-
Freedom to Read Advocates Warn of Proposed ‘Book Rating’ Bill in Texas, Rising Book Bans in Missouri
While still in the early stages of the legislative process, the proposed bill in Texas would require publishers to develop a new rating system for books and would give Texas state officials the power to bar schools from doing business with publishers who do not comply with the state’s directives.
-
Michigan Library Association Defends Library Defunded Over LGBTQ Books
In a statement this week, the Michigan Library Association called the vote to defund the Patmos Library (Jamestown, Mich.) over the library’s refusal to pull several LGBTQ-themed books from library shelves
"a local tragedy with national implications." -
Elsevier ‘Confidence in Research’ Report Highlights Some Alarming Post-Pandemic Trends
Scientific researchers from around the globe acknowledged critical needs in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis and revealed concerns over how misinformation and the politicization of scientific research is challenging the research community.
-
Concerns Linger for Libraries After Mixed Election Results
While several major cities approved municipal funding or bonds to support library operations, at least two libraries were defunded in the wake of book ban campaigns, raising significant concerns.
-
Hoopla Offers 'MasterClass' Content to Libraries
Four of MasterClass's popular streaming tutorials are now available to public library patrons via the hoopla app with more classes to be added monthly.
-
Library Pass' Comics Plus Adds Image Comics
The award-winning publisher will make a range of digital titles available through Comics Plus, which offers readers simultaneous access to more than 20,000-plus digital comics, graphic novels, and manga through schools and libraries.
-
Hohl, Suess Seek ALA Presidency
Ballot mailing for the election will begin March 13, 2023, and will run through April 5, 2023.
-
Literacy Focus: Reading Across Genders
We asked four teachers and librarians about the ways they encourage students and patrons to read books featuring protagonists of diverse gender identities.
-
House Members Go to Bat for Library Construction Funds in FY2023 Budget
The House has yet to sign on to the Senate's $20 million proposal to fund library construction and renovation, which, if passed, would be the first federal funding for updating library facilities in some 26 years.
-
Register Today for AAPI Communities in Conversation #11 with Malinda Lo, author of 'Last Night at the Telegraph Club'
Lo will appear in conversation with Cristina Mitra of the San Francisco Public Library. The live stream is set for Tuesday, November 1, at 1 p.m ET.
-
Lyrasis Names U. of Illinois Librarian John Wilkin CEO
Wilkin was appointed after a six-month search and will succeed Erin Tripp, currently Interim Lyrasis CEO, who took the helm after CEO Robert Miller announced his departure in February.
-
Panel Explores Surge in Book Bans, Policies Targeting the LGBTQ Community
With a wave of book bans and educational gag orders surging across the country, an online panel this week explored how the bans are targeting and impacting the LGBTQ community—and how concerned communities can push back.
-
Missouri Proposes New ‘Protection of Minors’ Rule for Libraries
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft last week announced a new proposed rule he says will protect minors in the state’s libraries, but librarians and freedom to read advocates say the unwieldy new rule is a "First Amendment minefield."
-
Frankfurt Book Fair 2022: A 'Seismic Transformation' in Scholarly Publishing
From Plan S to the recently announced White House OSTP open access policy, scholarly publishers must navigate a rapidly shifting policy landscape
-
ALA Soliciting Nominations for Three Annual Intellectual Freedom Awards
With censorship and book bans still on the rise, one powerful way to defend intellectual Freedom is is to honor those who fight for it.
-
Publishers, Internet Archive Ready for Summary Judgment Hearing in Book Scan Case
With a final round of briefs now filed, a federal judge could soon hear oral arguments for summary judgment in a closely watched copyright case over the scanning and lending of library books.
-
The Truth About Fiction
A longtime librarian discovers that a healthy love of fiction is actually, well, healthy.
-
Biden Reestablishes President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
The committee, which had collapsed under the Trump Administration, will advise President Biden and the heads of the three major U.S. cultural agencies—the IMLS, the NEA, and the NEH—on “policy objectives, philanthropic and private sector engagement, and other efforts to enhance federal support for the arts, the humanities, and museum and library services.”
-
Reed, Grijalva Introduce Bill to Support School Libraries
The Right to Read Act would authorize up to $500 million in Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grants as well as investing in recruiting state-certified school librarians. The legislation also reaffirms that "First Amendment rights apply to school libraries," a direct response to a troubling wave of book bans and educational gag orders.
-
Register Today for AAPI Communities in Conversation #10 Featuring Weike Wang, Author of 'Joan Is Okay'
Wang will appear in conversation with Lalitha Nataraj from the California State University San Marcos University Library.