For Carla Hayden, 2025 has been a year of turning bitter lemons into lemonade. In March, after the White House removed her without cause from her position as the 14th librarian of Congress, Hayden received an outpouring of support from fellow librarians and book people. “The response from the library and publishing community has been so heartening,” Hayden says. “Their dismay at what happened was coupled with their reminiscences about libraries and librarians, expressing solidarity with the profession.”
Hayden was appointed the nation’s librarian in 2016 by President Barack Obama, becoming the first woman and first African American to serve in that prestigious role. Since leaving the Library of Congress, she has continued to be a vocal champion of equitable access and the right to read, and in July she joined the Mellon Foundation for a one-year senior fellowship, working with the Public Knowledge program on cultural preservation. “They’ve been doing great things with archival work, digital access, and Native American resources,” Hayden says. “The philanthropic community is stepping up” to support presses, libraries, and educators, she adds.
After months of uncertainty around federal funding for literature and the arts, Hayden says, “it’s time to regroup and say, What are the scenarios going forward? in a strategic-planning type of way.” She’s using her current platform to spark conversation among foundations, libraries, publishers, and literary organizations. “What if federal funding is dispersed differently and not centralized in an IMLS or NEH or NEA? What does that mean, and what are some opportunities locally, for instance?”
Hayden believes partnerships for literacy and education could be reimagined at city, county, and state levels. “Sometimes the big picture is overwhelming,” she says. “But we’re talking about the most creative folks: authors and illustrators, the editors who support them, and the librarians who promote the materials to the children who are ready to be inspired. It’s a pretty nice group, and we’re assessing needs and opportunities going forward.” With allies across America, she adds, “I feel that I might still be able to be useful and helpful.”
