and more.
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Shows & EventsLOC Cues Up the 25th National Book Festival
In a tumultuous year for the nation and federal agencies, the Library of Congress is getting ready to host its 25th annual National Book Festival, taking place in Washington, D.C., on September 6.
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Libraries
PRH Presses Forward in Case Against Idaho Book Banning Law
Plaintiffs challenging Idaho’s book banning law, HB 710, in Penguin Random House v. Raúl Labrador filed a notice of appeal on August 21. Three days later, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals scheduled oral arguments for November in a similar HB 710 case.
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Libraries
Attorneys General Beseech R.I. Judge to Protect IMLS
Twenty-one states’ attorneys general have asked a federal judge, who granted a preliminary injunction in May, to enter a summary judgment in State of Rhode Island v. Trump and protect the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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Libraries
Defiant Fired Copyright Chief Urges Federal Court to Connect the Dots
Shira Perlmutter, who is suing the federal government over the Trump administration’s move to dismiss her as U.S. register of copyrights, once again asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to grant an injunction, drawing connections between the timing of her dismissal and the release of the administration’s AI Action Plan.
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Libraries
Freedom to Read Advocates Cheer Decision in ‘PRH v. Gibson’
The American Library Association, Authors Guild, Florida Library Association, Florida Freedom to Read Project, and others see Judge Carlos E. Mendoza’s August 13 order in PRH v. Gibson as an important step in protecting First Amendment rights.
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Libraries
Florida Court Upholds Freedom to Read in ‘PRH v. Gibson’
Publishers, authors, and readers are claiming a “sweeping victory” in the decision by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in the lawsuit over the state’s efforts to bar books that “depict or describe sexual content” from school and classroom libraries.
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Libraries
Florida Public Schools Remove Library Books, Fearing State Reprisal
At least nine Florida counties have removed hundreds of books from public school classrooms and libraries ahead of the 2025–2026 school year, PEN America reported, amid concerns over legal action from the state’s Board of Education and Attorney General.
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Libraries
Library Startup Briet Wants to Revolutionize E-Book Sales, Not Licensing
Briet, a new platform affiliated with the Brick House publishing cooperative, is inviting publishers to sell rather than license their e-books to libraries.
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Libraries
In Amicus Brief, Literary Groups Register Opposition to Iowa Law
Ten groups including the Association of American Publishers, American Booksellers for Free Expression, and Independent Book Publishers Association filed a July 24 amicus brief supporting the plaintiffs in Penguin Random House v. Robbins, who are challenging Iowa’s book banning law.
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Libraries
EveryLibrary Releases Legislative Update, Library Use Survey
Advocacy organization EveryLibrary has shared some of its latest research on library policymaking and patrons in a new legislative summary and annual survey.
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Libraries
ALA Releases Strategic Plan with Focus on Advocacy and Activism
The American Library Association’s 2025 strategic plan addresses national policy, library legislation, and local connections, reflecting “a more activist approach,” said ALA interim executive director Leslie Burger.
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Libraries
At ALA 2025, Attendees Reflect on History and Democracy
The Philadelphia setting and political backdrop enlivened conversations at the American Library Association’s 2025 Annual Conference, where George Takei, Brené Brown, and incoming ALA president Sam Helmick discussed activism, social justice, and preserving democratic institutions.
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Libraries
Daniel J. Montgomery Named ALA Executive Director
After an extended search, the American Library Association has found its new executive director in the current president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers.
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Libraries
Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction in ‘ALA v. Sonderling’ IMLS Case
In a decision that may prove catastrophic for the American library community, a federal judge has denied a preliminary injunction in American Library Association v. Sonderling, a case seeking to halt the demolition of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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Libraries
Former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Speaks Out on CBS
The 14th librarian of Congress discussed the unusual circumstances of her May 8 removal from the position by the White House with CBS journalist Robert Costa on the network’s June 8 'Sunday Morning' broadcast.
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Libraries
Comics Plus, PRH at Odds Over E-Book Lending Models
Following Random House’s acquisition of Boom! Studios, the comics and graphic novel publisher’s digital catalog is no longer available for unlimited, simultaneous library access—a source of disappointment at digital platform Comics Plus.
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Libraries
Federal Judge in Rhode Island Orders Halt to IMLS Dismantling
In Rhode Island v. Trump, district court judge John J. McConnell Jr. ordered a halt to an executive order dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Plaintiffs in ALA v. Sonderling requested their own injunction the same day.
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Libraries
U.S. Executive and Legislative Branches Battle at the LoC
After Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden’s firing, and with interim Librarian Robert Newlen set to be replaced by Trump attorney and deputy attorney general Todd Blanche, members of Congress sent an urgent letter to the U.S. Inspector General, calling for an investigation into the executive branch’s actions.
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Libraries
Librarianship’s Core Values: PW Talks with Lisa Varga
Virginia Library Association’s fierce former leader has big plans for her new role as associate executive director of the American Library Association’s Office of Public Policy and Advocacy.
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Libraries
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Fired by White House
“Tonight, the White House informed Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden that she has been relieved of her position,” a spokesperson confirmed in an email to PW on May 8. Hayden was the first woman and first Black person to head the nation’s library.
