Librarian of Congress

Librarian of Congress
Seal of the Library of Congress
Flag of the Library of Congress
Incumbent
Carla Hayden
since September 14, 2016
Library of Congress
AppointerThe president
with Senate advice and consent
Term lengthTen years
Inaugural holderJohn J. Beckley
Formation1800
DeputyDeputy Librarian of Congress
SalaryUS$203,700
Level II of the Executive Schedule[1]
Websiteloc.gov/librarianoffice/

The librarian of Congress is the head of the Library of Congress, appointed by the president of the United States with the advice and consent of the United States Senate,[2] for a term of ten years.[3] The librarian of Congress also appoints and oversees the Register of Copyrights of the U.S. Copyright Office and has broad responsibilities around copyright, extending to electronic resources and fair use provisions outlined in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The librarian determines whether particular works are subject to DMCA prohibitions regarding technological access protection.[4][5] In addition, the librarian appoints the U.S. poet laureate and awards the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

On July 13, 2016, the US Senate confirmed President Barack Obama's nomination of Carla Hayden as the librarian,[6] and she was sworn in on September 14, 2016.

  1. ^ "US Code, Title 2, Chapter 5, Section 136a–2: Librarian of Congress and Deputy Librarian of Congress; compensation". Cornell University: Legal Information Institute. 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  2. ^ "US Code, Title 2, Chapter 5, Section 136-1 – Appointment and term of service of Librarian of Congress". Cornell University: Legal Information Institute. November 5, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  3. ^ Roy, Blunt (November 5, 2015). "S.2162 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015". congress.gov. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  4. ^ "US Code, Title 17, Chapter 12, Section 1201 - Circumvention of copyright protection systems". Cornell University: Legal Information Institute. 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  5. ^ "Section 1201: Exemptions to Prohibition Against Circumvention of Technological Measures Protecting Copyrighted Works". U.S. Copyright Office. 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  6. ^ Peggy McGlone (July 13, 2016). "Carla Hayden confirmed as 14th librarian of Congress". The Washington Post.