Former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Receives Authors Guild Award

Carla Hayden, who served as Librarian of Congress from 2016 to 2025, received the Champion of Writers Award from the Authors Guild on Monday. The event took place at Cipriani Wall Street and drew hundreds of attendees from the literary community. Hayden, 73, has worked in libraries for much of her adult life.

Nearly a year ago, Hayden was fired from her position as Librarian of Congress. She was the first woman and first Black person appointed to the role. During her remarks, she did not mention her departure.

described libraries as places where storytelling meets opportunity. She stated that libraries connect people to ideas, knowledge, and one another.

“Libraries are where a child discovers a first favorite book, where a new American finds language and belonging and where research uncovers hidden history, and where communities see themselves in the pages of literature." Hayden also praised libraries as engines of accessibility and inclusion, serving as havens for free expression during a time of record-high book bans. Percival Everett, 69, a prolific author and academic, received the Baldacci Award for Literary Activism. His novel "James" won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. Everett joked that receiving an honor for activism was like being called an athletic chess player. He referred to a potential future where the Library of Congress holds only works by Ayn Rand and other conservative authors, stating, "That is where we are, and I can't tell you how sad I am about this." Amy Tan, 74, received an award for Distinguished Service to the Literary Community. She is the author of "The Joy Luck Club," "The Kitchen God's Wife," and "The Bonesetter's Daughter." Tan has supported emerging writers and helped young people with treatment for Lyme disease, which she has experienced for decades.”

Author David Baldacci denounced artificial intelligence, noting lawsuits filed by writers against companies including Microsoft and OpenAI. The suits allege that writers' work was used without permission for generative AI programs. Baldacci is among the plaintiffs in such legal actions. His name is attached to the award given to Everett.