Carla Hayden was nominated by President Barack Obama to head the Library of Congress on Wednesday. Hayden, 63, is currently the chief executive of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore's public library system, a position she has held since 1993. She would be the first black Library of Congress chief in history.
"Dr. Hayden has devoted her career to modernizing libraries so that everyone can participate in today's digital culture. She has the proven experience, dedication and deep knowledge of our nation's libraries to serve our country well, and that's why I look forward to working with her in the months ahead," Obama said in a statement, reports the New York Times.
"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," Obama added, according to abc News.
"The president could not have made a better choice," opined Sari Felman, president of the American Library Association, reports Reuters.
The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and is home to more than 158 million items, including 36 million books and other print materials in 460 languages. Sadly, most of the collection is yet to be digitized.
If confirmed by the Senate, Hayden would lead a 3,100-strong staff and oversee an annual budget of almost $600 million.
