The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: July 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.
Andrew Richard Albanese
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending July 3, 2026
Among the week's headlines: ALA Council adopts the Library Workers' Bill of Rights; the Supreme Court refuses to let Trump fire the Register of Copyrights; New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte once again vetoes a state book banning bill; Amanda Jones wins again; and what to read this fall.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: June 26, 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.
OverDrive Founder Steve Potash Steps Back; Marc DeBevoise Takes Over as CEO
It's the end of an era at OverDrive. On June 23, the company announced that founder Steve Potash has stepped back from his role as CEO, handing the reins to Marc DeBevoise, who joined the company roughly four months ago as President.
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending June 26, 2026
Among the week's headlines: the ALA Annual Conference kicks off in Chicago; A former ALA leader comes out against library ebook legislation; E-rate is facing an uncertain future after the FCC votes to reassess the program; and the IMLS releases its latest public library stats.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: June 19, 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 June 19, 2026
Among the headlines this week: the 2026 ALA Annual Conference kicks off next week; More response to the Authors Guild's take on digital library lending; a federal judge rebukes Trump's bid to censor signage at national parks; and Arkansans speak out against potential new library restrictions.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: June 12, 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 June 12, 2026
Among the headlines this week: an Authors Guild survey suggests digital lending hurts authors; the House votes to make the Register of Copyrights a presidential appointee; an appeal is heard in a closely watched book banning lawsuit; and Massachusetts passes its freedom-to-read bill.
Rhode Island Passes Its Library Ebook Bill
With the passage, librarians say there is now a palpable sense of momentum building for action in the library ebook marketplace, with Rhode Island the third library ebook bill to pass into law since 2025.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: June 5, 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 June 5, 2026
Among the week's headlines: Congress appears poised to fund the IMLS; James Patterson slams library ebook legislation, as Rhode Island's ebook law advances; the FCC is proposing to 'review' e-rate; and a federal judge rules that Amanda Jones's defamation case against a New Jersey man can proceed.
District of Columbia's Library Ebook Bill Is Signed into Law
The District of Columbia is now the second state or municipality to pass a reworked library ebook law. Meanwhile, a similar bill in Illinois will have to wait until legislators return in the fall, while Rhode Island's effort could head to the floor next week.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: May 29, 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 May 29, 2026
Among the week's headlines: ALA staff members get their union; Knox County officials return Alex Haley's 'Roots' to school libraries; librarians continue to make the case for change in the library ebook market; and New Yorkers push for better library funding.
With a Simple Statement, Have Five Library Organizations Just Called the Publishing Industry’s Bluff on Library Ebooks?
A joint statement released this week by five public library organizations renews calls for the Big Five publishers to negotiate with libraries in the digital library market. Amid surging usage and a spate of library ebook bills, it just might work this time.