Dr. Carla Hayden Appointed Senior Fellow at Mellon Foundation After Controversial Dismissal

Dr. Carla Hayden, the first woman and African American to serve as Librarian of Congress, has been appointed as a senior fellow at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, effective July 7, 2025. In this role, she will advise on initiatives to advance public knowledge through libraries and archives and engage in scholarship, writing, and research projects.

This appointment follows her abrupt dismissal from the Library of Congress by President Donald Trump on May 8, 2025. Hayden, who was appointed in 2016 by President Barack Obama, was serving a 10-year term set to conclude in 2026. Her termination was communicated via an email from the White House's Presidential Personnel Office.

The dismissal came after criticism from the conservative American Accountability Foundation, which accused Hayden of promoting "radical" literature and opposing the president. The group alleged that she was "woke, anti-Trump, and promotes trans-ing kids." The White House cited her promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies as reasons for her removal.

The decision to fire Hayden sparked significant backlash. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described the firing as "an unjust decision" and "a disgrace," linking it to efforts to "ban books, whitewash American history, and turn back the clock." Senator Chris Van Hollen called the action "outrageous" and a violation of the separation of powers, emphasizing that the Library of Congress is "not the library of the White House."

The American Library Association (ALA) also condemned the dismissal. ALA President Cindy Hohl stated, "Dr. Hayden’s abrupt and unjust dismissal is an insult to the scope and breadth of work Dr. Hayden has undertaken in her role leading the Library of Congress."

Following her dismissal, Hayden's appointment as a senior fellow at the Mellon Foundation aligns with the foundation's mission to strengthen the public knowledge ecosystem. The Mellon Foundation, a leading supporter of the arts and humanities, has been actively addressing challenges such as federal funding cuts to humanities programs.

Hayden's career has been marked by a commitment to accessibility and modernization. Prior to her tenure at the Library of Congress, she served as the CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore from 1993 to 2016, where she was recognized for her outreach efforts, including establishing an after-school center for teens. She also served as president of the American Library Association from 2003 to 2004, during which she was a leading voice against provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act that impacted public information services.

Her dismissal and subsequent appointment highlight ongoing debates over the role of cultural institutions and the importance of equitable access to information. The swift backlash from various sectors underscores the value placed on non-partisan leadership in preserving and disseminating knowledge.

The Mellon Foundation's decision to appoint Hayden as a senior fellow can be seen as a reaffirmation of her contributions to the field and a commitment to supporting initiatives that promote public knowledge and access to information.

As Hayden embarks on this new chapter, her role at the Mellon Foundation is expected to further initiatives that advance public knowledge through libraries and archives, continuing her lifelong dedication to the democratization of information.