In The News
GAO Report: Many Public Library Buildings in the U.S. Are in 'Poor' Condition
According to the December 18 report, an estimated 38% of the nation’s public libraries have at least one building system in poor condition, while an estimated 61% have at least one building system or feature that poses a potential health or safety concern.
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending December 12, 2025
Supreme Court Declines to Hear Key Texas Book Banning Case
The denial in 'Little v. Llano County' lets stand a controversial Fifth Circuit decision empowering local leaders in three states to remove books from public libraries at will, even for unconstitutional viewpoint discretion.
OverDrive Seeks Preliminary Injunction Blocking Open AI's Sora Trademark Infringement
Lawyers argue that the "toxic waste content" generated by Open AI's Sora video generation app is harming OverDrive, which owns the trademarks for Sora, a popular student-focused digital borrowing platform.
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending December 5, 2025
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
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.
