Dr. Carla Hayden has been the head of Baltimore’s library system for many years. She is the former CEO of Enoch Pratt Free Library, one of the oldest free libraries in the country. She also served as president of the American Library Association from 2003 to 2004.

Back in February of this year, President Obama nominated Dr. Hayden for the Librarian of Congress position. In a press release from the White House he 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.”

He said that “Dr. Hayden has devoted her career to modernizing libraries so that everyone can participate in today’s digital culture.” On Wednesday, Dr. Hayden was confirmed as the 14th Librarian of Congress, making history as the first black person and the first woman in the position. She will serve a 10-year term with the option to be reappointed after.

The position was previously considered to be a lifetime appointment until the president signed a bill, changing the law. Previous librarian James Billington was appointed by President Regan and served for 28 years before stepping down last year. He was criticized for not keeping up with technological advances.

The Library of Congress is the oldest federal institution in the country. As the first woman, and black Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden is starting a new tradition amidst a long history of white men, so it’s lit!

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