Latest

Penguin Random House Urges Congress to Reject Republican Book Banning Bill

“The bill creates strong incentives for schools to remove or avoid a wide range of books and materials,” wrote PRH SVP Skip Dye in a letter to lawmakers, adding that the law would also lead to self-censorship, resulting in “further marginalization of vulnerable communities.”

The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: April 10, 2026

Thank you for supporting Words & Money and helping to establish 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, thank you, and we encourage you to please share this newsletter with your

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending April 10, 2026

Among the week's headlines: a 'freedom to read' bill lands in Congress; Alaska's freedom to read bill advances; PEN America launches a program to protect authors; Minnesota's library ebook bill stalls; Tamika Barnes wins the ALA presidency; and check out the 2026 I Love My Librarian Award winners.

Trump Administration Abruptly Ends Its Legal Bid to Shutter the IMLS

While ALA reps this week heralded the end of the litigation, the future of the agency remains uncertain.

Appeals Court Vacates Injunction Blocking Iowa Book Banning Law

In a brief six-page ruling, a three-judge panel of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals held that school officials and politicians have broad discretion over what school libraries can remove from library shelves without violating the First Amendment.

The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: April 3, 2026

Thank you for supporting Words & Money and helping to establish 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, thank you, and we encourage you to please share this newsletter with your

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending April 3, 2026

Among the week's headlines: supporters stand with fired Tennessee librarian Luanne James; the Urban Libraries Council proposes two fixes for the library ebook market; Idaho enacts a new law to give politicians control over library leaders; and two reports on how AI is supercharging book bans.

‘There’s a Cold Wind Blowing Across Our Nation’: At PLA 2026 in Minneapolis, Librarians Hear a Message of Reslience

Some 6,000 librarians were in Minneapolis this week for the 2026 Public Library Association Conference.

In FY 2027 Budget Proposal, Trump Once Again Calls for the Elimination of the IMLS

For a sixth time over his two terms, President Trump has proposed the elimination of the IMLS and with it virtually all federal library funding.

The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: March 27, 2026

Thank you for supporting Words & Money and helping to establish 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, thank you, and we encourage you to please share this newsletter with your

Librarians Say the Library Ebook Market Needs Another Breakthrough Moment. Can Legislation Help Deliver It?

Amid surging demand, budget stress, high prices and unwieldy restrictions, librarians say the digital library market is unsustainable and they are looking to a new wave of proposed legislation to support some fundamental reforms.

The Outcome-Driven Library: Working Together to Inspire Even the Most Reluctant of Readers

"In an era defined by instant access and on-demand content, a three-month wait for a digital title creates the kind of friction that can reduce interest, erode trust in the library, and negatively impact overall reader engagement," writes Hoopla founder Jeff Jankowski.

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending March 27, 2026

The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: March 20, 2026

Thank you for supporting Words & Money and helping to establish 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, thank you, and we encourage you to please share this newsletter with your

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending March 20, 2026

Bankruptcy Filing Offers More Details into Baker & Taylor’s Stunning Collapse

According to court documents, Baker & Taylor has repaid its main creditor in full but still owes approximately $120 million to more than 1,000 remaining creditors, including approximately $68 million to publishers and $33 million to libraries.