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In a Setback for the Freedom to Read, Florida Court Finds 'No First Amendment Right to Receive Information' in Libraries

In an 18-page ruling, judge Allen Winsor stopped short of finding that library book selection is government speech, but agreed that Escambia County officials have unfettered power to ban books they disagree with.

The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: September 26, 2025

Thank you for supporting Words & Money, an independent media venture that aims to properly center libraries in the 21st century reading, writing, and publishing enterprises. If you're already a subscriber, we thank you for your support. And we encourage you to please share this newsletter with your

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending September 26, 2025

Among the week's headlines: incoming ALA executive director Dan Montgomery sits for an interview; the Trump FCC is set to kill two popular WiFi programs; the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is hosting a literacy summit; and ALA announces George Takei as honorary chair of Banned Books Week.

Judge Grants Preliminary Approval to Anthropic Settlement

While there may yet be issues to work out as the claims process begins, authors and industry groups are applauding the deal.

In New Filing, DOJ Defends Trump's Bid to Take Over the Library of Congress, and to Fire the Register of Copyrights

After a recent appeals court decision, Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter is back at work. But in a head-spinning September 22 motion for summary judgment, DOJ lawyers insist that, one way or another, her purported firing was legal.

The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: September 19, 2025

Thank you for supporting Words & Money, an independent media venture that aims to properly center libraries in the 21st century reading and writing enterprise. If you're already a subscriber, we thank you for your support. And we encourage you to please share this newsletter with your friends

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending September 19, 2025

Among the week's headlines: The Trump Administration's censorship efforts are ramping up; Delaware passes a Freedom to Read Law; why an Alabama library is still being denied state funding; and a look at how publishers are approaching AI.

In a Rebuke, Court Strikes Trump's $15 Billion Defamation Complaint

Judge Steven Merryday gave Trump lawyers 28 days to re-file the case, warning that "a complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective."

Internet Archive, Music Labels Settle Copyright Suit

The settlement appears to be the last gasp of a contentious, years-long copyright battle that began with a lawsuit over book scanning in the early days of the pandemic.

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 already a subscriber, we thank you for your support. And we encourage you to please share this newsletter with your

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.

My Mother, Libraries, and Me: A Love Story

Debut author Sam Sussman reflects on his deep love of libraries.

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 already a subscriber, we thank you for your support. And we encourage you to please share this newsletter with your

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.