Position Statement on the Termination of Dr. Carla Hayden as Librarian of Congress
The Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) expresses its profound shock, dismay, and concern at the abrupt termination of Dr. Carla Hayden from her position as the 14th Librarian of Congress.
Dr. Hayden’s tenure marked a historic chapter not only for the Library of Congress but also for the global library and information science (LIS) community. As the first woman and the first African American to hold this esteemed role, she was an international symbol of progress, equity, and the transformative power of open, democratic access to information. Her leadership consistently demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the modernization of information systems, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the championing of marginalized voices within the national and global record.
The removal of Dr. Hayden from office represents a significant and troubling moment for the LIS profession in the United States. It sends an unsettling message about the value placed on diverse leadership, the independence of cultural institutions, and the role of libraries as defenders of intellectual freedom and access to information in a democratic society. Her absence will leave a deep void in national policy conversations surrounding digital preservation, equitable access to information, and the future of public knowledge institutions.
Moreover, the repercussions of this decision are not confined to the United States. Dr. Hayden was a globally respected figure, fostering international collaborations, advancing digital initiatives that transcended national borders, and advocating for the preservation and accessibility of the world’s cultural memory. The termination of her leadership risks undermining critical global partnerships and weakening the collective efforts of the international information science community to build inclusive, forward-looking, and ethically grounded information infrastructures.
ASIS&T calls upon decision-makers to recognize the indispensable role of professional, independent, and visionary leadership in stewarding our most vital information institutions. We urge transparency in the processes surrounding this decision and reaffirm our solidarity with the broader LIS community in advocating for principles of equity, access, and the public good in all matters concerning information stewardship.
We extend our deepest appreciation to Dr. Carla Hayden for her exemplary service and leadership and commit ourselves to upholding the values she so powerfully embodied throughout her career.