Latest news with #AmericanLibraryAssociation
Washington Post
19-07-2025
- General
- Washington Post
‘Little House on the Prairie,' beloved and troubling, gets a reappraisal
I used to love Laura Ingalls Wilder's 'Little House on the Prairie' series, but in recent years it has fallen out of favor. And for good reason. The phrase 'the only good Indian is a dead Indian,' for instance, is uttered by multiple characters. In 1998, an 8-year-old girl on the Upper Sioux Reservation was so understandably upset by this remark that her mother petitioned the school district to ban the book from its curriculum. The mother's petition was unsuccessful, but the little girl's distress is a cautionary tale. Twenty years later, the American Library Association took Wilder's name off the medal the group had created in her honor in 1954, declaring, 'Wilder's legacy … includes expressions of stereotypical attitudes inconsistent with [the association's] core values of inclusiveness, integrity and respect, and responsiveness.'
07-07-2025
- Politics
Former Librarian of Congress, fired by Trump, vows to improve public information in new Mellon role
NEW YORK -- The former Librarian of Congress abruptly fired by President Donald Trump has found a new position with the country's largest philanthropic supporter of the arts. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation exclusively told The Associated Press that Carla Hayden will join the humanities grantmaker Monday as a senior fellow whose duties will include advising on efforts to advance public knowledge through libraries and archives. The year-long post places Hayden back at the center of the very debates over American culture that surrounded her dismissal. The White House ousted Hayden, the first woman and the first African American to hold the title, after she was accused of promoting 'radical' literary material by a conservative advocacy group seeking to squash Trump opposition within the federal government. Hayden acknowledged existing threats to 'the free exchange of ideas' in a statement to the AP. 'For generations, libraries, archives, and cultural institutions have been the guardians of knowledge and the catalysts for human progress,' she said. 'Together, we will work to strengthen the public knowledge ecosystem and ensure that the transformative power of information remains accessible to all.' Meanwhile, the Mellon Foundation has been working to fill fiscal holes for arts communities reeling from federal cuts. Its $15 million 'emergency' fund aims to offset the $65 million that were supposed to go to the state humanities councils that organize book fairs, heritage festivals, theater productions and other programs fostering cultural engagement. The foundation has previously supported the American Library Association's efforts to counter book bans, increase scholarships for librarians of color and boost adult literacy. Mellon President Elizabeth Alexander said the foundation is thrilled to welcome Hayden, 'a leader with an unshakable regard for the public good of the American people,' during such a 'crucial time.' Public knowledge institutions are navigating 'historic challenges and transformative advances," according to Mellon, including artificial intelligence, digital technologies, federal funding withdrawals and censorship efforts. Hayden's tenure at the Library of Congress included modernizing its collection of the nation's books and history. Recent campaigns sought to improve accessibility for everyday visitors. She oversaw new initiatives reaching out to rural and online audiences. And it was Hayden who arranged for Lizzo's 2022 performance where the artist played a crystal flute owned by President James Madison — among the Library's troves of artifacts. Before her confirmation in 2016, Hayden spent more than two decades as CEO of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library system and was president of the American Library Association from 2003 to 2004. A graduate of Roosevelt University and the University of Chicago, she is a member of the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. ___
The Hill
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Former Librarian of Congress, fired by Trump, vows to improve public information in new Mellon role
NEW YORK (AP) — The former Librarian of Congress abruptly fired by President Donald Trump has found a new position with the country's largest philanthropic supporter of the arts. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation exclusively told The Associated Press that Carla Hayden will join the humanities grantmaker Monday as a senior fellow whose duties will include advising on efforts to advance public knowledge through libraries and archives. The year-long post places Hayden back at the center of the very debates over American culture that surrounded her dismissal. The White House ousted Hayden, the first woman and the first African American to hold the title, after she was accused of promoting 'radical' literary material by a conservative advocacy group seeking to squash Trump opposition within the federal government. Hayden acknowledged existing threats to 'the free exchange of ideas' in a statement to the AP. 'For generations, libraries, archives, and cultural institutions have been the guardians of knowledge and the catalysts for human progress,' she said. 'Together, we will work to strengthen the public knowledge ecosystem and ensure that the transformative power of information remains accessible to all.' Meanwhile, the Mellon Foundation has been working to fill fiscal holes for arts communities reeling from federal cuts. Its $15 million 'emergency' fund aims to offset the $65 million that were supposed to go to the state humanities councils that organize book fairs, heritage festivals, theater productions and other programs fostering cultural engagement. The foundation has previously supported the American Library Association's efforts to counter book bans, increase scholarships for librarians of color and boost adult literacy. Mellon President Elizabeth Alexander said the foundation is thrilled to welcome Hayden, 'a leader with an unshakable regard for the public good of the American people,' during such a 'crucial time.' Public knowledge institutions are navigating 'historic challenges and transformative advances,' according to Mellon, including artificial intelligence, digital technologies, federal funding withdrawals and censorship efforts. Hayden's tenure at the Library of Congress included modernizing its collection of the nation's books and history. Recent campaigns sought to improve accessibility for everyday visitors. She oversaw new initiatives reaching out to rural and online audiences. And it was Hayden who arranged for Lizzo's 2022 performance where the artist played a crystal flute owned by President James Madison — among the Library's troves of artifacts. Before her confirmation in 2016, Hayden spent more than two decades as CEO of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library system and was president of the American Library Association from 2003 to 2004. A graduate of Roosevelt University and the University of Chicago, she is a member of the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP's philanthropy coverage, visit
Winnipeg Free Press
07-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Former Librarian of Congress, fired by Trump, vows to improve public information in new Mellon role
NEW YORK (AP) — The former Librarian of Congress abruptly fired by President Donald Trump has found a new position with the country's largest philanthropic supporter of the arts. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation exclusively told The Associated Press that Carla Hayden will join the humanities grantmaker Monday as a senior fellow whose duties will include advising on efforts to advance public knowledge through libraries and archives. The year-long post places Hayden back at the center of the very debates over American culture that surrounded her dismissal. The White House ousted Hayden, the first woman and the first African American to hold the title, after she was accused of promoting 'radical' literary material by a conservative advocacy group seeking to squash Trump opposition within the federal government. Hayden acknowledged existing threats to 'the free exchange of ideas' in a statement to the AP. 'For generations, libraries, archives, and cultural institutions have been the guardians of knowledge and the catalysts for human progress,' she said. 'Together, we will work to strengthen the public knowledge ecosystem and ensure that the transformative power of information remains accessible to all.' Meanwhile, the Mellon Foundation has been working to fill fiscal holes for arts communities reeling from federal cuts. Its $15 million 'emergency' fund aims to offset the $65 million that were supposed to go to the state humanities councils that organize book fairs, heritage festivals, theater productions and other programs fostering cultural engagement. The foundation has previously supported the American Library Association's efforts to counter book bans, increase scholarships for librarians of color and boost adult literacy. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Mellon President Elizabeth Alexander said the foundation is thrilled to welcome Hayden, 'a leader with an unshakable regard for the public good of the American people,' during such a 'crucial time.' Public knowledge institutions are navigating 'historic challenges and transformative advances,' according to Mellon, including artificial intelligence, digital technologies, federal funding withdrawals and censorship efforts. Hayden's tenure at the Library of Congress included modernizing its collection of the nation's books and history. Recent campaigns sought to improve accessibility for everyday visitors. She oversaw new initiatives reaching out to rural and online audiences. And it was Hayden who arranged for Lizzo's 2022 performance where the artist played a crystal flute owned by President James Madison — among the Library's troves of artifacts. Before her confirmation in 2016, Hayden spent more than two decades as CEO of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library system and was president of the American Library Association from 2003 to 2004. A graduate of Roosevelt University and the University of Chicago, she is a member of the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP's philanthropy coverage, visit
San Francisco Chronicle
07-07-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Former Librarian of Congress, fired by Trump, vows to improve public information in new Mellon role
NEW YORK (AP) — The former Librarian of Congress abruptly fired by President Donald Trump has found a new position with the country's largest philanthropic supporter of the arts. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation exclusively told The Associated Press that Carla Hayden will join the humanities grantmaker Monday as a senior fellow whose duties will include advising on efforts to advance public knowledge through libraries and archives. The year-long post places Hayden back at the center of the very debates over American culture that surrounded her dismissal. The White House ousted Hayden, the first woman and the first African American to hold the title, after she was accused of promoting 'radical' literary material by a conservative advocacy group seeking to squash Trump opposition within the federal government. Hayden acknowledged existing threats to 'the free exchange of ideas' in a statement to the AP. 'For generations, libraries, archives, and cultural institutions have been the guardians of knowledge and the catalysts for human progress,' she said. 'Together, we will work to strengthen the public knowledge ecosystem and ensure that the transformative power of information remains accessible to all.' Meanwhile, the Mellon Foundation has been working to fill fiscal holes for arts communities reeling from federal cuts. Its $15 million 'emergency' fund aims to offset the $65 million that were supposed to go to the state humanities councils that organize book fairs, heritage festivals, theater productions and other programs fostering cultural engagement. The foundation has previously supported the American Library Association's efforts to counter book bans, increase scholarships for librarians of color and boost adult literacy. Mellon President Elizabeth Alexander said the foundation is thrilled to welcome Hayden, 'a leader with an unshakable regard for the public good of the American people,' during such a 'crucial time.' Public knowledge institutions are navigating 'historic challenges and transformative advances," according to Mellon, including artificial intelligence, digital technologies, federal funding withdrawals and censorship efforts. Hayden's tenure at the Library of Congress included modernizing its collection of the nation's books and history. Recent campaigns sought to improve accessibility for everyday visitors. She oversaw new initiatives reaching out to rural and online audiences. And it was Hayden who arranged for Lizzo's 2022 performance where the artist played a crystal flute owned by President James Madison — among the Library's troves of artifacts. Before her confirmation in 2016, Hayden spent more than two decades as CEO of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library system and was president of the American Library Association from 2003 to 2004. A graduate of Roosevelt University and the University of Chicago, she is a member of the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. ___
