Carla D. Hayden

Dr. Carla D. Hayden is a distinguished librarian and the first African American and first woman to serve as the Librarian of Congress, having been appointed by President Barack Obama in 2016. Prior to her appointment, she was the CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was recognized for her innovative approaches to library services and community engagement. Throughout her tenure, Dr. Hayden emphasized the importance of access to information and digital literacy, navigating the challenges posed by changing technologies and political landscapes. Her firing by the Trump administration in 2019 prompted significant backlash and discussions about the role of librarians in preserving democratic values.