Dr. Carla Hayden has been nominated by President Obama to a position that no African-American has held ever. 

In the 214 years of existence the position of Librarian of Congress has never been held by an African-American. This position resides over the world’s largest library and has many responsibilities, including overseeing matters of copyrighting.

Dr. Hayden currently serves as the CEO of Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore and has known President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama back when she was deputy commissioner and chief librarian at the Chicago Public Library from 1991 until 1993.

On the president’s Facebook page the following statement was issued in regard to the nomination.

Today, I’m nominating Dr. Carla Hayden to be our 14th Librarian of Congress. Michelle and I have known Carla since her days working at the Chicago Public Library, and her dedication to learning and education is unparalleled. More recently, she’s been hard at work revitalizing Baltimore’s struggling library system as the CEO of Enoch Pratt Free Library. Last year, during the unrest in Baltimore, Dr. Hayden kept the doors of the Pratt open as a beacon for the community. Her understanding of the pivotal role that emerging technologies play in libraries will be essential in leading the Library of Congress as it continues to modernize its infrastructure and promote open access and full participation in today’s digital world. Finally, Dr. Hayden will be the first woman and the first African-American to hold this position in its 214 year history – both of which are long overdue.

If confirmed by the US Senate, Dr. Hayden becomes the 14th Librarian of Congress. Congratulations to Dr. Carla Hayden on this historic achievement.