Robert Newlen

Robert Newlen
Acting Librarian of Congress
Disputed
Assumed office May 8, 2025 Disputed with Todd Blanche[a]
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Carla Hayden
Personal details
Born	Robert Randolph Newlen Washington, D.C., U.S.
Education	Bridgewater College (BA) American University (MA) Catholic University (MLS)
Occupation	Librarian

Robert Randolph Newlen is an American librarian who, as principal deputy librarian of the United States Library of Congress, became the acting librarian of Congress following the dismissal of Carla Hayden in May 2025 by the Trump administration. In 2026 he was awarded American Library Association Honorary Membership, the Association's highest honor.^[2]

Early life and education

Robert Randolph Newlen^[3] was born at the now-demolished Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C. and is a third-generation D.C. native. He is a graduate of Bridgewater College, from which he received a bachelor of arts in political science and French in 1975. In 1979, he received a master of arts in art history from American University, focusing on nineteenth-century and twentieth-century paintings.^[4][5] Newlen also holds a Master of Library Science from the Catholic University of America.^[6][5]

Career

A few months after graduating from Bridgewater College, Newlen began working at the Library of Congress in November 1975, specifically for the Congressional Research Service (CRS).^[4][5] He was employed as a clerk and typist, delivering letters across the Thomas Jefferson Building.^[5]

During his time at the Library of Congress, Newlen has served in various leadership positions. These have included supervisory team leader of the Senate Reference Center; head of the CRS Legislative Relations Office; and head of the Inquiry Unit. He also served as assistant law librarian for Collections, Outreach & Services; a fundraiser for and coordinator of the “Magna Carta: Muse and Mentor” exhibit; Library of Congress chief of staff; and deputy Librarian of Congress.^[6] In 2017, Newlen retired as deputy Librarian of Congress.^[6]

Following his 2017 retirement from the Library of Congress, Newlen was executive director and director of strategic initiatives for The Dwight D. Opperman Foundation.^[7]

In 2023, the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, announced that she had appointed Newlen as the interim director of the Congressional Research Service following the resignation of the CRS director, Mary Mazanec.^[8] Newlen was appointed the Principal Deputy Librarian of Congress on March 29, 2025.^[9][3]

Librarian of Congress dispute

On May 8, 2025, Carla Hayden was abruptly fired by President Donald Trump through an email sent to Hayden.^[10] In a separate email, Newlen proclaimed that he would serve as the acting librarian of Congress "until further instruction".^[11] On May 12, four days after Hayden's dismissal, Trump appointed Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, as the acting librarian of Congress. Newlen did not immediately recognize Blanche's appointment.^[3] Another official of the library who was dismissed shortly after Hayden, Shira Perlmutter has sued to dispute the legality of her dismissal,^[12] as her position as Register of Copyrights is appointed by, and responsible to, the Librarian of Congress. Newlen was also appointed by Hayden.

American Library Association

Newlen served for multiple terms on Council of the American Library Association including the Executive Board. He was also an Endowment Trustee.

Newlen ran for president of the American Library Association for the 2004–2005 term.^[13]

He was he was awarded the Association's ALA Medal of Excellence in 2016 for his "creative leadership of high order, particularly in library management."^[6]

In 2021, he was honored with the Joseph W. Lippincott Award for distinguished service to the profession of librarianship.

Notes

1. Since Hayden's dismissal by Donald Trump, the role of acting librarian has been disputed between the principal deputy, Newlen, and Trump's named appointee, Todd Blanche.^[1]

References

1. Gerstein, Josh; Tully-McManus, Katherine (May 12, 2025). "The Leadership of the Library of Congress Is in Apparent Dispute". Politico. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
2. "American Library Association names Robert R. Newlen Honorary Member". American Library Association. March 18, 2026. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
3. Tully-McManus, Katherine; Carney, Jordain; Cheney, Kyle (May 12, 2025). "Hill leaders question Trump's attempted Library of Congress takeover". Politico. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
4. Shifflett, Olivia. "Robert Newlen '75 Uses Art as Inspiration for Life". Bridgewater College. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
5. Newlen, Robert (June 16, 2011). "An Interview with Robert Newlen, Assistant Law Librarian for Collections, Outreach, and Services" (Interview). Interviewed by Weber, Andrew. Library of Congress. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
6. Ryan, Bill (June 9, 2023). "Librarian of Congress Appoints Robert R. Newlen as Interim Director of the Congressional Research Service". Librarian of Congress. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
7. "Librarian of Congress Appoints Robert R. Newlen as Interim Director of the Congressional Research Service". Library of Congress Newsroom. Library of Congress. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
8. Papp, Justin (June 9, 2023). "Former deputy librarian of Congress named interim CRS director". Roll Call. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
9. "Robert Randolph Newlen". Library of Congress. Library of Congress. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
10. Italie, Hillel, Firing, hiring and a mystery: The 225-year-old Library of Congress has never had a moment like this, The Associated Press, May 15, 2025
11. Kim, Seung Min; Miller, Zeke; Mascaro, Lisa (May 9, 2025). "President Trump fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden". Associated Press. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
12. Smith, Dylan, Fired Copyright Office Head Shira Perlmutter Sues Trump Administration Over ‘Blatantly Unlawful’ Dismissal, Digital Music News, May 23, 2025
13. "El Paso librarian to lead national group". El Paso Times. El Paso, Texas. May 2, 2003. p. 11. Retrieved May 14, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.