Mellon Foundation Appoints Carla Hayden as Senior Fellow

The Mellon Foundation, the nation’s largest philanthropic supporter of the arts, has announced the appointment of Dr. Carla Hayden as a senior fellow. As part of the fellowship, the former Librarian of Congress will pursue scholarship, writing, and research projects while also serving as a strategic partner and counsel, working in collaboration with Foundation leadership and staff, advising on opportunities to support and advance libraries, archives, and other organizations in the public knowledge ecosystem.

Hayden brings nearly five decades of leadership in library science and public service, having “modernized and democratized access to the world’s largest library” during her tenure as Librarian of Congress from 2016 and 2025. Prior to her service as the Librarian of Congress, Hayden served for 23 years as CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library system in Baltimore.

Hayden’s year-long appointment comes on the heels of her dismissal from the Library of Congress by the Trump Administration in May.

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