Carla D. Hayden will be sworn in as the 14th Librarian of Congress in a historic ceremony in the Thomas Jefferson Building Wednesday, Sept. 14 at noon. The ceremony will be broadcast live, beginning at 11 a.m., on the Library of Congress YouTube channel. The YouTube broadcast will be captioned.
The ceremony marks two milestones: Hayden will become the first woman and the first African-American to serve as Librarian of Congress. She plans to take the oath using a book, drawn from Library collections, with historic connections of its own: the Lincoln Bible.
Hayden has recently overseen the renovation of the central branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, a four-year, $112 million project, and has also led $40 million in renovations to other units within the 22-branch Pratt system. The system is named for the businessman and philanthropist who financed its founding in 1886.
Longtime chief executive of the Enoch Pratt Free Library system in Baltimore and a former president of the American Library Association, Hayden took the helm of the Baltimore system in 1993, winning strong praise for her work to ensure that the city’s library system offers a broad array of services to assist citizens from all walks of life, from access to books and other learning materials to computer access and job information. A program of outreach into neighborhoods served by the Pratt libraries included after-school centers for teens, offering homework assistance and college counseling; a program offering healthy-eating information for residents in areas with insufficient access to high-quality food; programming in Spanish; establishment of an electronic library, and digitization of the Library’s special collections.
Hayden first served as a children’s librarian in the Chicago Public Library system, eventually rising to the post of deputy commissioner and chief librarian in that system. She also taught Library and Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh. She received Library Journal’s 1995 Librarian of the Year Award, and served as president of the American Library Association 2003-2004.
Comments (26)
It sounds like she will represent us well in her new role. Also, you go girl!
This is a beautiful journey with a fitting stepping stone to the future!
The above bio. tells us and the world you deserve
this honor.
Best of luck and congrats.
as above – go girl !!!!
This is great news! I will be tuning in on September 14th!
We have a winner, it seems in Carla Hayden. Look forward to the youtube viewing. Bravo Carla! Bravo Library of Congress. The LoC beat the USofA in electing a Woman at the Helm!! or maybe not.
Carla Hayden’s ceremony as the first woman and the first African-American to serve as Librarian of Congress precedes the Grand Opening of the NMAAHC, National Museum of History and Culture on Sept. 24th.
Each of these amazing events will make our nation stronger, more inclusive and representative of every American without regard to color or culture.
Cheers to our great nation!
Much admiration from Canada too. To paraphrase our very progressive Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau: “Because it is 2016!”
Thank you Carla for all you have done for the libraries of Baltimore! We are honored to have you selected for Librarian of Congress and look forward to following your powerful work there!
Wonderful! Will the broadcast be streamed at noon ET or CT?
Noon ET.
I’m delighted that come that moment of Carla laying hands on the Good Book, the Lincoln Bible, the whole world of librarians will accord her a standing ovation. God bless Carla,President Jefferson & the Library of Congress.
Congratulations to Dr. Hayden and LOC! I can’t wait to see what’s next:)
I am so excited for the change. Carla will make the perfect Librarian of Congress.
(You go girl!!!)
Congratulations as you embark on these new milestones added to your path in life.
Be proud; well deserved!
JP
I have met Dr. Hayden who is not only beautiful in spirit but an individual filled with intelligence, human potential of the greatest capacity and an aura reaching millions like personal meditation; in times like these, it is wonderful to see personal greatness applauded.
Continue to move forward with the grace and humility you possess.
I noticed in the first paragraph above that the start time is now 11am EDT. Does anyone know how long the ceremony lasts? Thanks!
Congratulations and best wishes Carla!
Your accomplishments are well documented. I count it a personal privilege to have known and worked with you. You are an amazing woman!
The start time is now very confusing. The text has been changed from noon ET to 11ET but Erin Allen wrote that it starts at noon ET yesterday. HELP????!
My apologies for the confusion everyone. The broadcast begins at 11am eastern time, as there will be some programming prior to the actual swearing-in. Carla Hayden will be officially sworn in at noon, and the ceremony should last about an hour. So, you can start tuning in at 11am, with the actual swearing-in starting at noon. Thanks!
Awesome! I lived in the Chicago area when Ms. Hayden became CPL director.
Congratulations, Carla! You will do a great job!
Would like my grandson to see the ceremony but I could not find it listed on C-Span. Is YouTube the only place to watch the ceremony?
Carolyn,
Thanks for you comment. Yes, you can watch the live broadcast of the ceremony on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvNuPcftWYE The feed begins at 11 a.m. EDT, and the ceremony begins at noon EDT.
Congratulations Carla, I and your Chicago Public Library and Chicago area colleagues are so proud of you. It has been a joy to watch your ascent over the years and the grace, committment, humility and wisdom you brought to each position. There are countless librarians who have been inspired by your career. W ishing you the very best on this new journey.
Will the recording of the ceremony made available at some point? I’m eager for my students, who were unable to attend the live broadcast, to be able to witness this historical moment!
Thank you,
The recording is available on the Library’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvNuPcftWYE