In The News

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending June 20, 2025

Among the week's headlines: Escambia County votes to allow book bans without review; a chilling report on the freedom to read in Utah; two more 'Freedom to Read' bills advance; and BookCon returns!

Judge Schedules Next Steps in the ALA’s IMLS Case

In a filing this week, Trump administration lawyers said they would move to have the ALA's lawsuit to save the IMLS dismissed.

GAO Declares Trump's Withholding of IMLS Funds to Be Illegal

The Constitution grants the President "no unilateral authority to withhold funds from obligation," concludes the independent, nonpartisan watchdog.

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending June 13, 2025

Among the week's headlines: Former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden to speak at ALA 2025; Oregon passes its 'Freedom to Read' bill; AI developers are turning to libraries for training data; and how a new media specialist has supercharged reading at a Wisconsin school.

With Appeals Court Considering a Stay in Rhode Island Case, the IMLS Is Once Again Facing Uncertainty

Can DOJ lawyers sow enough uncertainty to keep the courts at bay until the destruction of the IMLS is complete? An appeal before the First Circuit to stay a Rhode Island court's IMLS injunction will be a major test.

Minnesota School District Settles Lawsuits, Agrees to Return Banned Books to School Library Shelves

Under the agreement, the St. Francis Area School District will replace a controversial policy that tied book selection to reviews on a conservative website with a policy that "guarantees the input of the parents and qualified media specialists," and "follows state law."

In About Face, Judge Denies ALA's Bid to Block IMLS Destruction

In a blow to the library community, judge Richard J. Leon noted that both “the facts and the law” in the case are in flux and held that the ALA could therefore not make a showing that it was likely to prevail on the merits.

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending June 6, 2025

Among the week's headlines: Connecticut Passes a 'Freedom to Read' Law; an Arkansas librarian forced out over book bans sues for defamation; and 'American Libraries' offers a preview of the ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia, set for June 26-30.

Are Library Book Decisions Government Speech? After Controversial Fifth Circuit Decision, a Florida Judge Is Now Set to Weigh In

After a summary judgment hearing, judge Carlos E. Mendoza is likely to be the first judge to weigh in on whether library book decisions are government speech since the Fifth Circuit's May 23 ruling.

Rhode Island Judge Declines to Stay His IMLS Injunction

The Court's decision affords IMLS employees and grantees in 21 plaintiff states a little peace of mind, at least for now.

After Scheduling Order, Dispute Over Register of Copyrights Firing Will Stretch Well into the Summer

Perlmutter had sought an expedited schedule on a motion for summary judgment to mitigate the uncertainty at the Copyright Office. That timeline will now be extended by at least a month.

After Failing to Win a Restraining Order, Former Register of Copyrights Seeks to Fast Track Lawsuit Over Her Firing

Calling her firing "blatantly illegal," former Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter is now seeking to expedite a summary judgment, over the objections of Trump administration lawyers.

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending May 30, 2025

Among the week's headlines: Fallout from the Fifth Circuit's massive book banning decision; Texas moves a step closer to giving school boards control of public school libraries; and Colorado libraries are struggling with ebook costs.

States Oppose Trump Administration's Bid to Stay IMLS Injunction

Citing the potential for further harm, attorneys for 21 plaintiff states are urging judge John G. McConnell not to stay his May 13 injunction pending an appeal by the Trump administration.

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending May 23, 2025

Among the week's headlines: Petitions celebrate Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden; ALA welcomes IMLS employees back to work after court order; and Nevada races to pass a bill that would protect librarians.

In a Stunning Reversal, The Fifth Circuit Deals a Blow to the Freedom to Read

In a closely watched book banning case, the court held that library book decisions are 'government speech' and thus immune from First Amendment challenges, setting up a potential high stakes showdown at the Supreme Court.