Dr. Carla D. Hayden
Photo courtesy of City of Baltimore
A WIDE-RANGING CAREER
Hayden began her career at the Chicago Public Library (CPL) as children’s librarian from 1973–79 and young adult services coordinator from 1979–82, stepping into the role of library services coordinator for the Museum of Science and Industry from 1982–87. From 1987–91 she served as assistant professor of library science at the University of Pittsburgh. Hayden then returned to CPL, where she was deputy commissioner and chief librarian from 1991–93. Hayden was appointed director of EPFL in 1993, at a time when the library’s infrastructure and outreach were at a crossroads. In her 23 years at EPFL, Hayden oversaw system-wide technology updates, a new annex for the Central Library, the renovation of ten branches, and the construction of the new Southeast Anchor Library, Baltimore’s first new library building in more than 35 years. The $112 million renovation of the Central Library/State Library Resource Center, currently in progress, is scheduled for completion in 2018. EPFL made news last April, when the Pennsylvania Avenue branch remained open in the face of citywide protests after Freddie Gray, an African American man, died in police custody. Hayden, along with Ferguson Municipal Public Library, MO, director Scott Bonner, became a spokesperson for libraries stepping up to serve their communities in troubled times. During her ALA presidency, Hayden had occasion to publicly comment on a number of challenges to the fundamentals of civil liberties in libraries, speaking out against the 2003 Supreme Court ruling on the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and revisions to the USA PATRIOT Act. Hayden has received numerous awards for her commitment to the profession. In addition to being the first African American to be named LJ’s Librarian of the Year in 1995, she was one of Ms. Magazine’s ten Women of the Year in 2003, and received ALA’s 2013 Joseph W. Lippincott Award, honoring distinguished service to the profession of librarianship. “This is truly a great honor to be nominated by President Obama to lead the nation’s library, the Library of Congress,” said Hayden. “It is my privilege to serve the Enoch Pratt Free Library and the citizens of Baltimore for more than 20 years, during which time we restored its world-renowned reputation. I want to thank the Pratt librarians and staff, the Board, our donors and partners, and most importantly our patrons for entrusting in us their trust to provide equal access to a variety of programs, services, and resources to people across Baltimore and the State of Maryland.” In the event of Hayden’s confirmation, the EPFL board of directors and trustees will begin a nationwide search for a permanent CEO. “We are thankful for Dr. Carla Hayden’s dedication and the amazing work she has accomplished in the 23 years she spent with the Pratt Library,” said Patricia Lasher, Board of Directors and Trustees Chair. “She has made this library system a world renowned institution and continued Enoch Pratt’s legacy by providing a place of learning for all citizens with amazing resources, services, and programming.”ENTHUSIASM FOR HAYDEN
Hayden was one of several library leaders proposed for the Librarian of Congress position when Billington announced his retirement, including New York Public Library president Anthony W. Marx and former Boston Public Library President Amy Ryan. In October, Sen. Barbara Mikulski and Sen. Ben Cardin (both D-MD) wrote the White House, encouraging President Obama to consider nominating Hayden. “I’m proud to have recommended Dr. Hayden to President Obama to serve as our next Librarian of Congress, and look forward to her confirmation by the Senate,” said Senator Mikulski in a statement to the press. “Dr. Hayden has brought knowledge and truth to our communities, helping the leaders of today blaze trails and forge the way to the future. She has done a great service to Baltimore families, leading the way as Enoch Pratt Libraries light up the way for so many with knowledge.” Added Senator Cardin, “Dr. Hayden is a cultural treasure to our city and a long-time defender of the free flow of information…. While the loss will be a great one for Baltimore City, I look forward to introducing Dr. Hayden to my colleagues and to welcoming her as our nation’s top librarian.” "Dr. Hayden will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role," said IMLS Director Kathryn K. Matthew in a press release. "She has demonstrated a firm commitment to libraries, museums and archives and is especially adept at finding new and innovative ways to engage communities and populations. As the Library of Congress continues to expand its digital and outreach capabilities, Dr. Hayden will be well-situated to lead the institution into the future. We at IMLS look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Hayden in her new role." “The Association of Research Libraries [ARL] is pleased that President Obama has nominated Carla Hayden to this vital post at a critical time," ARL president Larry Alford said in a statement. "Now more than ever, the Librarian of Congress ensures the broad access to information that is essential to teaching, learning, and civic engagement.” At ALA, the response to Hayden’s nomination has been particularly enthusiastic. “The President could not have made a better choice,” said ALA President Sari Feldman in a statement. “Hats off to President Obama for nominating Dr. Hayden, a professional librarian uniquely positioned with the leadership and management skills and understanding of digital technology to make the Library of Congress the preeminent national library in the world, highly-valued by and serving all Americans as a treasured resource. We look forward to working closely with her to further librarians’ bedrock principle that all Americans everywhere deserve and must have equitable access to the information that they need to succeed and lead productive lives in the digital age.” Below: Meet President Obama's Nomination for Librarian of Congress:We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing
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Nirosha kahawala
Congratulation .....Posted : Feb 27, 2016 08:35
kamlesh vyas
I have not worked or heard about her. But I am engaged with this profession for long time and as per my knowledge I think Dr Hyden is an excellent choice for respectable position. Best wishes.Posted : Feb 26, 2016 11:02
Amy
I worked with Dr. Hayden at the Chicago Public Library. She is an excellent choice for this position, and it is exciting to have a leader in the library profession nominated as Librarian of Congress. I hope the Senate will move quickly and positively on this appointment.Posted : Feb 26, 2016 04:14
Dan Kleinman
Carla Hayden is on the ground floor of the American Library Association efforts to nullify the 2003 US Supreme Court case of United States v. American Library Association. In 13 years since, that case is largely ignored as a direct result of Carla's leadership as then-ALA President, many, many victims of illegal child p 0 rn in libraries have been harmed and many librarians are sexually harassed. Indeed, ALA is one of the nation's leading facilitators of sexual exploitation, in part based on the foundation Carla laid. There is no First Amendment right to Internet p 0 rnography in public libraries, but, thanks in part to Carla Hayden, even 13 years later, people simply do not know that as Carla/ALA worked to hide that information from the public. That said, I cannot foresee how she could be so damaging should her nomination be confirmed, and she may even do well. But a lot of people have been harmed thanks in part to her actions to nullify SCOTUS; she does not deserve such a nomination.Posted : Feb 25, 2016 08:21