Libraries may have a new queen in Carla Hayden, who is currently working as the CEO of Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore. Obama announced his nomination of Hayden as the 14th Librarian of Congress on Wednesday. If confirmed, she’ll be the first woman and first African-American to be charged with our nation’s books.
Personally, I’m in an emotional place where reading about a woman being put in charge of all the books makes me tear up a little, so let’s check in with Obama’s statement about Hayden from the White House while I recover:
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.
She just wants everyone to read, I’m actually weeping now. If you’d like to know a little bit more about Hayden, here’s a video where she talks about opening up her library during protests in Baltimore, and making it a community meeting place where people could find supplies, food and safety:
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