For the History Books: Senate Confirms First Black Woman Librarian of Congress
Carla Hayden becomes 14th Librarian in institution's 214-year history.
— -- It's a confirmation vote for the record books -- literally.
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed Carla Hayden to head the Library of Congress.
Hayden will be the 14th Librarian of Congress in the institution's 214-year history. She is also the first woman and first African-American to oversee the nation's largest library.
President Obama nominated Hayden in February and was confirmed by the senate on a 74-18 vote.
Obama hailed the milestone in a tweet late Wednesday night.
Hayden was the longtime leader of Baltimore's Library system. She was formerly the CEO of Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland, and president of the American Library Association from 2003 to 2004.
The previous Librarian of Congress, James Billington, resigned as Librarian of Congress in September after 28 years on the job.
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