Wins and Losses: The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter for the Week Ending May 16, 2025
As one library advocate recently remarked, it's a mile a minute out there. But this week, there were some positive developments for library advocates in a host of
Andrew Richard Albanese
Connecticut Passes Library E-Book Legislation
“The Connecticut bill essentially restores the right to negotiate, so libraries aren’t forced into take-it-or-leave-it digital deals," said Ellen Paul, executive director of the Connecticut Library Consortium.
After Trump Firings, Who Will Lead the Library of Congress? The Copyright Office? It's Complicated
After the shock firings of Carla Hayden and Shira Perlmutter, the future of the Library of Congress and the Copyright Office remains in flux.
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending May 16, 2025
Among the week's headlines: Authors, library groups urge Congress to resist Trump's Library of Congress takeover; Rhode Island advances its Freedom to Read bill; Patmos Library staff quit over board concerns; and IFLA is alarmed by 'fear and intimidation' facing U.S. librarians.
ALA Urges Court to Deny DOJ’s Motion for Reconsideration in IMLS Case
ALA lawyers say the administration remains determined to dismantle the IMLS.
In a Major Win for Libraries, Federal Judge Orders IMLS to Be Restored
In a rebuke, federal judge John J. McConnell has ordered the Trump administration to immediately reverse the mass terminations of grants and staff at IMLS.
Trump Abruptly Fires Top Copyright Officer
The move comes after the Copyright Office released the third and final part of a wide-ranging review critical of the tech industry's approach to AI, but the firing may have more to do with raw politics than policy.
The Empire 'Fires' Back: The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter for the Week Ending May 9, 2025
It was a rollercoaster week for libraries, which began with a solid victory in court, and culminated with the shock firing of Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on the evening
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending May 9, 2025
Among the week's headlines: the Senate votes to kill the FCC's popular WiFi hotspot program; Book Banners lose big in Texas school board elections; Ohio libraries pull a clean sweep at the ballot box; and Library Journal announces its 2025 Movers & Shakers.
Trump Fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Hayden's sudden dismissal "a disgrace" and the latest in the administration's efforts to "ban books, whitewash American history, and turn back the clock.”
Court Extends Temporary Block on IMLS Destruction, Orders Briefing on the DOJ's Bid for Reconsideration
Leon's order follows a status report delivered by the parties in 'ALA v. Sonderling' on May 6, and a DOJ motion asking the judge to dissolve his order in light of a recent appeals court decision in a nearly identical case.
Citing Appeals Court Ruling, DOJ Asks Court to Lift Order Blocking IMLS Destruction
Trump Administration lawyers on May 6 filed a motion asking federal judge Richard Leon to reconsider his order temporarily blocking the dismantling of IMLS.
Another Federal Court Blocks the Trump Administration's Destruction of IMLS
Judge John J. McConnell held that Trump’s March 14 executive order to dismantle the IMLS "ignores the unshakable principles that Congress makes the law and appropriates funds, and the Executive implements the law..."
Trump Budget Proposal Seeks to Eliminate the IMLS
In its May 2 plan, Trump officials outline a draconian $163 billion reduction in discretionary spending, which includes the elimination of the agency tasked by Congress with distributing federal library funding.
When We Fight, We Win: The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter for May 2, 2025
Leading this week's news, a federal judge on May 1 halted the Trump Administration's plan to destroy the IMLS, but the battle remains far from over.
Simon & Schuster, Urano World Publishing Announce Spanish Language Publishing Deal
Under the deal, “a select number” of Spanish language titles will be published in Spain and Latin America by Urano World and its imprints, while in the United States, co-published titles will be published under S&S's Primero Sueño Press imprint.