Committee; American Library Association (1992). "A New Way of Thinking about Librarians by Carla Hayden". In Schuman, Patricia Glass; Crist, Margo; Curry, Elizabeth (eds.). Your Right to Know: Librarians Make It Happen: Conference Within a Conference Background Papers. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. pp. 34–37. OCLC30037844. – ALA Annual Conference, Sunday, June 28, 1992, 9 a.m.-5 p.m
Hayden, Carla D. (1994). "New approaches to black recruitment". In Josey, Elonnie Junius (E.J.) (ed.). The Black Librarian in America Revisited. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press. pp. 55–64. ISBN978-0-8108-2830-8. OCLC29519257.
Selected articles
Hayden, Carla D. (1985). "Museum of Science and Industry Library". Science & Technology Libraries. 6 (1–2): 47–54. doi:10.1300/J122v06n01_06.
Hayden, Carla D. (1986). "Literature for and about black adolescents". Illinois Libraries. 68: 372–374.
Hayden, Carla D. (1989). "Multicultural Literature and Library Services for Children: A Continuing Challenge for the New Century". 55th IFLA Council and General Conference Paris, France 19-26 August 1989. The Hague (Netherlands): IFLA General Conference. pp. 2–4. OCLC438720810.
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. (2003). ALA reaffirms core values, commitment to members. Newsletter On Intellectual Freedom, 52(6), 219.
Hayden, C. D. (2003). Equity of Access—the Time Is Now. American Libraries, 34(7), 5.
Hayden, C. D. (2003). ALA President's Message: Something for Everyone@ Your Library. American Libraries, 5–5.
Hayden, C. D. (2003). ALA President's Message: What Are Libraries For?. American Libraries, 5–5.
^Museum Association of Douglas County (April 1997). "The History of Tuscola's Negro* Population"(PDF). Cabin Chatter: Newsletter of the Museum Association of Douglas County. Tuscola, IL: Museum Association of Douglas County: 101. OCLC38191450. Archived from the original(PDF) on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
^Goodwin, Ruby Berkley (2013). It's Good to Be Black (Sixtieth-anniversary ed.). IL: Southern Illinois University Press. ISBN978-0-8093-3122-2. OCLC900954690.
^"2019 Summit Highlights Photo". Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, presents the Golden Plate Award to Dr. Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, at the Banquet of the Golden Plate Award gala ceremonies.
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