Carla Hayden Honoured by Authors Guild After Library of Congress Tenure
Former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden was celebrated with the Champion of Writers Award from the Authors Guild, receiving cheers from hundreds of literary community members at a gala event in New York. The honour comes nearly a year after her abrupt dismissal from the prestigious national library role by former President Donald Trump.
A Lifetime of Library Service Recognised
Carla Hayden, aged 73, served as the head of the Library of Congress from 2016 to 2025, following decades of dedication to library work throughout her adult career. As the first woman and first Black person appointed to the Librarian of Congress position, her leadership marked significant historical milestones for the institution.
During her acceptance speech at the Authors Guild's annual dinner-gala held at Cipriani Wall Street, Hayden eloquently described libraries as "where storytelling meets opportunity" and emphasised their crucial role in connecting communities with knowledge. "Libraries are where a child discovers a first favourite book, where a new American finds language and belonging, and where research uncovers hidden history," she told the captivated audience.
Implicit Rebuttal to Cultural Attacks
While Hayden made no direct reference to Trump or her controversial ouster during her remarks, her speech served as an implicit response to attacks against what the former president has labelled "woke" culture. These criticisms have targeted Hayden personally along with cultural institutions like the Kennedy Center and Smithsonian Institution.
Hayden praised libraries as "engines of accessibility and inclusion" and described them as vital havens for free expression during a period of unprecedented book bans across the United States. "In many places today, librarians are under attack for believing in the power of the written word and in the principle that free people should be able to read freedom," she stated, while expressing confidence that "librarians remain steady and hopeful."
Literary Community Unites Against Challenges
The gala event provided a prominent forum for addressing pressing concerns within the literary world, including opposition to book bans and challenges posed by artificial intelligence technology. Author David Baldacci joined other writers in denouncing AI systems that allegedly use copyrighted material without permission, referencing ongoing lawsuits against companies like Microsoft and OpenAI.
Hayden was honoured alongside two other distinguished literary figures:
- Percival Everett, the 69-year-old Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist whose book "James" earned both the Pulitzer and National Book Award
- Amy Tan, the 74-year-old author celebrated for "The Joy Luck Club" and recognised for Distinguished Service to the Literary Community
Fellow Honourees Share Powerful Perspectives
Percival Everett, who received the Baldacci Award for Literary Activism named after David Baldacci, offered a sobering vision of potential future restrictions at the Library of Congress. He suggested a plausible scenario where only works by conservative favourites like Ayn Rand might remain accessible, commenting "That is where we are, and I can't tell you how sad I am about this."
Amy Tan delivered a deeply personal account of how early experiences shaped her understanding of writing's political power. She recalled being chastised by a minister for reading "The Catcher in the Rye" as a girl, followed by an assault that became what she described as an "unwanted life lesson" driving her toward compassionate storytelling.
"Books, by their nature, have far reaching consequences regardless of our conscious intentions," Tan explained, identifying herself as "a writer, an American writer, an American who uses her freedom of expression." Beyond her literary achievements, Tan has supported emerging writers and helped fund Lyme disease treatment for young people, drawing from her own decades-long battle with the illness.
The Authors Guild ceremony highlighted the ongoing importance of literary advocacy during challenging times for creative expression, with Hayden's recognition particularly emphasising the vital role libraries continue to play in democratic society.
