Register of Copyrights Search 'Suspended' Amid Legislation, Hayden Confirms
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden confirmed to the House Administration Committee Thursday that she has “suspended” the process of hiring a permanent register of copyrights to replace ousted Register Maria Pallante “while we wait for Congress” to consider next steps…
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on the House-passed Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act (HR-1695). The Senate is evaluating its version (S-1010). Associate Register Karyn Temple Claggett has been acting register since Hayden removed Pallante in October (see 1610210061 and 1610240052). The LOC has been “working directly with Congress on the register position” and is ensuring Claggett feels empowered to sustain CO “momentum” in participating in LOC IT modernization, Hayden said. She suspended the search process amid negotiations with members of Congress that intensified when Senate Rules Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala., threatened to attach a rider to the now-passed FY 2017 federal spending bill that would have barred Hayden from hiring a new register before Sept. 30 (see 1705020057). Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., was pleased consideration of HR-1695/S-1010 didn't hamper CO IT modernization. Lofgren views the legislation as a “mistake” (see 1704260062), but “most of the bills we send to the Senate die there.” During the hearing on LOC's work to meet recommendations included in a critical 2015 GAO report on library IT program failings, she didn't resurrect earlier criticisms of Pallante's handling of IT (see 1703290066 and 1704060064). Hayden, LOC Chief Information Officer Bud Barton and LOC Inspector General Kurt Hyde said the library is implementing GAO recommendations. LOC met five recommendations and is on track to implement 22 of the remaining 26 this year, Barton said.