About being a librarian in congress. I can remember that because i was surprised, i had been advising and consulting because this was an opportunity for the Library Community to weigh in basically on what would be needed for the library of Congress Going into the next few decades so my name was put forward as a person that i should talk to and that went on for a little while and then i was asked, would you consider being considered for the position yourself and it took me back a little bit and i had to think about what i was currently doing, really publicservice innercity that the state had the Public Library be the state library of baltimore and maryland, this was a very unique situation and i had become a Baltimore Ian and was really working on the issues and i had to think, how can i go from serving the community to serving a country. And what contribution could i make. Why did you say yes . Because when i really thought about the treasures and what is contained in the library of co
Confirmation but for talking about as you done in the past your work and theres just a lot of interest as you know from past hearings in this building about the library of congress especially now that people are going back in an entry of many visitors to the library again. Several senators, we had a dinner with bipartisan dinner last night and a number senators mentioned that they were fans of you and your work, including people from both sides of the aisle, so just putting that out there first. And i think ive mentioned this before. Maybe senator fischer doesnt know but my dream when i was growing up was to be a librarian. Yes, i actually had a duly system set up with the books that i read in a recipe box here but instead we are here. And we are here in fact, to discuss the Largest Library in the world and the oldest federal Cultural Institution in the united states, the library on congress. Two weeks ago the library celebrated its 223rd birthday, and as we know the library holds over
a hundred and seventy million items and it s only had 14 librarians of congress. the 14th is now on your screen carla hayden. dr. hayden, what do you think the patrons presidents madison jefferson and adams would think about the library of congress today? i think that they would be so delighted to see so many people from all over the country that are using the collections that are visiting in dc and three buildings seeing exhibits. getting films on the lawn in the summer and doing all of these things and knowing that the library of congress is still that research arm for members of congress and 24/7. they are supplying information so they would be delighted. is the library of congress available to all us citizens or to anybody in the world? yes, in fact it is the national library, and anyone can. really partake of the riches of the library congress by going through what we call our digital front door our website that has over 61 million items and connects you directly even to
on about books we a delve ino the latest news about the publishing industry with interesting insider interviews with publishing industry experts. we will also give you updates on current nonfiction authors and books, the latest book reviews, and we will talk about the current nonfiction books featured on c-span s booktv. since that s found in 1800, the library of congress has grown toil a budget of $800 million, 3000 staff members thousand staff members, and 170 million items and it is only had 14 librarians of congress. the 14th is now on your screen, and that is dr. carla hayden. dr. hayden, what do you think the patrons president madison, jefferson and adams would think about the library of congress today? i think that they would be so delighted to see so many people from all over the country that are using the collections, they are visiting in d.c. in three buildings, seeing exhibits, getting films on the lawn in the summer and going after doing all of these things,
dollars 3,000 staff members and a hundred and seventy million items and it s only had 14 librarians of congress. the 14th is now on your screen carla hayden. dr. hayden, what do you think the patrons presidents madison jefferson and adams would think about the library of congress today? i think that they would be so delighted to see so many people from all over the country that are using the collections that are visiting in dc and three buildings seeing exhibits. getting films on the lawn in the summer and doing all of these things and knowing that the library of congress is still that research arm for members of congress and 24/7. they are supplying information so they would be delighted. is the library of congress available to all us citizens or to anybody in the world? yes, in fact it is the national library, and anyone can. really partake of the riches of the library congress by going through what we call our digital front door our website that has over 61 million items a