The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: September 12, 2025
Thank you for supporting Words & Money, a new independent media venture that aims to properly center libraries in the 21st century reading and writing enterprise. If you're
Andrew Richard Albanese
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending September 12, 2025
Among the week's headlines: the legal battle over the IMLS continues, with good news from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; Baker & Taylor has been acquired; more bad news on the state of reading in America; and the acclaimed documentary, The Librarians, is getting a wide release.
Appeals Court Blocks the Trump Administration's Firing of Top Copyright Officer
In a 2-1 decision, a federal appeals court ruled that judge Timothy Kelly erred in denying Shira Perlmutter’s bid for a preliminary injunction, and enjoined Trump administration officials from interfering with her service as Register of Copyrights, pending a further order of the court.
In a Surprise Setback, Judge Declines to Grant Preliminary Approval of Anthropic Copyright Settlement
At a September 8 hearing, judge William Alsup said the settlement agreement was “nowhere close to complete” and ordered the parties to cure several deficiencies by September 22.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: September 5, 2025
Thank you for supporting Words & Money, a new independent media venture that aims to properly center libraries in the 21st century reading and writing enterprise. If you're
Anthropic, Authors Unveil Terms of $1.5 Billion Deal to Settle Piracy Claims
If the settlement is approved, an undisclosed number of authors of some 500,000 pirated works will receive roughly $3,000 per work, making the settlement potentially the largest copyright award in history.
Despite Trump Efforts, Congress Looks to Fund the IMLS
With a budget deadline looming, Congress appears poised to fund the IMLS in fiscal year 2026, even as the Trump administration seeks to shutter the agency by executive order.
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending September 5, 2025
Among the week's headlines: Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch resists the Trump administration's bid to control the institution's programs and exhibits; librarians take on AI books; the IMLS releases stats from its 2023 Public Library Survey; and a great talk with Oxford librarian Richard Ovenden.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: August 29, 2025
Happy Labor Day weekend! Alas, the end of summer is upon us, and we're looking forward to fall with several new features and reports in the coming weeks.
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending August 29, 2025
Among the week's headlines: Penguin Random House voices its commitment to defending the freedom to read; voters in Alabama rebuke would-be book banners; the American Library Project visits Oregon; and Geraldine Brooks wins the Library of Congress's Prize for American Fiction.
Anthropic, Authors Strike Tentative Settlement Deal in AI Copyright Suit. But Will It Be Approved?
The deal looms as a potential milestone in the development of AI. But with tensions running hot between authors and the tech industry, lawyers say that getting a final deal approved may prove challenging.
States Move for Summary Judgment in IMLS Lawsuit
In an August 22 motion, a coalition of states are seeking to make Judge John J. McConnell’s May 6 preliminary injunction permanent. “There is no genuine issue as to any of the material facts," the filing states, adding that the Constitution "does not allow the President to shutter agencies himself.”
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: August 22, 2025
It's a long travel day for us today, but the Wifi gods have been kind and we're able to send a newsletter. As we noted last
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending August 22, 2025
Florida governor Ron DeSantis vows to appeal a legal decision over book bans in Florida schools; a new study charts a worrying decline in pleasure reading; Trump escalates his attacks on the Smithsonian; and IFLA holds its global conference in Kazakhstan.
Judge Denies Fired Register of Copyrights' Longshot Bid to Keep Her Job
The decision is a major blow to Shira Perlmutter's bid for a swift reinstatement and leaves the leadership of the Copyright Office in limbo.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: August 15, 2025
As we ease into the homestretch of summer, Words & Money will be on vacation next week. We'll still send a newsletter, though perhaps slightly abbreviated. And we