OverDrive Says Digital Checkouts Topped 820 Million in 2025
In a release, OverDrive reps also reported that more than 200 library systems, consortia, and school libraries surpassed the 'one million digital checkouts' milestone for the year.
Andrew Richard Albanese
Appeals Court Revives Challenge to Idaho Book Banning Law
"Plaintiffs have shown a likelihood of success on the merits because H.B. 710’s context clause is overbroad on its face," the appeals court held, reversing a lower court decision.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: January 23, 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 January 23, 2026
Among the headlines this week: The IMLS 'Freedom Trucks' hit the road; ALA realigns its Office for Intellectual Freedom; PEN America calls out two new book banning bills in Florida; and 'Book Riot' looks at how librarians are coping with the growing pressures of the job.
On Eve of Hearing, Appeal in Key Colorado Book Ban Case is Suddenly Abandoned
While the abandoned appeal stands as a win for freedom to read advocates, the question remains: why?
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: January 16, 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 Digital Library Market Has Issues. Hoopla Wants to Talk About Them.
With its podcast, The Straight Download, Hoopla is leaning into some of the uncomfortable marketplace conversations in the digital library world.
Publishers Move to Join Copyright Lawsuit Over Google’s Gemini AI Product
The case, 'In Re Google Generative AI Copyright Litigation,' was first filed in 2023 by a group of illustrators and writers, and is currently before Judge Eumi K. Lee in the Northern District of California.
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending January 16, 2026
Among the week's headlines: an appeals court hears a challenge to Iowa's S.F. 496 for a second time; Alabama denies funding to a library over its refusal to censor; more on D.C.'s library ebook bill; and a former ALA exec offers a forward-looking view for library policymakers after a rough 2025.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: January 9, 2026
Thank you for supporting Words & Money and helping us 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 January 9, 2026
Among the headlines this week: A library ebook bill in D.C. elicits a sharp response from OverDrive; 'Library Journal' announces its 2026 Librarian of the Year; Michigan mourns its state librarian; New Hampshire lawmakers try again to ban books; New Mexico introduces a freedom to read law, and more…
Vonnegut Estate, ACLU Sue to Strike Down ‘Unconstitutional’ Utah Book Banning Law
A coalition of plaintiffs, including two unnamed high school students, argue that portions of HB29, Utah's Sensitive Material Review Law, are unconstitutionally overbroad in violation of the First Amendment.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: January 2, 2026
Happy New Year! We open our first newsletter of 2026 with a heartfelt thank you for your readership and support in 2025. Since sending our first newsletter on April 25,
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending January 2, 2026
Among the headlines this week: a librarian's take on the race to make digital books available to AI, but not readers; 'American Libraries' shares its year in review; a pre-filed bill in Alabama has library advocates concerned; and a look back at Dolly Parton's Imagination Library over the years.
The Top 10 Library Stories of 2025
Words & Money looks back at some of the stories that captivated the library and publishing worlds in 2025—and what they portend for 2026.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: December 29, 2025
Happy New Year! We begin our last newsletter of 2025 with a heartfelt thank you for your readership and support. Since sending our first newsletter on April 25, we'