Despite Trump Efforts, Congress Looks to Fund the IMLS
With a budget deadline looming, Congress appears poised to fund the IMLS in fiscal year 2026, even as the Trump administration seeks to shutter the agency by executive order.
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The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending September 5, 2025
Among the week's headlines: Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch resists the Trump administration's bid to control the institution's programs and exhibits; librarians take on AI books; the IMLS releases stats from its 2023 Public Library Survey; and a great talk with Oxford librarian Richard Ovenden.
The Words & Money Weekly Newsletter: August 29, 2025
Happy Labor Day weekend! Alas, the end of summer is upon us, and we're looking forward to fall with several new features and reports in the coming weeks. We remain grateful for your support and feedback, and we once again ask for your help spreading the word about
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending August 29, 2025
Among the week's headlines: Penguin Random House voices its commitment to defending the freedom to read; voters in Alabama rebuke would-be book banners; the American Library Project visits Oregon; and Geraldine Brooks wins the Library of Congress's Prize for American Fiction.
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."