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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 week, this issue is slightly abbreviated as we wrap up our summer vacation. But we'll be getting up

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 look forward to coming back refreshed and ready for a busy fall, which will include the debut of our podcast

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending August 15, 2025

Among the headlines this week: Rhode Island celebrates its new Freedom to Read Act; EveryLibrary has launched a new advocacy training program; Wyoming librarians express concern over a new 'harmful to minors' bill; and Amanda Jones continues to stand tall for libraries.

Court Wipes Out Florida's ‘Overbroad’ Book Banning Law

In a massive win for the freedom to read, judge Carlos E. Mendoza on August 13 found Florida state law HB 1069’s blanket ban on any materials that describe sexual content in school libraries to be unconstitutional.

Trump Administration Targets the Smithsonian

In an August 12 letter, Trump officials announced a plan to review the venerable institution’s “museums and exhibitions” to ensure “alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism."

The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: August 8, 2025

As we enter the homestretch of summer, we're taking a bit of a break for the next two weeks. We'll be sending slightly abbreviated newsletters, but rest assured we have a host of new features and original reporting ready to roll, and we will be debuting

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending August 8, 2025

Among the week's headlines: Florida schools are prepping for the new school year by banning books; the Library of Congress explains how several sections of the Constitution were removed online; Arkansas fires its state library board; and Illinois enacts a new law to protect librarians.

Fired Register of Copyrights Files Emergency Motion to Keep Her Job as Court Outlines Next Steps

The move comes after a narrow July 30 order in which federal judge Timothy Kelly held that Perlmutter had failed to show that her firing was causing her "irreparable harm."

The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: August 1, 2025

In the news this week, the Independent Publishers Association has become an affiliate of the American Library Association, another step forward in the growing relationship between libraries and indie publishers. A federal judge has declined to reinstate fired register of copyrights Shira Perlmutter, suggesting that the Copyright Office can manage

The Independent Book Publishers Association Becomes an ALA Affiliate

“In today’s complex landscape, coalition-building across the publishing and library communities is more important than ever,” said Andrea Fleck-Nisbet, IBPA CEO, in a statement.

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending August 1, 2025

Among the week's headlines: Michigan librarians advocate for more support; GOP lawmakers in Ohio want to restore vetoed restrictions on LGBTQ+ content in libraries; school librarians address their challenges; and the new ALA executive director sounds an optimistic note about the future.

Fired Register of Copyrights Will Appeal after Court Declines to Reinstate Her

Shira Perlmutter failed to show that "the existence of the Copyright Office is at stake, or that her position will likely be irreparably changed without an injunction," judge Timothy Kelly held in a July 30 order denying a motion to block her May 10 firing.