Former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden cheered as she wins Authors Guild honor

NEW YORK (AP) — Former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden received the Champion of Writers Award from the Authors Guild. She spoke at the Guild's annual dinner-gala Monday night. She highlighted libraries as vital bridges between writers and the public. She praised them as havens for free expression amid rising book bans. Hayden was the first woman and Black person to hold her position. She avoided mentioning Trump, who fired her last year. Pulitzer Prize winner Percival Everett and author Amy Tan were also honored. Tan shared a personal story about how a traumatic experience shaped her life.

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