In The News

Reed, Grijalva Reintroduce Federal 'Right to Read' Act

The lawmakers said the legislation would support "evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked and staffed school libraries, family literacy programs, a wide range of reading materials, and the freedom to choose what to read."

IMLS Says It Will Reinstate All Terminated Grants

The move comes after a federal judge in Rhode Island permanently blocked the Trump administration's efforts to shut down the agency via executive order.

In ALA Case, DOJ Continues the Fight to Dismantle the IMLS

In a parallel lawsuit filed by the American Library Association in Washington D.C., DOJ lawyers this week moved for summary judgment using the same arguments rejected last week by a federal judge in Rhode Island.

Publishers, Freedom to Read Advocates Sound Alarm on Tennessee Plan to Review Library Collections

Critics say the state's sweeping plan to audit library collections for appropriateness has created "widespread confusion, fear, and operational disruption across the state’s public libraries."

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending November 21, 2025

Among the week's headlines: a long-awaited legal victory for the freedom to read in Missouri; Alabama bans books with trans themes from Public library youth sections; a new report in Georgia explores the economic value of public libraries; and a library ebook bill advances in Massachusetts.

In a Major Victory, Rhode Island Judge Permanently Blocks Trump's Bid to Shutter the IMLS

In a November 21 summary judgment ruling, judge John J. McConnell held that the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the IMLS and several other federal agencies via executive order was both illegal and unconstitutional.

OverDrive Sues OpenAI For Sora Trademark Infringement

"There exists a certain, grave risk of reputational harm to OverDrive if the public perceives an association between OverDrive and OpenAI," OverDrive lawyers argue in the suit.

The ALA's Lawsuit to Save the IMLS Set to Extend Into 2026

A proposed new briefing schedule would have key filing deadlines in the case extended to the end of December, reflecting a nearly two-month delay from the government shutdown.

Supreme Court Set to Decide Whether to Hear Key Texas Book Banning Case

The petition to the high court comes after the Fifth Circuit, in a shocking decision delivered in May, held there was no First Amendment right to receive information in libraries.

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending November 14, 2025

Among the week's headlines: a moral panic over library books in Tennessee; the Library of Congress is spared a massive budget cut; and a battle over the ALA continues in one Wyoming community.

‘An Inexcusable Mess’: In Supreme Court Brief, Register of Copyrights Shreds Trump Administration’s Bid to Fire Her

In a fiery brief, lawyers for Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter urged the Supreme Court not to stay a September appeals court decision barring the Trump Administration from interfering with her job.

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending November 7, 2025

Among the week's headlines: Libraries win at the ballot box; the Chicago Public Library is facing a 50% cut to its collections budget; Ohio Republicans want to let local officials block library ballot measures; more fallout from Baker & Taylor's collapse; and Amanda Jones gets an apology.

Tamika Barnes, Becky Calzada Running for ALA Presidency

In addition to announcing its presidential candidates, ALA also announced the names of 18 nominated candidates who are running for a total of 12 at-large seats on the ALA Council for the 2026-2027 term.

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending October 31, 2025

Among the week's headlines: Llano County lawyers don't want the Supreme Court to review a key book banning case; Texas school boards are asking Chat GPT to help identify books to ban; tech lobbyists want Trump to stop copyright lawsuits over AI; and a new Dr. Seuss book is set for 2026.

Trump Asks Supreme Court to Help Him Fire the Register of Copyrights

The administration’s bid for Supreme Court intervention comes after an appeals court last month found the administration likely lacked the authority to dismiss Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter.

Judge Rejects 'Government Speech' Argument in DoD Book Banning Case

Despite the government's arguments to the contrary, DoDEA school libraries “lack the quintessential elements of government speech,” judge Patricia Giles held, explaining that public school libraries “have historically been loci of intellectual freedom.”