Senate Confirms New Librarian of Congress

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed Carla D. Hayden as the 14th librarian of Congress by a vote of 74 to 18. Hayden, formerly the CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, is the first woman and first African-American to hold the position. President Obama nominated Hayden back in February, but her confirmation vote stalled in the Senate for several weeks as conservative groups criticized her opposition to the Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000 and the USA Patriot Act of 2001. Hayden replaces James H. Billington, who resigned on Jan. 1, and will serve a 10-year term.