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The Top 10 Library Stories of 2021
PW looks back at the library stories that captivated the publishing world this year—and what they portend for 2022.
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With LibLearnX, the ALA Midwinter Meeting Is Reborn
The ALA Midwinter Meeting is history, LibLearnX is the future...but because Covid-19 is still present, this year's inaugural event will be virtual only.
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AAP Sues to Block Maryland, New York Library E-book Laws
The AAP filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to stop Maryland's library e-book law from taking effect January 1 and also disclosed that it was one of more than 20 organizations to sign a letter to New York governor Kathy Hochul urging her to veto a similar bill. Both pieces of legislation require publishers who offer to license e-books to consumers in their state to also offer to license the works to libraries on "reasonable" terms.
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In New Filing, Publishers Accuse Internet Archive of ‘Stonewalling’ Discovery in Scanning Lawsuit
In a November 19 letter, lawyers for the plaintiff publishers outlined seven “categories” of requested documents yet to be turned over by the Internet Archive and accused the IA of "hoping to run out the clock” on discovery. Discovery in the case is due to close mid-December.
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Lawmakers Expand Inquiry into Library E-book Market
After questioning the Big Five publishers in September, Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and U.S. Representative Anna Eshoo (D-California) this week expanded their ongoing inquiry into the library e-book market with questions for nine major library e-book distributors.
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Librarians, Educators Warn of 'Organized' Book Banning Efforts
While efforts to remove books from schools and library collections are common, freedom to read advocates warn that the current, unprecedented spike in challenges is different.
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Library of Congress to Replace ‘Aliens,’ ‘Illegal Aliens’ Subject Headings
The decision was announced on November 12, at the regularly scheduled meeting of the LC's Policy and Standards Division, which maintains Library of Congress Subject Headings and comes after a long-running advocacy campaign—and a conservative political backlash against the effort.
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In Praise of Nancy Pearl
The 2021 Literarian Award recipient inspires countless readers, and her fellow librarians, too, writes Sari Feldman.
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ALA Announces Finalists for 2022 Carnegie Medals
The winners will be announced on January 23, during the ALA’s LibLearnX conference.
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Publishers, AAP Hit Back in Internet Archive Discovery Dispute
Lawyers for the AAP and the plaintiff publishers insist that communications and documents being withheld in the case are in fact privileged, and accused the IA of "attempting to litigate this case and their desired policy gains in the press based on a false narrative rather than in the courtroom based on the facts and the law.”
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Lawyers Argue that E-book Price-Fixing Case Against Amazon, Big Five Publishers Should Proceed
In a lengthy opposition brief filed this week, lawyers for a potential consumer class portrayed their case as the second act of the Apple e-books case and insisted there is more than enough evidence for the case to proceed.
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Internet Archive Seeking AAP, Publisher Communications in Scanning Lawsuit
According to an October 29 filing, IA lawyers say the AAP and the plaintiff publishers are refusing to comply with subpoenas for a range of documents and internal communications that could aid their defense against copyright infringement charges.
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AASL, ARSL Wrap Up Successful In-Person Library Conferences
The conclusion of the first in-person library shows in nearly two years should bolster ALA’s hopes for a return to major conferences in 2022.
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Midwest Tape's Hoopla Expands Internationally—and at Home
Amid a period of strong growth, Midwest Tape has announced new hires, new offerings, and the first overseas launches of its hoopla digital platform, which is now live in Australia and New Zealand.
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PRH Once Again Extends Temporary E-book, Digital Audio Terms for Libraries
The publisher's pro-rated terms and its temporary story time permissions will now run through March, 31, 2022, as the pandemic continues to impact schools and libraries.
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OverDrive Education Acquires TeachingBooks.net
Leading digital library and education platform OverDrive has acquired TeachingBooks.net, a popular online source of supplemental reading materials for educators.
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PLA 2022 Setting Up to Be the First Major In-Person Library Conference Since 2020
Plans are full steam ahead for an in-person PLA 2022 conference in Portland, Oregon, potentially the first major in-person library conference since the pandemic began in 2020.
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School Librarians Must Treat the Fight for Their Future Like the Political Campaign It Is
John Chrastka, executive director of EveryLibrary, argues that the time has come for school librarians and their allies to abandon their traditional advocacy toolkits and to act boldly to secure the future of the profession.
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ALA Accepting Applications for $2 Million in NEH-Funded Covid-19 Relief Grants
Up to 200 U.S. libraries of all types will be selected to receive $10,000 grants to support, restore, and sustain their core activities.