“The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and its members are deeply disappointed in the administration’s decision to terminate Dr. Carla Hayden as Librarian of Congress,” said Andrew K. Pace, executive director of the Association of Research Libraries.
“As the first professional librarian in over four decades to hold the post, Dr. Hayden’s appointment was historic in many ways—she was the first woman and African American to lead the Library of Congress. Yet her legacy extends far beyond those milestones. Over nearly a decade of service, Dr. Hayden transformed the Library of Congress into a more open, accessible, and celebrated U.S. institution, while reaffirming its role as the people’s library.”
“Under her leadership, the Library of Congress became more than a repository of knowledge; it became a vibrant hub of civic engagement, education, and cultural preservation. Dr. Hayden championed transparency, digitization, and public outreach, ensuring that the library’s vast collections and national treasures were not only preserved but shared widely with the American public.”
“The primary purpose of any research library, including the Library of Congress, is to provide comprehensive, objective, and authoritative resources and analysis to its constituents—in this case, Congress. This is achieved through the Congressional Research Service, a nonpartisan function overseen by the Librarian of Congress for over 200 years. It is essential that future appointees uphold this mission to ensure a well-informed national legislature.”
“This decision is part of a troubling pattern of attacks on libraries, science, research, and the pursuit of knowledge that undermine the very principles on which this nation was built.”
“We thank Dr. Hayden for her extraordinary leadership and lasting contributions to our democracy.”
About the Association of Research Libraries
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of research libraries in Canada and the US whose vision is to create a trusted, equitable, and inclusive research and learning ecosystem and prepare library leaders to advance this work in strategic partnership with member libraries and other organizations worldwide. ARL’s mission is to empower and advocate for research libraries and archives to shape, influence, and implement institutional, national, and international policy. ARL develops the next generation of leaders and enables strategic cooperation among partner institutions to benefit scholarship and society. ARL is on the web at ARL.org.
