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.
In The News
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
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
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.
Register of Copyright Shira Perlmutter Sues to Keep Her Job
Lawyers for Perlmutter argue that Trump lacks the authority to fire the Register of Copyrights, or appoint a replacement.
D.C. Judge Looks to Delay Decision on IMLS Injunction
Judge Richard J. Leon has proposed extending his temporary restraining order until the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decides how to handle an appeal in a similar case.
DOJ Seeks to Stay Injunction Restoring the IMLS
The move comes as acting IMLS director Keith E. Sonderling said the agency was "working diligently" to comply with judge John G. McConnell's May 13 preliminary injunction, which DOJ lawyers argue is overly burdensome.
Connecticut Passes Library E-Book Legislation
“The Connecticut bill essentially restores the right to negotiate, so libraries aren’t forced into take-it-or-leave-it digital deals," said Ellen Paul, executive director of the Connecticut Library Consortium.
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending May 16, 2025
ALA Urges Court to Deny DOJ’s Motion for Reconsideration in IMLS Case
ALA lawyers say the administration remains determined to dismantle the IMLS.
In a Major Win for Libraries, Federal Judge Orders IMLS to Be Restored
In a rebuke, federal judge John J. McConnell has ordered the Trump administration to immediately reverse the mass terminations of grants and staff at IMLS.
Trump Abruptly Fires Top Copyright Officer
The move comes after the Copyright Office released the third and final part of a wide-ranging review critical of the tech industry's approach to AI, but the firing may have more to do with raw politics than policy.
