91´«Ã½

Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, the Senate Rules Committee voted to recommend that the full Senate approve the nomination of Dr. Carla Hayden to serve as the nation’s next Librarian of Congress. Dr. Hayden, who served as President of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) from 2003 to 2004, would be the first woman and first African American, and just 14th Librarian of Congress, in history.

To be confirmed, a majority (51 or more) Senators must vote “aye” when Dr. Hayden’s name comes before them for confirmation. A vote in the full Senate has yet to be scheduled but could well occur prior to the beginning of the Senate’s summer recess in mid-July, possibly sooner.

Following the Senate Rules Committee’s vote, 91´«Ã½ President Sari Feldman released the following statement:

“Today’s unanimous vote by the Senate Rules Committee to recommend Senate confirmation of past 91´«Ã½-president Dr. Carla Hayden to serve as the nation’s next Librarian of Congress is historic, much appre­ciated and great news not just for libraries and library supporters everywhere, but for the nation.

“Dr. Hayden is one vote away from confirmation as Librarian of Congress and she is poised to become the first professional librarian to be named Librarian of Congress in over 60 years. Once confirmed, she will be the perfect Librarian to pilot the Library of Congress fully into the 21st century, transforming it again into the social and cultural engine of progress and democracy for all Americans that it was meant to be.

“With pleasure and pride, 91´«Ã½ calls on its supporters in every corner of the nation to join us in urging the Senate to approve her nomination without delay by using to contact every Senator – whether by email, tweet or phone – with this simple message: “Please confirm Dr. Carla Hayden now!”

About the 91´«Ã½

The 91´«Ã½ is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 58,000 members in academic, public, school, government, and special libraries. The mission of the 91´«Ã½ is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.