It was a rollercoaster week for libraries, which began with a solid victory in court, and culminated with the shock firing of Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on the evening of May 8. While no reason has yet been given by Trump officials for Hayden's dismissal, the move represents a major escalation in the administration's attacks on the institutions that support our nation's cultural and intellectual heritage, and a major shot across the bow of the library community.

In this week's Words & Money newsletter, we lead with Hayden's firing from the Library of Congress, including a look back at her ascension to the role. Our weekly media roundup, The Queue, reports on another blow for libraries this week, as the Senate voted to end a popular FCC program that allowed libraries and schools to lend WiFi hotspots, as well as developments in the battle over book banning, and news that the change in Boom! Studios ownership will mean changes for at least one popular digital library service. In court, a federal judge this week granted an injunction blocking the Trump Administration's destruction of the IMLS, while the judge in the ALA's parallel lawsuit extended his temporary restraining order, while also seeking briefs on what an appeals court ruling in a separate case might mean. And finally, out of court, the Trump Administration's FY 2026 budget proposal asks Congress to eliminate the IMLS.

Trump Fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Hayden's sudden dismissal "a disgrace" and the latest in the administration's efforts to "ban books, whitewash American history, and turn back the clock.”

The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending May 9, 2025

Among the week's headlines: the Senate votes to kill the FCC's popular WiFi hotspot program; Book Banners lose big in Texas school board elections; Ohio libraries pull a clean sweep at the ballot box; and Library Journal announces its 2025 Movers & Shakers.

Court Extends Temporary Block on IMLS Destruction, Orders Briefing on the DOJ’s Bid for Reconsideration

Leon’s order follows a status report delivered by the parties in ‘ALA v. Sonderling’ on May 6, and a DOJ motion asking the judge to dissolve his order in light of a recent appeals court decision in a nearly identical case.

Words & MoneyAndrew Richard Albanese

Citing Appeals Court Ruling, DOJ Asks Court to Lift Order Blocking IMLS Destruction

Trump Administration lawyers on May 6 filed a motion asking federal judge Richard Leon to reconsider his order temporarily blocking the dismantling of IMLS.

Words & MoneyAndrew Richard Albanese

Another Federal Court Blocks the Trump Administration’s Destruction of IMLS

Judge John G. McConnell held that Trump’s March 14 executive order to dismantle the IMLS “ignores the unshakable principles that Congress makes the law and appropriates funds, and the Executive implements the law...”

Words & MoneyAndrew Richard Albanese

Trump Budget Proposal Seeks to Eliminate the IMLS

In its May 2 plan, Trump officials outline a draconian $163 billion reduction in discretionary spending, which includes the elimination of the agency tasked by Congress with distributing federal library funding.

Words & MoneyAndrew Richard Albanese