The Andrew Mellon Foundation announced on Monday, July 7 that Dr. Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress will join the philanthropic organization in the role of Senior Fellow. According to the foundation, the former public servant is bringing nearly five decades of leadership in libraries and public service.

As part of her fellowship, Dr. Hayden will serve as strategic counsel working in an effort to advance libraries, archives, and the wider public knowledge ecosystem. Dr. Hayden will also will pursue scholarship and research projects.

“At a time when equitable access to information and the free exchange of ideas face significant challenges, I am honored to join the Mellon Foundation as a senior fellow,” says Dr. Hayden.

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“Together, we will work to strengthen the public knowledge ecosystem and ensure that the transformative power of information remains accessible to all.”

Highly respected and even deemed a wonder woman, Dr. Hayden, a champion for archives and scholarship, continues to work for the advancement of our public knowledge ecosystem.

According to AP News, the Mellon foundation has been a supporter of scholarships for librarians of color, increasing adult literacy, and American Library Association’s efforts to counter book bans. 

In welcoming Dr. Hayden Mellon President Elizabeth Alexander shared that she is  “a leader with an unshakable regard for the public good of the American people,” during such a “crucial time.” Libraries and other institutions that provide public knowledge are seeing  “historic challenges and transformative advances,” according to Mellon, these include the use of artificial intelligence, an uptick in the use of digital technologies, as well as federal funding withdrawals and censorship efforts.