Carla Hayden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carla Hayden
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Hayden in 2020
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| 14th Librarian of Congress | |
| Assumed office September 14, 2016 |
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| President |
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| Deputy | Robert Newlen Mark Sweeney |
| Preceded by | David S. Mao (acting) |
| President of the American Library Association | |
| In office 2003–2004 |
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| Preceded by | Maurice J. Freedman |
| Succeeded by | Carol A. Brey-Casiano |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 10, 1952 Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. |
| Education | MacMurray College Roosevelt University (BA) University of Chicago (MLIS, PhD) |
Carla Diane Hayden was born on August 10, 1952. She is an American librarian who holds a very important job: she is the 14th Librarian of Congress. This means she is in charge of the Library of Congress, which is the biggest library in the world!
Carla Hayden made history in 2016 when she was chosen for this role. She is the first African American and the first woman to ever be the Librarian of Congress. She is also the first professional librarian to hold this job since 1974.
Hayden started her career at the Chicago Public Library. She earned her PhD in library science from the University of Chicago. Before becoming Librarian of Congress, she was the CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland, from 1993 to 2016. She also served as president of the American Library Association (ALA) from 2003 to 2004. During her time as ALA president, she spoke out against parts of the Patriot Act that affected how libraries could share information.
Contents
Carla Hayden's Early Life and Education
Carla Hayden was born in Tallahassee, Florida. Her father, Bruce Kennard Hayden Jr., taught music at Florida A&M University. Her mother, Colleen Hayden, was a social worker. Carla grew up in Queens, New York. When she was 10, her parents divorced, and she moved with her mother to Chicago, Illinois.
Hayden shared that her love for reading began with a book called Bright April by Marguerite de Angeli. This book was about a young African-American girl in the Brownies. In high school, she enjoyed books about British history and mystery stories.
She went to MacMurray College and then transferred to Roosevelt University. Even though she loved libraries, she didn't think about it as a career right away. She graduated from Roosevelt University in 1973 with degrees in political science and African history. Later, she earned her master's degree in Library Science in 1977 and her doctorate in Library Science in 1987. Both of these degrees were from the University of Chicago Graduate Library School.
Carla Hayden's Career Journey
Carla Hayden started her library career at the Chicago Public Library. She enjoyed telling stories to children with autism. From 1973 to 1979, she worked as a children's librarian. Then, from 1979 to 1982, she helped coordinate services for young adults. She also worked at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry from 1982 to 1987.
Hayden then moved to Pittsburgh. She taught at the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences from 1987 to 1991. After that, she returned to Chicago. She became the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Librarian of the Chicago Public Library from 1991 to 1993. During this time, she met Michelle Obama and Barack Obama.
From 1993 to 2016, Hayden was the executive director of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore. In 2010, President Barack Obama wanted to nominate her to be a member of the National Museum and Library Services Board.
Leading the Enoch Pratt Free Library
Carla Hayden became the Director of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 1, 1993. She was in charge of a library system with 22 locations and many employees. She oversaw the opening of a new library branch, which was the first in 35 years. She also led a big renovation of the main library building.
During the 2015 protests in Baltimore, Hayden made an important decision. She kept Baltimore's libraries open. This was praised by many people. She explained that libraries are important community places. She said that if libraries closed, it would send a message of fear. She believed libraries should be open, especially during tough times. The library became a safe place for people when many stores were closed.
She left this job on August 11, 2016, when she was appointed to the Library of Congress.
President of the American Library Association
Carla Hayden was the president of the American Library Association (ALA) from 2003 to 2004. The ALA is a group for librarians in America. Her main goal was "Equity of Access." This means that everyone, no matter their background or age, should have equal access to information. This includes information in different forms, like digital and print.
As ALA president, Hayden spoke out against the Patriot Act. She fought to protect the privacy of library users. She was especially concerned about a part of the law that allowed the government to look at library records. Hayden often disagreed publicly with the U.S. Attorney General at the time, John Ashcroft. He said that librarians were wrong to oppose the law. Hayden replied that librarians had been watched before, even during the McCarthy Era. She wanted to make sure there was a balance between safety and personal freedoms.
Because of her strong stand for people's rights, Ms. magazine named her their 2003 Woman of the Year. She said that libraries are a key part of democracy. They are places where information is free and available to everyone. She believes librarians are "fighters for freedom."
Hayden also started important outreach programs. At the Enoch Pratt Free Library, she created an after-school center for teens. It offered help with homework and advice for college and careers. For this work, she received the Library Journal's Librarian of the Year Award in 1995. She was the first African American to get this award. She also helped create the Spectrum Scholarship Program. This program helps students from diverse backgrounds get degrees in library science.
The 14th Librarian of Congress
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On February 24, 2016, President Barack Obama nominated Carla Hayden to be the next Librarian of Congress. President Obama said that Hayden had spent her career making libraries modern. He believed she had the experience and knowledge to lead the nation's oldest federal institution. He also noted that if confirmed, she would be the first woman and first African American in the role.
Many library, publishing, and educational groups supported her nomination. The United States Senate confirmed her on July 13, 2016, with a vote of 74 to 18. She was sworn in by Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts on September 14, 2016. For over 200 years, only white men had held the position of Librarian of Congress. Carla Hayden's appointment was a big step forward. She is also a professional librarian, which is important because many past Librarians of Congress were scholars, not librarians.
As Librarian of Congress, Hayden wants to "open the treasure chest" of the Library of Congress. She plans to make sure that at least half of the library's 162 million items are available digitally. This is especially important for rare collections. She also hopes the library can have live performances and traveling exhibits. These exhibits would tour America and offer educational programs for school kids.
Hayden wants to modernize the library. She aims to protect its collections while also making them easier to access. She is the first Librarian of Congress appointed since the internet became widely used. She wants to reach people outside of Washington, D.C., especially in rural areas. She also wants to make sure information is available to people with visual disabilities. Improving the library's technology is another major goal.
In 2017, Hayden hosted 4-year-old Daliyah Marie Arana and 8-year-old Adam Coffey as "Librarian of Congress for the day."
Honors and Awards
Carla Hayden has received many awards for her work. In 1995, Library Journal gave her the national Librarian of the Year Award. She was the first African American to receive this honor. This award recognized her dedication to "equity of access," meaning everyone should have fair access to information.
- 1995: Library Journal, Librarian of the Year Award
- 1995: Loyola University Maryland, Andrew White Medal
- 1996: DuBois Circle of Baltimore, Legacy of Literacy Award
- 1998: Johns Hopkins University, President's Medal
- 2003: Ms., Woman of the Year
- 2006: American Library Association, Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture
- 2013: American Library Association, Joseph W. Lippincott Award
- 2015: American Library Association, Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture
- 2016: Fortune, The World's 50 Greatest Leaders
- 2017: College of William & Mary, honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
- 2017: American Library Association, Melvil Dewey Medal
- 2017: Women's National Book Association, Centennial Award
- 2017: Hurston/Wright Foundation, North Star Award
- 2017: Time Magazine, Firsts Honoree
- 2017: New York Public Library, Library Lion Honoree
- 2017: W.E.B. Du Bois Medal from Harvard University
- 2018: American Library Association Honorary Membership
- Newberry Library Award for service to the humanities
- Coalition of 100 Black Women, Torch Bearer Award
- College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Pro Urbe Award
- Greater Baltimore Urban League, Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award
- YWCA Leader Award, Baltimore
- Barnard College Medal of Distinction
- University of Baltimore, honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
- Morgan State University, honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
- McDaniel College, honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
- Wake Forest University, honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
- 2019: New York University, honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
- 2019: Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement
- 2022: Columbia University, honorary Doctor of Letters
- 2022: University of Pennsylvania, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
- 2023: Tufts University, honorary Doctor of Letters
- 2023: American Library Association, Haycock Award for Promoting Librarianship
- 2024: Council for Advancement and Support of Education Circle of Excellence Award
- 2024: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Chair’s Award
Memberships and Boards
Carla Hayden has been a member of many important boards and organizations. These include:
- 2015–2016: Baltimore Community Foundation, Trustee
- Maryland African American Museum Corporation, Board Member
- Goucher College, Board Member
- Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute and Library, Board Member
- Baltimore City Historical Society, Board Member
- Baltimore Reads, Board Member
- Maryland Historical Society, Board Member
- Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, Board Member
- Open Society Institute–Baltimore, Board Member
- PALINET, Board Member
- Sinai Hospital, Board Member
- University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences, Board Member
- 2007– : Baltimore Gas and Electric, Board Member
- 2010– : National Museum and Library Services Board, Member
- 2010– : National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities, Member
- 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
Images for kids
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Carla Hayden in 2020.
See also
In Spanish: Carla Hayden para niños
