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On Third Attempt, Copyright Chief Again Denied Injunctive Relief
A federal judge, who previously ruled against register of copyright Shira Perlmutter’s requests for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction, denied her latest emergency motion in Perlmutter v. Blanche on August 20.
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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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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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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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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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IBPA Approved as ALA Affiliate
The American Library Association announced July 30 that the Independent Book Publishers Association is now an ALA affiliate. ALA president Sam Helmick and IBPA CEO Andrea Fleck-Nisbet talked with PW about the significance of the alliance.
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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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Censorship from Both Directions: PW Talks with Ira Wells
The author of On Book Banning, a literary critic and associate professor at the University of Toronto, spoke about censorship battles in North America and book banning efforts from the political right and left.
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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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Shakeup at 'LJ' and 'SLJ' Results in Layoffs, Leadership Change
Media Source Inc., parent company of School Library Journal, Library Journal, and the Horn Book, has announced a “strategic repositioning across the company and its media group.” As part of the process, MSI laid off Rebecca T. Miller, group publisher of the three journals, as well as SLJ editor-in-chief Kathy Ishizuka.
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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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ALA Grows Its Global Network at UN Forum
A delegation from the American Library Association discussed libraries’ economic and social importance in a July 21 panel at the United Nations 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York City.
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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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In Wake of Court Losses, Rhode Island Codifies ‘Right to Read’
Rhode Island governor Dan McKee has signed into law the Freedom to Read Act, joining a growing number of states passing protections against book bans. The law is the first to guarantee writers and readers a right to sue for censorship, and shields librarians from criminal prosecution.
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Children's Books at ALA: A Photo Essay
Librarians and publishers gathered in Philadelphia for this year’s ALA conference, where dozens of authors and illustrators were also in attendance, meeting librarians, speaking on panels, and signing copies of their books.
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ALA 2025: AI Tech, DIY Zines Capture Librarians’ Attention
Participants at the American Library Association’s Annual Conference in Philadelphia, held June 26–30, sampled the profession’s digital technologies as well as more traditional hands-on innovations.
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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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ALA 2025: Librarians Chart a Course for the Future Amid ‘Existential Threat’
The American Library Association’s Annual Conference, held in Philadelphia June 26–30, found attendees simultaneously anxious about the future and in a fighting mood, tackling topics such as the freedom to read, the fate of the IMLS, and how to stand up to bullies.
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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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SCOTUS Mandates Opt-Outs on LGBTQ+ Books in Schools, Funding for E-Rate Program
Wrapping up a hurly-burly session, the U.S. Supreme Court today announced two decisions that will allow all parents to opt their children out of being taught books with LGBTQ+ themes in schools and ensure funding for universal broadband access for schools, libraries, and under-resourced areas.
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