The end of the James H. Billington era has prompted an outpouring of advice from scholars and pundits on a new agenda for LC, from mass digitization of the library’s book collections and wholesale archiving of websites to relaxing copyright restrictions. Yet many of these prescriptions align poorly with the realities of the digital present … Continue reading Rethinking the National Library
Hayden has been a prominent figure in many critical library issues through her career. She was elected president of the American Library Association (ALA) in 2002, shortly after the passage of the USA Patriot Act. During her year as president-elect and her 2003–2004 presidency, Hayden was a vocal opponent of the Patriot Act, and one of … Continue reading Hayden Nomination Clears Senate Rules Committee
Indeed he did. A lot of names were circulating, of people who would be great and a few that made my hair stand on end. Mercifully, we don’t have to contemplate a future with a Librarian of Congress with just a background in business or technology—though as director of a major urban public library, Hayden … Continue reading One of Us
April 20: Coverage of Carla Hayden’s confirmation hearings for Librarian of Congress will air live on C-SPAN.org beginning at 2:15 p.m. ET. “If confirmed, Dr. Hayden would be the first woman and the first African American to hold the position—both of which are long overdue,” said President Obama in announcing his intent to nominate Hayden. Hayden … Continue reading Librarian of Congress Nominee No Stranger to Historic Moments
In a statement, President Obama 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. Dr. Hayden has devoted her career to modernizing … Continue reading Obama to Nominate Carla Hayden for Librarian of Congress
A pretty typical moment for most librarians, Diggs says, except that Tuesday morning, April 28, was no typical day. Just 12 hours before, rioting had erupted across the street from the Pennsylvania Avenue branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, when protests against the high-profile death of Baltimore resident Freddie Gray turned violent. As a … Continue reading Libraries Respond to Community Needs in Times of Crisis
Thanks so much for your time this morning, Dr. Hayden. Can you describe what’s going on at the library right now? Yes, I’m here at the Pennsylvania Avenue branch with National Guard troops surrounding the building. The state’s attorney just announced that the six officers will be indicted [in Freddie Gray’s death]. The library is … Continue reading Baltimore’s Library Stays Open During Unrest
During Women’s History Month, it’s become traditional to celebrate the contributions of deceased women to scholarship and society. American Libraries has certainly done its share of articles about historic library figures over the years such as Mary Letitia Jones and Sadie Peterson Delaney (PDF files). The Women of Library History tumblr has taken a refreshing approach … Continue reading Women Making Library History
Each year, the American Library Association recognizes the achievements of more than 200 individuals and institutions with various awards. Chosen by juries consisting of colleagues and peers, this year’s award winners were chosen for their leadership and vision, as well as their continued investment in the profession through mentorship. The following honorees represent only a … Continue reading Honoring Excellence and Leadership
