Carla Hayden, the first woman and first Black person to serve as the Librarian of Congress, was abruptly dismissed via email last month. The email, which she initially thought might be a hoax, informed her that her position was terminated effective immediately. Appointed by President Barack Obama, Hayden had been in the role for nearly ten years.

In her first public comments since the firing, Hayden expressed her surprise and disappointment. "I was never notified beforehand and after. No one has talked to me directly at all from the White House," she said. The email, sent on May 8, was the only communication she received regarding her termination.

Hayden stated that there had been no issues between her and President Trump or any other administration. "So, this wasn't personal?" she was asked. "No, no. I don't think it was personal," she replied. When questioned about the motivations behind her dismissal, she said, "I don't know what it was about, frankly."

Her firing is viewed by many as part of a larger trend, as President Trump has been removing leaders from cultural institutions and targeting public media and universities for budget cuts. Supporters of Hayden gathered at a town hall meeting at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library in Washington, D.C., to voice their concerns. Author Kwame Alexander remarked, "The firing of our distinguished, esteemed Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, makes it clear to us that the freedom to read, the freedom to learn, the freedom to express ourselves is under attack. … We are simply going to be bold."

During the town hall, Hayden reflected on the support she has received. "They're being loud, I think, and it's so humbling to have that outpouring of support," she said. She emphasized that the current climate reflects a broader effort to limit public access to information. "We like to say as librarians, 'Free people read freely.' And so, there's been an effort recently to quell that," she added.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed Hayden's dismissal, stating, "We felt she did not fit the needs of the American people. There were quite concerning things that she had done at the Library of Congress in the pursuit of DEI and, uh, putting inappropriate books in the library for children."

Hayden responded to these comments, expressing concern over the lack of understanding regarding the Library of Congress's role. "When I heard those comments, I was concerned that there might not have been as much of an awareness of what the Library of Congress does," she said. The library primarily serves to fulfill research requests from members of Congress, rather than functioning as a public lending library.

When asked about the term "DEI"—referring to diversity, equity, and inclusion—Hayden found it puzzling that inclusivity could be viewed negatively. "It's been puzzling in many ways, to think about being 'inclusive' as a negative. What's that all about?" she questioned.

Hayden's passion for libraries stems from her own experiences as a child. A book titled "Bright April" by Marguerite De Angeli sparked her love for reading. "You see yourself. And that's why it's so important for young people to see themselves, or to read about experiences that they're having. 'Cause it validates you, because you've seen it in a book," she explained.

She believes libraries play a crucial role in democracy. "The freedom to read is essential to our democracy," she stated, referencing the American Library Association's 1953 statement. "Democracy is under attack," she added, emphasizing the importance of institutions that support democratic values.

Hayden's dismissal has ignited discussions about the role of libraries in society and the ongoing challenges they face in providing access to information. As she continues to advocate for the freedom to read, her legacy as a trailblazer in the library community remains significant.