American Library Association Shares Book Ban Data, List of ‘Most Challenged’ Titles of 2025
U.S. librarians tracked 4,235 unique book challenges in 2025, nearly matching the record of 4,240 recorded in 2023, and almost double last year’s count.
Andrew Richard Albanese
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: April 17, 2026
Thank you for supporting Words & Money and helping to establish an independent media venture that aims to properly center libraries in the 21st century reading, writing, and publishing enterprises.
The Queue: Library News and Views for the Week Ending April 17, 2026
Among the headlines this week: National Library Week kicks off on Sunday; a new bill in Rhode Island aims to boost school librarians; an Alabama bill that would have politicized library boards is dead; and according to Pew, print still rules, but digital reading is on the rise.
Penguin Random House Urges Congress to Reject Republican Book Banning Bill
“The bill creates strong incentives for schools to remove or avoid a wide range of books and materials,” wrote PRH SVP Skip Dye in a letter to lawmakers, adding that the law would also lead to self-censorship, resulting in “further marginalization of vulnerable communities.”
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: April 10, 2026
Thank you for supporting Words & Money and helping to establish an independent media venture that aims to properly center libraries in the 21st century reading, writing, and publishing enterprises.
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending April 10, 2026
Among the week's headlines: a 'freedom to read' bill lands in Congress; Alaska's freedom to read bill advances; PEN America launches a program to protect authors; Minnesota's library ebook bill stalls; Tamika Barnes wins the ALA presidency; and check out the 2026 I Love My Librarian Award winners.
Trump Administration Abruptly Ends Its Legal Bid to Shutter the IMLS
While ALA reps this week heralded the end of the litigation, the future of the agency remains uncertain.
Appeals Court Vacates Injunction Blocking Iowa Book Banning Law
In a brief six-page ruling, a three-judge panel of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals held that school officials and politicians have broad discretion over what school libraries can remove from library shelves without violating the First Amendment.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: April 3, 2026
Thank you for supporting Words & Money and helping to establish an independent media venture that aims to properly center libraries in the 21st century reading, writing, and publishing enterprises.
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending April 3, 2026
Among the week's headlines: supporters stand with fired Tennessee librarian Luanne James; the Urban Libraries Council proposes two fixes for the library ebook market; Idaho enacts a new law to give politicians control over library leaders; and two reports on how AI is supercharging book bans.
‘There’s a Cold Wind Blowing Across Our Nation’: At PLA 2026 in Minneapolis, Librarians Hear a Message of Reslience
Some 6,000 librarians were in Minneapolis this week for the 2026 Public Library Association Conference.
In FY 2027 Budget Proposal, Trump Once Again Calls for the Elimination of the IMLS
For a sixth time over his two terms, President Trump has proposed the elimination of the IMLS and with it virtually all federal library funding.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: March 27, 2026
Thank you for supporting Words & Money and helping to establish an independent media venture that aims to properly center libraries in the 21st century reading, writing, and publishing enterprises.
Librarians Say the Library Ebook Market Needs Another Breakthrough Moment. Can Legislation Help Deliver It?
Amid surging demand, budget stress, high prices and unwieldy restrictions, librarians say the digital library market is unsustainable and they are looking to a new wave of proposed legislation to support some fundamental reforms.
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending March 27, 2026
Among the week's headlines: The 2026 PLA Conference is upon us; Illinois advances a library ebook bill; several worrisome library bills in Iowa die in committee; a Tennessee librarian could soon learn her fate for refusing an order to ban books; and SLJ announces its School Librarian of the Year.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: March 20, 2026
Thank you for supporting Words & Money and helping to establish an independent media venture that aims to properly center libraries in the 21st century reading, writing, and publishing enterprises.