Carla Hayden, the former Librarian of Congress who was ousted by President Donald Trump, is stepping back into the national spotlight with a new mission: to protect and expand access to public knowledge.
On Monday, July 7, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation announced that Hayden will join the organization as a senior fellow, where she will advise on advancing public understanding through libraries, archives, and other cultural institutions.
The role signals a new chapter for Hayden, who was the first woman and first African American to serve as Librarian of Congress before being dismissed amid political controversy.
Hayden’s appointment comes as the Mellon Foundation, the nation’s largest funder of the arts and humanities, ramps up efforts to counteract deep federal cuts to cultural and educational programming.
The foundation’s president, Elizabeth Alexander, called Hayden “a leader with an unshakable regard for the public good of the American people” and explained the importance of her leadership during a “crucial time.”
Fired, but Not Forgotten
Hayden’s firing shocked many in the library and academic communities. Although her term was scheduled to run through 2026, she was abruptly removed after a conservative group accused her of promoting “radical” materials and opposing the Trump administration’s policies.
Despite the politicized departure, Hayden remains committed to the mission that defined her career: championing the free exchange of information.
“For generations, libraries, archives, and cultural institutions have been the guardians of knowledge and the catalysts for human progress,” Hayden said in a statement to the Associated Press. “Together, we will work to strengthen the public knowledge ecosystem and ensure that the transformative power of information remains accessible to all.”
Mellon Fills the Gap in Arts Funding
The Mellon Foundation’s new initiatives respond to an increasingly hostile environment for public knowledge institutions, which have faced rising censorship, political interference, and technological disruption.
Mellon’s recent $15 million emergency fund seeks to compensate for the estimated $65 million in federal support that was slashed from state humanities councils—institutions that sponsor book fairs, heritage events, and public performances across the U.S.
In recent years, Mellon has also partnered with the American Library Association to combat book bans, increase scholarships for librarians of color, and promote adult literacy initiatives.
A Storied Career
Before her appointment to the Library of Congress in 2016, Hayden led the Enoch Pratt Free Library system in Baltimore for more than two decades and served as president of the American Library Association.
Her academic credentials include degrees from Roosevelt University and the University of Chicago. She is a member of both the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Hayden’s tenure as Librarian of Congress was widely praised for its modernization efforts, community outreach, and high-profile public engagement campaigns. Among her more memorable moments: inviting music star Lizzo to play a historic crystal flute once owned by President James Madison during a 2022 visit.
Confusion Over Successor
Since Hayden’s removal, the Library of Congress has been mired in leadership confusion.
Trump appointed Todd Blanche—better known as the former president’s defense attorney in his 2024 criminal trial—as interim Librarian. However, staff have recognized longtime librarian Robert Newlen as acting head while awaiting Senate confirmation of a permanent replacement.
Regardless of who fills the post, Hayden’s voice remains powerful in shaping the future of public access to knowledge.
