Roy Blunt: “the library of Congress is at a critical juncture. We seldom talk about the Library because there have only been 13…”

“the library of Congress is at a critical juncture. We seldom talk about the Library because there have only been 13 Librarians who have served in the Library of Congress in the entire history of the Library, dating back to the starting of the Federal Government here in Washington. It is an important time for the Library to have a chance to really focus on the technologies available to us today. I am the chairman of the Rules Committee, and the ranking Democrat on that committee, Senator Schumer, and I proposed legislation earlier in the year that would set a limit--for the first time--for the Library of Congress. This nomination is the first nomination for a Librarian to have a term limit. That 10-year term will replace what was previously a lifetime appointment. It is a critically important 10 years for the Library. Congress unanimously agreed to make this change, and then the nomination of Dr. Carla Hayden was received by the Rules Committee at the end of February this year. Since that time, the committee has thoroughly vetted Dr. Hayden. We reviewed her qualifications, writings, experience, and in particular, her role in leading the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore for the past 23 years. She oversaw the expansion and modernization of the library and how it could be made more available to people. This committee spent more time reviewing this nomination than any previous nomination for this position.…”