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LibrariesThe Week in Libraries: November 3, 2023
Among the week's headlines: the Alabama Public Library Service suggests moving on from the ALA's Library Bill of Rights; an Arkansas librarian recently fired for defending the freedom to read has no regrets (and a lawyer); lawmakers in Massachusetts consider a new library e-book bill; and Barack Obama shares an AI reading list.
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Libraries
ALA Report Looks at Millennial, Gen Z Library Usage, Media Habits
The report, based on a “nationally representative” 2022 survey of some 2,075 Gen Z and Millennials, presents one of the most in-depth looks at how growing up in an increasingly digital environment has shaped the reading and media consumption behavior of younger Americans.
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Publisher News
In Appeal Brief, Texas Defends Controversial Book Rating Law
In a 62-page filing, state attorneys say a district court judge made "substantive errors" in ordering HB 900 blocked, and urged the Fifth Circuit to overturn the order and dismiss the case.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: October 27, 2023
Among the week's headlines: school librarians gather for AASL in Tampa, an Arkansas state senator threatens the Arkansas Library Association, and net neutrality begins its long awaited comeback.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: October 20, 2023
Among the week's headlines: a congressional hearing in support of book bans; more librarian blowback for Scholastic Book Fairs over its optional collection of diverse books; and the Urban Library Council issues a report on AI in libraries.
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Bookselling
Montana Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction Against Drag Ban
On Friday, a U.S. District Court judge deemed Montana House Bill 359 "vague and overbroad, chilling protected speech," and said that it exhibited "anti-LGBTQ+ animus."
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: October 13, 2023
Among the week's headlines: Montana looks to remove a state requirement that directors at larger library systems have an MLIS degree; Brewster Kahle defends libraries; the DNC passes a resolution supporting the right to read in libraries; and an Arkansas library director is fired for defending the right to read.
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Publisher News
Expedited Appeal in Texas Book Rating Case Delayed by Three Weeks
Meanwhile, an administrative stay blocking judge Alan D. Albright's injunction from taking effect remains in place—a move that has allowed the law to take effect despite being found unconstitutional by the district court.
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Publisher News
Appeals Court Sets Oral Argument in Texas Book Rating Case
The Fifth Circuit will hear the state's appeal on November 8. Meanwhile, the law in effect despite being found unconstitutional by a district court.
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Publisher News
Appeals Court Lets Texas Book Rating Law Take Effect, Orders Expedited Hearing
The Fifth Circuit ordered an administrative stay to remain in place while an "expedited" appeals process plays out, effectively allowing Texas to enforce HB 900, the state's controversial book rating law, despite a district court finding it to be "a web of unconstitutionally vague requirements."
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: October 6, 2023
Among the week's headlines: ALA executive director Tracie D. Hall resigns; how a new 'harmful to minors' rule is playing out in Missouri; and 'USA Today' reports on the website fueling book bans across the nation.
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Libraries
Tracie D. Hall Out at American Library Association
In a surprise announcement, the ALA said that executive director Tracie D. Hall resigned from her position effective October 6, bringing a sudden end to her tenure after a challenging four years for the organization.
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Publisher News
Can Spotify Take Digital Audiobooks to the Next Level?
Publishers are betting it will—and at a star-studded event at Spotify’s Manhattan headquarters on October 3, Spotify officially launched its new subscription-based audiobook service in the U.K. and Australia, with a U.S. launch set to come by winter.
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Libraries
Schedule Set, but Order Blocking Texas Book Rating Law Still in Limbo
In an October 2 filing, the plaintiffs argued that staying a federal judge's decision to enjoin HB 900 would "radically upend the status quo” and leave booksellers in a precarious position. But that is exactly where things stand, as an administrative stay issued by the Fifth Circuit effectively allows the law to take effect despite being found unconstitutional.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: September 29, 2023
Among the week's headlines: Banned Books Week begins on Sunday; South Carolina's state library withdraws from the ALA; EveryLibrary and 'Book Riot' survey parents attitudes about book bans; and 'Library Journal' questions whether KKR's ownership of OverDrive is an issue for the firm's acquisition of publisher Simon & Schuster.
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Libraries
Appeals Court Temporarily Stays Injunction Blocking Texas Book Rating Law
The temporary hold, which is not based on the merits of the case, puts Judge Alan D. Albright's preliminary injunction on ice while the Fifth Circuit considers the state's bid to stay the injunction.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: September 22, 2023
Among the week's headlines: a judge in Washington rejects a bid by book banners to force a vote on closing the local library; a Colorado librarian who was wrongly fired after refusing to censor LGBTQ programming is awarded $250,000; Alabama's state librarian defends the ALA; and LeVar Burton will serve as honorary chair for Banned Books Week.
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Libraries
New PEN America Report Finds 33% Jump in School Book Bans
"Amid a growing climate of censorship, school book bans continue to spread through coordinated campaigns by a vocal minority of groups and individual actors and, increasingly, as a result of pressure from state legislation," the report finds.
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Libraries
New ALA Data Shows Book Challenges Still Surging
Ahead of Banned Books Week, the ALA reported 695 attempts to censor library materials between January 1 and August 31, 2023, and 1,915 unique titles challenged—a 20% jump over last year.
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Publisher News
In a Blistering Opinion, Judge Officially Blocks Texas Book Rating Law
After nearly three weeks, federal judge Alan D. Albright delivered a 59-page written opinion holding that the controversial Texas law "misses the mark" by imposing a web of "unconstitutionally vague" requirements.
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