View source for Librarian of Congress

{{Short description|Head of the Library of Congress}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox political post
| post = Librarian
| body = Congress
| flag = Flag of the Library of Congress.svg
| flagsize = 
| flagborder = 
| flagcaption = Flag of the Library of Congress
| insignia = Seal of the United States Library of Congress.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert
| insigniasize = 
| insigniacaption = Seal of the Library of Congress
| department = [[Library of Congress]]
| reports_to = 
| image = 
| alt = 
| incumbent = ''Disputed''{{efn |name=Disputed}}<br />[[Robert Newlen]] (acting)<br />{{nobold|since May 8, 2025}}<br />[[Todd Blanche]] (acting)<br />{{nobold|since May 12, 2025}}
| incumbentsince = 
| appointer = [[President of the United States]]
| termlength = Ten years
| inaugural = [[John J. Beckley]]
| formation = 1800
| deputy = ''Disputed'' <br> Vacant (since May 8, 2025) <br> Brian Nieves (acting) (since May 12, 2025)<ref>{{cite news |author=Maya C. Miller |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Trump Installs Top Justice Dept. Official at Library of Congress, Prompting a Standoff |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/us/politics/trump-library-of-congress.html}}</ref>
| salary = {{USD|203,700|link=yes}}<br /><small>[[Executive Schedule#Level II|Level II of the Executive Schedule]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/2/136a-2 |title=US Code, Title 2, Chapter 5, Section 136a–2: Librarian of Congress and Deputy Librarian of Congress; compensation |work=Cornell University: Legal Information Institute |year=2014 |access-date=February 14, 2014}}</ref></small>
| website = {{URL|www.loc.gov/about/librarianoffice/|loc.gov/librarianoffice/}}
| appointer_qualified = with [[United States Senate|Senate]] [[advice and consent]]
| imagecaption = Official portrait, 2020 (Cropped)
}}

The '''librarian of Congress''' is the head of the [[Library of Congress]], appointed by the [[president of the United States]] with the [[advice and consent]] of the [[United States Senate]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/2/136-1 |title=US Code, Title 2, Chapter 5, Section 136-1 – Appointment and term of service of Librarian of Congress |work=Cornell University: Legal Information Institute |date=November 5, 2015 |access-date=March 17, 2016}}</ref> for a term of ten years.<ref name="limit bill">{{Cite web |first=Blunt |last=Roy |title=S.2162 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2162 |website=congress.gov |date=2015-11-05 |access-date=2015-11-11}}</ref> The librarian of Congress also appoints and oversees the [[Register of Copyrights]] of the [[U.S. Copyright Office]] and has broad responsibilities around [[copyright]], extending to electronic resources and [[fair use]] provisions outlined in the [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]]. The librarian determines whether particular works are subject to DMCA prohibitions regarding technological access protection.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/1201 |title=US Code, Title 17, Chapter 12, Section 1201 - Circumvention of copyright protection systems |work=Cornell University: Legal Information Institute |year=2014 |access-date=February 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.copyright.gov/1201/ |title=Section 1201: Exemptions to Prohibition Against Circumvention of Technological Measures Protecting Copyrighted Works |work=U.S. Copyright Office |year=2013 |access-date=February 14, 2014}}</ref>  In addition, the librarian appoints the [[U.S. poet laureate]] and awards the [[Gershwin Prize for Popular Song]].

== History ==
On April 24, 1800, the [[6th United States Congress]] passed and President [[John Adams]] signed an appropriations bill that created the Library of Congress.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/about/history-of-the-library/|title=History of the Library of Congress|website=loc.gov |publisher=Library of Congress|access-date=March 19, 2016}}</ref> This statute provided "for the removal [from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.] and accommodation of the Government of the United States". The fifth section of the act created the Library of Congress and designated some of its early functions, including "the acquisition of books for congressional use, a suitable place in the Capitol in which to house them, a joint committee to make rules for their selection, acquisition, and circulation", as well as an appropriation of $5,000 for the new library.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Librarians of Congress, 1802-1974 |publisher=Library of Congress|year=1977|isbn=0844402389|location=Washington|pages=vii|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/librariansofcong00libr}}</ref>

In 1802, two years after the creation of the library, President [[Thomas Jefferson]] signed into law a bill that created the Office of the Librarian and granted the president power of appointment for the new office.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://academic.lexisnexis.com/documents/upa_cis/3458_LibraryCongressDocHist.pdf|title=The Library of Congress a Documentary History|date=1987|website=academic.lexisnexis.com|publisher=Lexis Nexis|access-date=March 19, 2016|archive-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329044424/https://academic.lexisnexis.com/documents/upa_cis/3458_LibraryCongressDocHist.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, Jefferson appointed his former campaign manager [[John J. Beckley]] to serve as the first librarian of Congress.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/librarians-of-congress/|title=Librarians of Congress|website=American Libraries Magazine|access-date=March 19, 2016|archive-date=July 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705003003/http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/librarians-of-congress/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was paid $2 a day and was also required to serve as clerk to the House of Representatives.<ref>{{cite book |last=Murray |first=Stuart |title=The Library: An Illustrated History |location=New York |publisher=Skyhorse Pub |year=2009 |postscript=. Chicago :ALA Editions, 2009.}}{{page needed|date=November 2020}}</ref> It was not until 1897 that the Senate was given the power to confirm the president's nominee.<ref name="Librarians of Congress">{{cite web |title=Librarians of Congress |website=Jefferson's Legacy: A Brief History of the Library of Congress |date=March 30, 2006 |url=https://www.loc.gov/loc/legacy/librs.html |publisher=Library of Congress |access-date=March 15, 2020}}</ref> This same law gave the librarian the sole power for making the institution's rules and appointing the library's staff.<ref name="Librarians of Congress" />

Until the nomination of [[Herbert Putnam]] in 1899 under [[William McKinley|President McKinley]], all previous librarians lacked any prior experience in the profession of librarianship; these librarians had held roles in journalism, law, writing, publishing, academia, and politics.<ref name="loc.gov">{{Cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/loc/legacy/librs.html|title = Jefferson's Legacy: A Brief History of the Library of Congress -- LIBRARIANS OF CONGRESS|website = [[Library of Congress]]}}</ref> Even to this day, only three librarians – four including acting librarian [[David S. Mao]] in 2015 – had previously been librarians.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

== Appointment, term length, and salary ==
From its creation until 2015, the post of the librarian was not subject to term limits and allowed incumbents to maintain a lifetime appointment once confirmed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Recio|first=Maria|date=October 31, 2015|title=Librarian of Congress Gets a Due Date|work=McClatchy DC|url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article41942157.html|access-date=March 19, 2016}}</ref> Most librarians of Congress have served until death or retirement.<ref name="Librarians of Congress" /> There were only 13 librarians of Congress in the more than two centuries from 1802 to 2015, and the library "enjoyed a continuity of atmosphere and of policy that is rare in national institutions".<ref name="Librarians">{{cite book|title=Librarians of Congress: 1802-1974|publisher=Library of Congress|year=1977|location=Washington}}</ref> In 2015, Congress passed and President [[Barack Obama]] signed into law the "Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015",<ref>{{USPL|114|86}}</ref> which put a 10-year term limit on the position with an option for reappointment.<ref>Congressional Bill; 114 Bill Profile S.2162-  An Act To establish a 10-year term for the service of the Librarian of Congress. Sponsor: Roy Blunt and Charles Schumer. November 5, 2015. Public law 114-86.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=November 5, 2015|title=Public Law 114-86|url=https://www.congress.gov/114/plaws/publ86/PLAW-114publ86.pdf|access-date=March 19, 2016|website=Congress.gov}}</ref> The legislation was seen as a critique of Librarian [[James H. Billington]]'s unwillingness to hire a permanent chief information officer to effectively manage and update the library's [[information technology]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=McGlone|first=Peggy|date=March 31, 2015|title=America's 'national library' is lacking in leadership, yet another report finds|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/americas-national-library-is-behind-the-digital-curve-a-new-report-finds/2015/03/31/fad54c3a-d3fd-11e4-a62f-ee745911a4ff_story.html|access-date=March 19, 2016}}</ref>

According to Section 136-1 of Title 2 of the U.S.C., the librarian of Congress shall be appointed to office by a nomination from the president and the advice and consent of the Senate. The librarian may then serve for a term of 10 years and be reappointed to the post with the same procedure. The librarian of Congress shall be compensated for his/her services with the equivalent of the rate of pay set by Level II of the Executive Schedule.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}

== Qualifications ==
There are no laws or regulations delineating qualifications for the office holder.<ref name="Librarians of Congress" /> The position of librarian of Congress has been held by candidates of different backgrounds, interests, and talents, throughout its history. Politicians, businessmen, authors, poets, lawyers, and professional [[librarians]] have served as the librarian of Congress.<ref name="Librarians of Congress" /> However, at various times there have been proposals for requirements for the position. In 1945, [[Carl Vitz]], then president of the [[American Library Association]], wrote a letter to the president of the United States regarding the position of librarian of Congress, which had recently become vacant. Vitz felt it necessary to recommend potential librarians. Vitz stated the position "requires a top-flight administrator, a statesman-like leader in the world of knowledge, and an expert in bringing together the materials of scholarship and organizing them for use—in short, a distinguished librarian".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Vitz|first=Carl|year=1945|title=Re: Librarian of Congress|magazine=ALA Bulletin|volume=39|issue=2|pages=62}}</ref> In 1989, Congressman [[Major Owens]] (D–NY) introduced a bill to set stricter requirements for who may be appointed. He argued appointed librarians need to have specialized training; the bill did not become law.<ref>Congressional Bill; 101 Bill Profile H.R. 1255- Appointment of the Librarian of Congress. Sponsor: Major Owens (D- NY). March 2, 1989, Congress Session 101-1.</ref>

== List of librarians of Congress == 
The following persons have served as the librarian of Congress:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/about/about-the-librarian/previous-librarians-of-congress/ |title=Previous Librarians of Congress |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>

{|class="toccolours"
|{{legend|#E6E6AA|Denotes acting capacity.}}
|}

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!{{Abbr|No.|Number}}
!class=unsortable |Image
!Librarian
!Start
!End
!Notes
!Nominated by
|-
|1
|[[File:No image.svg|70px]]
|{{sortname|John|Beckley|John J. Beckley}}{{efn |name=clerk}}
|{{dts|January 26, 1802}}
|{{dts|April 8, 1807}}{{efn |name=Died}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/n84136150/john-james-beckley-1757-1807/ |title=John James Beckley (1757-1807) |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Thomas|Jefferson}}
|-
|2
|[[File:Patrick Magruder.tif|70px]]
|{{sortname|Patrick|Magruder}}
|{{dts|November 6, 1807}}
|{{dts|January 28, 1815}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/nr2001008606/patrick-magruder-1768-1819/ |title=Patrick Magruder (1768-1819) |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
|-
|3
|[[File:George watterson.jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|George|Watterston}}
|{{dts|March 21, 1815}}
|{{dts|May 28, 1829}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/n83041676/george-watterston-1783-1854/ |title=George Watterston (1783-1854) |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
|{{sortname|James|Madison}}
|-
|4
|[[File:Silva meehan.jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|John|Meehan|John Silva Meehan}}
|{{dts|May 28, 1829}}
|{{dts|May 23, 1861}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/n86070561/john-silva-meehan-1790-1863/ |title=John Silva Meehan (1790-1863) |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
|{{sortname|Andrew|Jackson}}
|-
|5
|[[File:John g stephenson (3x4 cropped).jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|John|Stephenson|John Gould Stephenson}}
|{{dts|May 24, 1861}}
|{{dts|December 31, 1864}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/n96035157/john-g-stephenson-1828-1883/ |title=John G. Stephenson (1828-1883) |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Abraham|Lincoln}}
|-
|6
|[[File:Ainsworth Spofford, c. 1870s (3x4 cropped).jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Ainsworth|Spofford|Ainsworth Rand Spofford}}
|{{dts|December 31, 1864}}
|{{dts|June 30, 1897}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/n90613873/ainsworth-rand-spofford-1825-1908/ |title=Ainsworth Rand Spofford (1825-1908) |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
|-
|7
|[[File:John Russell Young, half-length portrait, facing front; Librarian of Congress from 1897 to 1899 (3x4 cropped).jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|John|Young|John Russell Young}}
|{{dts|July 1, 1897}}
|{{dts|January 17, 1899}}{{efn |name=Died}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/n83202815/john-russell-young-1840-1899/ |title=John Russell Young (1840-1899) |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
|{{sortname|William|McKinley}}
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|Acting
|[[File:Ainsworth Spofford, c. 1870s (3x4 cropped).jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Ainsworth|Spofford|Ainsworth Rand Spofford}}
|{{dts|January 18, 1899}}
|{{dts|December 11, 1899}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://guides.loc.gov/librarians-of-congress/young-putnam |title=John Russell Young and Herbert Putnam: 1897-1939 |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
|
|-
|8
|[[File:Herbert Putnam (3x4 cropped).jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Herbert|Putnam}}
|{{dts|December 12, 1899}}
|{{dts|October 1, 1939}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/n85185518/herbert-putnam-1861-1955/ |title=Herbert Putnam (1861-1955) |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
|{{sortname|William|McKinley}}
|-
|9
|[[File:Portrait of Archibald MacLeish, undated (3x4 cropped).jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Archibald|MacLeish}}
|{{dts|October 2, 1939}}
|{{dts|December 19, 1944}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/n80015459/archibald-macleish-1892-1982-2/ |title=Archibald MacLeish (1892-1982) |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
|{{sortname|Franklin D.|Roosevelt}}
|-
|bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |acting
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Luther H. Evans (3x4 cropped).tif|70px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Luther|Evans|Luther H. Evans}}
|bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |{{dts|December 19, 1944}}
|bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |{{dts|June 29, 1945}}
|rowspan=2 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/n82099611/luther-evans-1902-1981/ |title=Luther Evans (1902-1981) |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/collections/freedoms-fortress/articles-and-essays/biographical-sketches/librarians-of-congress/ |title=Freedom's Fortress: The Library of Congress, 1939 to 1953 |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Harry S.|Truman}}
|-
|10
|{{dts|June 30, 1945}}
|{{dts|July 5, 1953}}
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|Acting
|[[File:Verner W. Clapp (3x4 cropped).jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Verner|Clapp|Verner W. Clapp}}
|{{dts|July 6, 1953}}
|{{dts|August 30, 1954}}
|<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://original-ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu/AA00008458/00022/4j |title=Verner Warner Clapp |page=278 |journal=Library of Congress Information Bulletin |volume=31 |number=25 |date=June 23, 1972}}</ref>
|
|-
|11
|[[File:Lawrence Quincy Mumford (3x4 cropped).jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Quincy|Mumford|Lawrence Quincy Mumford}}
|{{dts|September 1, 1954}}
|{{dts|December 31, 1974}}
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/09/02/archives/mumford-sworn-in-as-librarys-head.html |title=Mumford Sworn In As Library's Head |date=September 2, 1954 |page=19 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/n88127776/lawrence-quincy-mumford-1903-1982/ |title=Lawrence Quincy Mumford (1903-1982) |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
|{{sortname|Dwight D.|Eisenhower}}
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|Acting
|[[File:No image.svg|70px]]
|{{sortname|John|Lorenz}}
|{{dts|January 1, 1975}}
|{{dts|November 11, 1975}}
|<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu/my-father-was-a-tailor/chapter/chapter-28-i-become-a-virginian-a-beltway-commuter-and-special-assistant-in-the-reference-department-of-the-library-of-congress/ |chapter=Chapter 28. I Become a Virginian, a Beltway Commuter and Special Assistant in the Reference Department of the Library of Congress |title=My Father Was a Tailor |year=1999 |first=Edward A. |last=D'Allesandro}}</ref>
|
|-
|12
|[[File:Daniel Boorstin.jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Daniel|Boorstin|Daniel J. Boorstin}}
|{{dts|November 12, 1975}}
|{{dts|June 15, 1987}}
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/12/11/boorstin-to-leave-library/32422e89-cd4c-42a4-ae37-baa5b55827b0/ |title=Boorstin to Leave Library |date=December 10, 1986 |first=Curt |last=Suplee |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/n79065337/daniel-j-boorstin-1914-2004/ |title=Daniel J. Boorstin (1914-2004) |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
|{{sortname|Gerald|Ford}}
|-
|13
|[[File:James Billington 2000.jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|James|Billington|James H. Billington}}
|{{dts|September 14, 1987}}
|{{dts|September 30, 2015}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/n80020417/james-h-billington-1929/ |title=James H. Billington (1929-2018) |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-15-174/billington-to-retire-september-30/2015-09-25/ |title=Billington to Retire September 30 |date=September 24, 2015 |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>
|{{sortname|Ronald|Reagan}}
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|Acting
|[[File:David S. Mao (3x4 cropped).jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|David|Mao|David S. Mao}}
|{{dts|October 1, 2015}}
|{{dts|September 13, 2016}}
|<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2015/10/13/an-interview-with-david-mao/ |title=An interview with David Mao |date=October 13, 2015 |magazine=[[American Libraries]]}}</ref>
|
|-
|14
|[[File:Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, 2020 Portrait Headshot (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Carla|Hayden}}
|{{dts|September 14, 2016}}
|{{dts|May 8, 2025}}
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/09/14/493965815/first-woman-and-african-american-sworn-in-as-librarian-of-congress |title=First Woman And African-American Sworn In As Librarian Of Congress |date=September 14, 2016 |first=Andrew |last=Limbong |work=[[All Things Considered]] |publisher=[[NPR]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/05/09/g-s1-65271/librarian-of-congress-fired |title=President Trump fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden |date=May 9, 2025 |publisher=[[NPR]]}}</ref>
|{{sortname|Barack|Obama}}
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|Acting<br>''Disputed''{{efn |name=Disputed |Since Hayden's dismissal by [[Donald Trump]], the role of acting librarian has been disputed between the principal deputy, Newlen, and Trump's named appointee, Blanche.<ref name=Disputed/>}}
|[[File:Congressional Committees and Hearings 4070412.jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Robert|Newlen}}
|{{dts|May 8, 2025}}
|present
|<ref name="ap">{{cite web|last1=Italie|first1=Hillel|last2=MIN KIM|first2=SEUNG|url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-library-congress-todd-blanche-carla-hayden-cc2154fa8644a5c29d196e505e4faa51|title=Deputy attorney general who defended Trump in hush money trial is named acting librarian of Congress|publisher=[[AP News]]|date=May 12, 2025|access-date=May 13, 2025}}</ref><ref name="cbs">{{cite web|last1=Jiang|first1=Weijia|last2=McFarlane|first2=Scott|last3=Kates|first3=Graham|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/todd-blanche-trump-attorney-librarian-of-congress/|title=Justice Department's Todd Blanche appointed acting Librarian of Congress|publisher=[[CBS News]]|access-date=May 13, 2025}}</ref><ref name=Disputed>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/05/12/congress/doj-no-2-is-now-locs-no-1-00341700 |title=The Leadership of the Library of Congress Is in Apparent Dispute |first1=Josh |last1=Gerstein |first2=Katherine |last2=Tully-McManus |date=May 12, 2025 |accessdate=May 13, 2025 |work=[[Politico]]}}</ref>
|
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|Acting<br>''Disputed''{{efn |name=Disputed}}
|[[File:DAG DAG Todd Blanche Official Port.jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Todd|Blanche}}
|{{dts|May 12, 2025}}
|present
|<ref name="ap"/><ref name="cbs"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Ulaby|first=Neda|url=https://www.npr.org/2025/05/12/nx-s1-5395879/trump-todd-blanche-librarian-congress|title=The President has named a new Acting Librarian of Congress. It's his former defense lawyer.|publisher=[[NPR]]|date=May 12, 2025|access-date=May 13, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-12 |title=Deputy attorney general who defended Trump in hush money trial named acting Librarian of Congress |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-library-congress-todd-blanche-carla-hayden-cc2154fa8644a5c29d196e505e4faa51 |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=Disputed/>
|
|}

===Notes===
{{noteslist|refs=
 {{efn |name=Died|Died in office}}
 {{efn |name=clerk|Was also the [[clerk of the United States House of Representatives|clerk of the House]].}}
 <!-- Don't move {{efn |name=Disputed}} here or strange error msgs will be displayed -->
}}

==Timeline of librarians of Congress==
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|row5-style=styleDefault
|row5-1-to=1861
|row5-2-to=1864
|row5-2-style=styleLibrarianCongress
|row5-3-text=[[John Gould Stephenson|Stephenson]] (1861–64)

|row6=timeline
|row6-style=styleDefault
|row6-1-to=1864
|row6-2-to=1897
|row6-2-style=styleLibrarianCongress
|row6-2-text={{color|white|{{colored link|white|Ainsworth Rand Spofford|Spofford}} (1864–97)}}

|row7=timeline
|row7-style=styleDefault
|row7-1-to=1897
|row7-2-to=1899
|row7-2-style=styleLibrarianCongress
|row7-3-text=[[John Russell Young|Young]] (1897–99)

|row8=timeline
|row8-style=styleDefault
|row8-1-to=1899
|row8-2-to=1939
|row8-2-style=styleLibrarianCongress
|row8-2-text={{color|white|{{colored link|white|Herbert Putnam|Putnam}} (1899–1939)}}

|row9=timeline
|row9-style=styleDefault
|row9-1-to=1939
|row9-2-to=1945<!-- for display reasons -->
|row9-2-style=styleLibrarianCongress
|row9-3-text=[[Archibald MacLeish|MacLeish]] (1939–44)

|row10=timeline
|row10-style=styleDefault
|row10-1-to=1945
|row10-2-to=1954<!-- for display reasons -->
|row10-2-style=styleLibrarianCongress
|row10-3-text=[[Luther H. Evans|Evans]] (1945–53)

|row11=timeline
|row11-style=styleDefault
|row11-1-to=1954
|row11-2-to=1974
|row11-2-style=styleLibrarianCongress
|row11-3-text=[[Lawrence Quincy Mumford|Mumford]] (1954–74)

|row12=timeline
|row12-style=styleDefault
|row12-1-to=1975
|row12-2-to=1987
|row12-2-style=styleLibrarianCongress
|row12-3-text=[[Daniel J. Boorstin|Boorstin]] (1975–87)

|row13=timeline
|row13-style=styleDefault
|row13-1-to=1987
|row13-2-to=2015
|row13-2-style=styleLibrarianCongress
|row13-2-text={{color|white|{{colored link|white|James H. Billington|Billington}} (1987–2015)}}

|row14=timeline
|row14-style=styleDefault
|row14-1-to=2016
|row14-1-text=[[Carla Hayden|Hayden]] (2016–2025)
|row14-2-to={{currentyear}}
|row14-2-style=styleLibrarianCongress

|row49=scale
|caption=Librarians of Congress (1802–present)<br />Acting librarian*
}}
}}

==See also==
* [[List of librarians]]
* [[Parliamentary Librarian of Canada]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite news |title=Hiring: The First Librarian of Congress for the Internet Age |date=June 2015 |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/06/hiring-the-first-librarian-of-congress-for-the-internet-age/396038/ |work=[[The Atlantic]] }}
* {{cite news |work=The New York Times |title=Many Choices for Obama in Replacing Billington at Library of Congress |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/13/us/politics/many-choices-for-obama-in-replacing-james-billington-at-library-of-congress.html |date=June 2015 }}
* {{cite news |url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/who_should_be_the_next_librarian_of_congress_wrong_question_commentary-242902-1.html |date=June 2015 |author=Alan S. Inouye |title=Who Should Be the Next Librarian of Congress? Wrong Question! |work=[[Roll Call]] }}
* {{cite news |author=Jessamyn West |author-link=Jessamyn West (librarian)|url=https://medium.com/message/the-next-librarian-of-congress-e85d514fc800 |title=The Next Librarian of Congress |series=The Message |work=[[Medium (website)|Medium]] |date=July 2015 }}
* {{cite web |date=July 2015 |author=Andrew Albanese |work=Publishers Weekly |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/67382-check-it-out-with-andrew-richard-albanese-a-new-librarian-of-congress-for-2016.html |title=Could the Nomination of the Next Librarian of Congress Spark a Political Battle? }}

{{Librarians of Congress}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Librarians of Congress| ]]
[[Category:Librarians at the Library of Congress| ]]
[[Category:Library of Congress]]
[[Category:Lists of office-holders in the United States|Librarians Of Congress]]
[[Category:American librarians]]
[[Category:Lists of librarians]]
[[Category:1802 establishments in Washington, D.C.]]