Joint Statement by the German library associations
On May 9, 2025, Dr. Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress, was dismissed by U.S. President Donald Trump. He cited allegedly "inappropriate books" at the Library of Congress and Hayden's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Previously, the conservative American Accountability Foundation had called for Hayden's resignation.
The German library associations, namely Bibliothek & Information Deutschland e.V. – BID (Library and Information in Germany) and its member associations, the Berufsverband Information Bibliothek e.V. – BIB (Association of Information and Library Professionals), the Deutscher Bibliotheksverband e.V. – dbv (German Library Association) and the VDB – Verein Deutscher Bibliothekarinnen und Bibliothekare e.V. (Association of German Librarians) strongly condemn the dismissal of Carla Hayden.
Dr. Sabine Homilius, President of BID, commented: "This termination is a direct attack on the independence of the Library of Congress and the professionalism of library work. Libraries play a central role in ensuring free access to information and media and in enabling participation in social decision-making processes. They are therefore central institutions of functioning democracies. The attack on individuals and infrastructure in the library system is an attack on democracies themselves. Our solidarity and support goes out to U.S. libraries and associations."
With great concern, the German library associations are observing how individuals and institutions in the library sector are being attacked and dismissed, and how library institutions are being put under pressure under the current U.S. administration. Following Hayden's dismissal, Shira Perlmutter, as the Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office, a division of the Library of Congress, was also dismissed on May 10.
In March 2025, the U.S. President had already signed an executive order intended to eliminate several federal agencies, including the American Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). IMLS is an independent federal agency that provides funding, among other things, to libraries, archives, and museums of all kinds in all U.S. states.
The American Library Association (ALA) actively supports the independent work of libraries in the United States. The ALA issued a statement regarding Hayden's dismissal.
BID
Bibliothek und Information Deutschland (BID) e.V. (Library and Information in Germany – Federal Union of German Library Associations) is the umbrella organization of all institutional and personal members‘ associations of German librarianship. BID represents the joint interests of its members at national and European level, and on international committees.
https://bideutschland.de