Carla Hayden, the former librarian of Congress who was fired by President Donald Trump last month, will address the American Library Association’s annual conference later this month, the organization announced in a news release.
Hayden was appointed by President Barack Obama as the 14th librarian of Congress in 2016, and she was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a 74-18 vote, making her the first woman and the first Black person to hold the position.
In May, she received an email from Trent Morse, the deputy director of presidential personnel, reading, “On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as the Librarian of Congress is terminated effective immediately. Thank you for your service.”
She discussed her dismissal earlier this week on CBS Sunday Morning, saying, “No one has talked to me directly at all from the White House. I’ve received no communication directly, except for that one email.”
Hayden will appear at the ALA conference in conversation with Kwame Alexander, the author of books including The Crossover, Booked, and The Door of No Return, on June 28.
“Hayden and Alexander will discuss the current state of libraries and the challenges library professionals are facing not only in America but across the world, from book bans to library funding,” the ALA says. “Attendees can look forward to an informative discussion on the importance of libraries as cornerstones of democracy.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
