In The News

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 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.

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending July 25, 2025

Among the headlines this week: lawmakers consider ebook and freedom to read bills in Massachusetts; Trump dismisses AI copyright concerns; fired register of copyrights Shira Perlmutter gets her day in court; and big changes at 'Library Journal' and 'School Library Journal.'

ALA Clarifies That It Is Not Closing Access to Its Executive Board Meetings

It's only been a week since the American Library Association released its most recent strategic plan, but association leaders this week found themselves having to tamp down a brewing controversy. Contrary to language in an email announcing its strategic plan last week, ALA leaders have now confirmed that

Trump Administration's 'AI Action Plan' Snubs Creators

In the July 23 report, the Trump administration suggests that American tech companies "must be unencumbered by bureaucratic red tape," to win an AI arms race with China. But the report is also notable for what's not in it—any discussion of copyright or the impact of AI on the creative economy.

Supreme Court Decision Could Spell Trouble for the IMLS

After two significant legal victories in early May the fate of the agency is once again looking uncertain.

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending July 18, 2025

Among the week's headlines: EveryLibrary takes stock of the legislative landscape; New Hampshire's Ayotte vetoes book ban bill; the book ban battles rage on in Alabama; and the 'New York Times' reports on the state of library ebooks.

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending July 11, 2025

Among the week's headlines: Rhode Island enacts the strongest 'freedom to read' law yet; a Georgia librarian fired for including an LGBTQ+ book in a library display is getting community support for her reinstatement; and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein vetoes several anti-DEI bills.

Carla Hayden Joins Mellon Foundation as Senior Fellow

Hayden will “pursue scholarship, writing, and research projects” while also advising Mellon on “opportunities to support and advance libraries, archives, and other organizations in the public knowledge ecosystem.”

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending July 4, 2025

Among the week's headlines: the ALA Annual Conference draws more than 14,000 to Philadelphia; Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoes a controversial anti-LGBTQ+ library provision; authors ask publishers to eschew AI; and why Idaho schools just got less welcoming, and more political.

Libraries, Front and Center

Help us build and strengthen Words & Money with a premium subscription. For just $45 annually you can support a new media venture that aims to properly center libraries in the 21st Century reading and writing enterprise.

Supreme Court Delivers Two Major Decisions Impacting Libraries

the Supreme Court delivered two major rulings on June 27, one negatively impacting the freedom to read, and one saving the popular E-rate program.

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending June 27

Among the week's headlines: two key fair use decisions roil the AI landscape; A major Supreme Court decision threatens the freedom to read; Texas signs its controversial school library bill into law; and the Library of Congress faces a budget cut.

As Annual Conference Kicks Off, ALA Announces New Executive Director

Daniel J. Montgomery, currently President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, will take the helm at ALA this fall.