On May 12, 2025, President Donald Trump appointed Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, his former personal lawyer, as acting Librarian of Congress, following the abrupt firing of Carla Hayden. This move triggered a confrontation at the Library of Congress, a legislative branch agency. Two Justice Department officials, Brian Nieves (named acting deputy librarian) and Paul Perkins (named acting register of copyrights), were denied entry to the library's James Madison Memorial Building by staff, who insisted on congressional approval for the appointments.
The standoff, which occurred around 9 a.m., highlighted tensions over executive authority, as staff recognized Robert Newlen as acting librarian. The incident fueled debates about separation of powers, with Democrats criticizing Trump's actions as an overreach, potentially linked to influencing copyright policies or accessing sensitive congressional data. The situation remained unresolved, with Congress engaging the White House for clarification. (citation: "Trump Installs Top Justice Dept. Official at Library of Congress, Prompting a Standoff" (The New York Times, May 12, 2025)
Robert Newlen and the American Library Association
Robert Newlen has been honored by the American Library Association. After retirement from the Library of Congress he returned as Interim Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Source: Librarian of Congress Appoints Robert R. Newlen as Interim Director of the Congressional Research Service.
2021. Joseph W. Lippincott Award
2016. ALA Medal of Excellence (formerly Dewey Medal).
ALA Press Release for Robert Newlen upon receiving 2021 Lippincott Award
CHICAGO - Robert Randolph Newlen is the recipient of the 2021 Joseph W. Lippincott Award. This award is sponsored by Joseph W. Lippincott III and presented by the American Library Association (ALA) for distinguished service in the profession of librarianship.
The Jury for the 2021 Joseph W. Lippincott Award is delighted to honor Newlen for his many accomplishments during a long, varied and distinguished career at the Library of Congress.
He retired from his position as deputy librarian of Congress after 43 years of service. He currently serves as the executive director of the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation.
Among the achievements specifically noted by the Lippincott Jury and many colleagues who wrote in support of this award are his enduring, varied, and effective service to the ALA, and thus to the entire American library profession. He has been tireless as a role model and mentor for countless colleagues, particularly new professionals. His commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion within both our association and our profession at large, and his long-term leadership and commitment to keeping the ALA financially healthy through service as an ALA Endowment Trustee and member of the Philanthropy Advisory Group, resulted in inestimable and significant contributions.
Numerous colleagues wrote in support of his selection for this high honor, overwhelmingly describing him as a "shining example," with "immeasurable impact," who "exhibits all the traits of distinguished service." One colleague wrote, "Robert's advice is candid but gently delivered, wise but never patronizing, without political or personal agenda, from a place of deep and sincere connection that few people exhibit." Another wrote, "Robert's commitment to me and to other librarians of color to become involved in the ALA governance and leadership is…a tangible example of his dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion." Taken together, these achievements and traits demonstrate exemplary "distinguished service to the profession of librarianship" that the Lippincott Award was established to honor.
ALA Press Release for Robert Newlen upon receiving 2016 ALA Medal of Excellence Award Formerly Melvil Dewey Medal)
CHICAGO - Robert R. Newlen, chief of staff at the Library of Congress, has been awarded the 2016 Melvil Dewey Medal. This annual award, presented by the American Library Association (ALA) and sponsored by OCLC, recognizes "creative leadership of high order, particularly in those fields in which Melvil Dewey was actively interested: library management, library training, cataloging and classification, and the tools and techniques of librarianship."
"Mr. Newlen has had a long and impressive career at the Library of Congress, evidenced by his recent appointment to the position of chief of staff," said Ben Hunter, chair of the Dewey Medal jury. "His influence on the profession as a whole has been enormous. As one of his nominators stated, his 'accomplishments are legion and legendary,' due in part to how he has 'helped influence the careers of countless co-workers and other practitioners.'"
Among the achievements noted by the Dewey Medal jury and the colleagues who wrote in support of this award are Newlen's long and impressive career at the Library of Congress, including positions at the Congressional Research Office, the Law Library of Congress, and now his appointment as chief of staff; his crucial role in the Library of Congress' "Magna Carta: Muse and Mentor" exhibition; his service to the American Library Association as a member of ALA Council, Executive Board, and as an Endowment Trustee; and his work in mentoring new librarians through his book Resume Writing And Interviewing Techniques That Work!: A How-to-do-it Manual for Librarians, his presentations, and his continuing role as an inspirational figure to new professionals.
Robert R. Newlen to serve as ALA Endowment Trustee
CHICAGO - Robert R. Newlen, head of the Legislative Relations Office at the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Library of Congress, has been elected to serve another term as an American Library Association (ALA) Endowment Trustee. The ALA Executive Board took the action during the ALA 2004 Fall Meeting, held October 23 - 24, 2004 in Chicago.
Newlen's new three-year term officially will begin at the conclusion of the 2005 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago in June. It will end at the conclusion of the 2008 ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif.
During his first term he has played an integral role in the development of the Long-Term Investment (Endowment) Fund strategic growth plan, as well as the pending purchase of the Washington Office property. He currently serves as a member of the ALA Scholarship Task Force. Newlen also is active in the District of Columbia Library Association (DCLA), where he served as a director from 1991-1993.
He has been an active member of the Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA), one of ALA's 11 divisions, as well as of the New Members Round Table (NMRT) of ALA. He also has held a variety of other leadership positions within ALA, including serving on the ALA Executive Board from 1996-2000 and as a chapter councilor representing the District of Columbia Library Association from 1991-1996.
Newlen holds a MSLS degree from Catholic University of America and a masters of arts from the American University in Washington.
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Kathleen de la Peña McCook
Distinguished University Professor
School of Information
University of South Florida
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