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The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending June 6, 2025

Among the week's headlines: Connecticut Passes a 'Freedom to Read' Law; an Arkansas librarian forced out over book bans sues for defamation; and 'American Libraries' offers a preview of the ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia, set for June 26-30.

Are Library Book Decisions Government Speech? After Controversial Fifth Circuit Decision, a Florida Judge Is Now Set to Weigh In

After a summary judgment hearing, judge Carlos E. Mendoza is likely to be the first judge to weigh in on whether library book decisions are government speech since the Fifth Circuit's May 23 ruling.

Rhode Island Judge Declines to Stay His IMLS Injunction

The Court's decision affords IMLS employees and grantees in 21 plaintiff states a little peace of mind, at least for now.

After Scheduling Order, Dispute Over Register of Copyrights Firing Will Stretch Well into the Summer

Perlmutter had sought an expedited schedule on a motion for summary judgment to mitigate the uncertainty at the Copyright Office. That timeline will now be extended by at least a month.

PEN America Report Explores Florida's 'Parental Rights' Censorship Playbook

“Florida is a warning sign of what this country could become when we let a false narrative about ‘parental rights’ infringe on the wishes of actual parents,” the report concludes.

New Jersey State of Mind: The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter for the Week Ending May 30, 2025

As much of the library world focuses on the legal battles over the Trump Administration's efforts to dismantle the IMLS and to gut the Library of Congress, legislative efforts to seek fair digital terms for libraries have begun to reemerge in a handful of statehouses. In this week&

After Failing to Win a Restraining Order, Former Register of Copyrights Seeks to Fast Track Lawsuit Over Her Firing

Calling her firing "blatantly illegal," former Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter is now seeking to expedite a summary judgment, over the objections of Trump administration lawyers.

New Jersey Introduces Library Ebook Bill

If passed, the New Jersey bill would sound beyond the Garden State, satisfying the so-called “trigger clause” in the recently passed library ebook bill in Connecticut.

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending May 30, 2025

Among the week's headlines: Fallout from the Fifth Circuit's massive book banning decision; Texas moves a step closer to giving school boards control of public school libraries; and Colorado libraries are struggling with ebook costs.

States Oppose Trump Administration's Bid to Stay IMLS Injunction

Citing the potential for further harm, attorneys for 21 plaintiff states are urging judge John G. McConnell not to stay his May 13 injunction pending an appeal by the Trump administration.

A Setback for the Freedom to Read: the Words & Money Weekly Newsletter for the Week Ending May 23, 2025

Apologies for the late delivery on a very busy Friday ahead of the Memorial Day weekend. It's been quite a news day. In this week's Words & Money weekly newsletter, we lead off with breaking news from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending May 23, 2025

Among the week's headlines: Petitions celebrate Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden; ALA welcomes IMLS employees back to work after court order; and Nevada races to pass a bill that would protect librarians.

In a Stunning Reversal, The Fifth Circuit Deals a Blow to the Freedom to Read

In a closely watched book banning case, the court held that library book decisions are 'government speech' and thus immune from First Amendment challenges, setting up a potential high stakes showdown at the Supreme Court.

Register of Copyright Shira Perlmutter Sues to Keep Her Job

Lawyers for Perlmutter argue that Trump lacks the authority to fire the Register of Copyrights, or appoint a replacement.

In Conversation: Connecticut Library Consortium Executive Director Ellen Paul

Words & Money talks with Connecticut Library Consortium executive director Ellen Paul about Connecticut's new library ebook bill, the long and winding road to passage, and what comes next.

D.C. Judge Looks to Delay Decision on IMLS Injunction

Judge Richard J. Leon has proposed extending his temporary restraining order until the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decides how to handle an appeal in a similar case.