Why Libraries Are Committing to Systemic Change
"The crises we face today—in public health, in our economy, and in confronting the structural racism in our society—demand that we rethink everything," writes author and library educator R. David Lankes. more...
Changes Loom as Public Libraries Begin to Reopen
Observers in recent years have argued that if public libraries didn’t already exist in America, we wouldn’t be able to invent them. In the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, the question now is: Can we reinvent them? more...
All By Ourselves
As states push to reopen, many libraries are having to figure out their own way forward. more...
Is the Covid-19 Crisis a Watershed Moment for Library E-books?
Why the rapid shift to digital library services necessitated by the Covid-19 crisis could help chart a new, more productive course for the digital library market long term. more...
Reading Is Only a Step on the Path to Anti-Racism
Anti-racist reading lists are trending, but becoming anti-racist requires action, writes librarian Nicole A. Cooke. more...
Libraries Must Draw the Line on E-books
Recent developments suggest a grim future for digital content in libraries, writes Sari Feldman, unless library supporters find a way to respond. more...and more.
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LibrariesHouse Introduces Bill Seeking $5 Billion for Library Facilities
The Build America’s Libraries Act was introduced in the House of Representatives this week by Reps. Andy Levin (D-MI) and Don Young (R-AK) and would provide $5 billion to address decades of needed repairs, updates, as well as the construction of modern library facilities in underserved and disadvantaged communities.
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Libraries
'Arms' Race: Where We Stand One Year into the Covid-19 Crisis
As we approach the one year anniversary of the first U.S. Covid-19 lockdowns, PW spoke with Columbia University epidemiologist Jeffrey Shaman, who offered a frank assessment of where we stand in our battle against Covid-19.
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Libraries
OverDrive CEO: Publishers, Librarians Still Searching for Fair E-book Lending Models
In a post this week, OverDrive CEO Steve Potash said he was proud of some of the “incremental gains” made in the library e-book market in 2020 but insisted that the work of establishing “fair, flexible, and reasonable terms” for libraries and schools to acquire and lend digital content is far from over.
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Publisher News
New Report Explores ‘Engagement’ with Books, Digital Media
The report, 'Immersive Media & Books 2020,' is the most ambitious project yet from the Panorama Project, the cross-industry research initiative chartered in 2018 by leading digital library vendor OverDrive.
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Publisher News
Amazon E-book Case Sprawls, Lawyers Propose Consolidation
Lawyers for a potential class of e-book consumers have asked a federal judge to consolidate four cases alleging an e-book price-fixing conspiracy among Amazon and the Big Five publishers.
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Libraries
PW Webinar Series 'Live from the Library Lounge' Returns March 4
The free webinar series for librarians will resume with a discussion exploring how Covid-19 has impacted public libraries, including the successes, failures, the hard lessons learned, and the challenges and opportunities yet to come as we approach year two of this global public health crisis.
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Libraries
Macmillan Learning Announces Winners of First Annual “Black History, Black Stories” Contest
The contest was created by Macmillan Learning "to elevate Black voices in education and in recognition of the fight for social justice inspired by the #BlackLivesMatter movement."
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Libraries
James McBride, Rebecca Giggs Win ALA's 2021 Carnegie Medals
The awards, which were established in 2012, have become a highly coveted literary honor, reflecting the expert judgment and insight of library professionals and booksellers who work closely with adult readers.
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Libraries
Why 2021 Is Setting Up to Be a Pivotal Year for Digital Content in Libraries
In the wake of a historic pandemic, the library community must make progress in the ongoing quest for equitable access to digital content.
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Publisher News
Big Five Publishers Now Defendants in E-book Price-Fixing Suit
The initial complaint, first filed on January 14 by Seattle-based firm Hagens Berman, had portrayed the Big Five publishers as "co-conspirators" in the alleged price-fixing scheme but had named only Amazon as the defendant. The amended complaint, filed on February 4, now draws the publishers into the suit.
