Oldenlame t1_j28iutx wrote on December 30, 2022 at 12:24 PM

Reply to comment by bigwangbowski in TIL of the US Librarian of Congress. Appointed by the President and serving a term of ten years, they are the head of the Library of Congress with a broad range of responsibilities. Incumbent Carla Hayden appointed in 2016, is both the first African American and woman to hold the office. by Guiano

David Mao was acting Librarian of Congress filling in after the retirement of James H. Billington until a new Librarian could be appointed. Securing the historic works of the library is an important task that cannot wait on bureaucracy. Contained within the library are many documents from the founding of the nation. Protecting them is as much a calling as a job.

bigwangbowski t1_j28jsi3 wrote on December 30, 2022 at 12:34 PM

David Mao was the deputy librarian under Billington and from initial appearances, looked like he was on track to become librarian. My guess is that he wanted a job that was more law-focused as reflected by his experience and training as well as what he moved on to.