Key Takeaways
– President Trump removed Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden without warning on May 8
– The Library of Congress holds 26 million books and 136 million other items for public use
– The library began in 1800 with 740 volumes and rebounded after two great fires
– Carla Hayden was the first woman and Black person to lead the institution
– Critics say her dismissal threatens open access to information
Introduction
On May 8, President Trump fired Carla Hayden as Librarian of Congress. Hayden led the library since 2016. She was the first woman and Black person in that role. The news stunned many people. Critics called the move unfair. They say it sends a message that civil servants must follow every presidential wish.
What Is the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress started in 1800. Congress passed a law to buy books and create a reading room. It now has six buildings in Washington. Anyone over 16 with an ID can read materials on site. Members of Congress can borrow items to take home. The library serves lawmakers first but helps all citizens.
Its Vast Collections
The library holds nearly 26 million books. It also keeps 136 million other items. These include maps, photographs, sheet music, and manuscripts. It safeguards historic papers like Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence. It also stores notes from the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
Public Research and Services
Each year, the library answers more than 760,000 research questions. It issues about 69,000 library cards. Staff add over 1.4 million new items every year. They also manage copyright deposits under a law from 1870. The library’s annual budget is around 900 million dollars. It employs over 3,200 people.
A Rich History of Growth
Before the United States formed, James Madison urged a national library. In 1800, President Adams signed the law to create it. The first collection had 152 works in 740 volumes from England. It sat in a small Senate office.
Two Devastating Fires
In 1814, the British burned the library during the War of 1812. President Jefferson sold his collection of 6,479 books to help rebuild. Then in 1851, a fire destroyed two thirds of the new collection. Yet the library recovered. It bought the Smithsonian library’s 40,000 volumes in 1866.
Expanding Copyright Duties
In 1870, Librarian Ainsworth Spofford won a law that required two copies of copyrighted works. This act helped centralize and preserve American creativity. It also boosted the library’s national role.
Becoming the Nation’s Library
By 1900, the library held nearly one million books and materials. It opened a new building in 1897 with services for blind people. Theodore Roosevelt called it “the one national library of the United States.” Over time, it added items in more than 450 languages.
A Global Mission
In the twentieth century, the library added rare treasures. It acquired a Gutenberg Bible from 1455. It also started keeping presidential papers from Washington to Coolidge. By 2000, it digitized many collections to reach people online.
A Library for Everyone
Although meant for Congress, it serves all Americans. People can ask questions by mail or phone. In the 1960s, staff answered odd queries like the color of a mastodon’s eye or the number of words in English. The library even granted a “poetic license” to a poet in 1954. In the modern era, it calls itself a multimedia encyclopedia.
Carla Hayden’s Leadership
Carla Hayden joined the library in 2016. She made history as its first Black and first female leader. Under her watch, the library improved digital access. She expanded programs for kids and underserved communities. In her final report, she called the library “truly a library for all.”
The Sudden Dismissal
On May 8, Hayden got an email stating her job was over. The note came from the White House personnel office. It said President Trump had fired her effective immediately. The notice thanked her for service but gave no details.
White House Explanation
A press secretary claimed Hayden placed “inappropriate books” for children. The statement did not name the books or offer examples. Lawmakers called the reason vague and unconvincing.
Political Reactions
Senator Chuck Schumer said Trump is punishing civil servants who resist him. Democrats in Congress slammed the firing as unjust. They warned it could chill the work of career officials across agencies.
A Threat to Open Access
Hayden and others fear that replacing top librarians could limit free access to information. She spoke on television and stressed that democracy needs solid institutions. She noted she never had issues with any prior administration.
The Acting Librarian
Trump named Todd Blanche, his former personal lawyer, as acting librarian. Critics worry he lacks library experience. They fear political appointees could reshape collections or censor materials.
Looking Ahead for the Library
The Library of Congress stands at a crossroads. It needs stable leadership to guide new digital projects and services. Lawmakers face a choice to protect the library’s independence. They must decide if future chiefs will hold firm to free research and open access.
Why It Matters
The library preserves America’s cultural heritage. It helps scholars, students, and citizens learn about the nation’s story. If politics control its shelves, the public could lose trust in its missions. In turn, democracy could suffer.
Conclusion
The firing of Carla Hayden shows how politics can touch even quiet institutions. The Library of Congress has survived wars, fires, and budget fights. Yet it owes its strength to clear missions and skilled staff. Now it needs leaders who will keep it open and true to its roots. As it enters its 225th year, the library must continue as a resource for every American.