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LibrariesAt 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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Libraries
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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Libraries
Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction in ‘ALA v. Sonderling’ IMLS Case
In a decision that may prove catastrophic for the American library community, a federal judge has denied a preliminary injunction in American Library Association v. Sonderling, a case seeking to halt the demolition of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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Libraries
Former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Speaks Out on CBS
The 14th librarian of Congress discussed the unusual circumstances of her May 8 removal from the position by the White House with CBS journalist Robert Costa on the network’s June 8 'Sunday Morning' broadcast.
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Libraries
Comics Plus, PRH at Odds Over E-Book Lending Models
Following Random House’s acquisition of Boom! Studios, the comics and graphic novel publisher’s digital catalog is no longer available for unlimited, simultaneous library access—a source of disappointment at digital platform Comics Plus.
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Libraries
Federal Judge in Rhode Island Orders Halt to IMLS Dismantling
In Rhode Island v. Trump, district court judge John J. McConnell Jr. ordered a halt to an executive order dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Plaintiffs in ALA v. Sonderling requested their own injunction the same day.
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Libraries
U.S. Executive and Legislative Branches Battle at the LoC
After Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden’s firing, and with interim Librarian Robert Newlen set to be replaced by Trump attorney and deputy attorney general Todd Blanche, members of Congress sent an urgent letter to the U.S. Inspector General, calling for an investigation into the executive branch’s actions.
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Libraries
Librarianship’s Core Values: PW Talks with Lisa Varga
Virginia Library Association’s fierce former leader has big plans for her new role as associate executive director of the American Library Association’s Office of Public Policy and Advocacy.
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Libraries
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Fired by White House
“Tonight, the White House informed Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden that she has been relieved of her position,” a spokesperson confirmed in an email to PW on May 8. Hayden was the first woman and first Black person to head the nation’s library.
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Libraries
R.I. District Court Grants Preliminary Injunction in IMLS Case
The District Court of Rhode Island has granted 21 states’ attorneys a preliminary injunction to stop the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services by the Trump administration.
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Libraries
Judge Grants IMLS a Temporary Reprieve in ‘ALA v. Sonderling’
A federal judge has granted a “narrow” temporary restraining order in a lawsuit co-filed by the American Library Association that is intended to sustain the Institute of Museum and Library Services amid broad cuts to its program.
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Libraries
ALA Pushes to Preserve IMLS as Staff Termination Date Looms
At the first hearing in ALA v. Sonderling, held April 30 at federal court in Washington, D.C., plaintiffs pushed for the court to issue an emergency restraining order before the majority of IMLS staff is laid off on May 4.
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Libraries
ALA and AFSCME Prepare Their Case for IMLS
In ALA v. Sonderling, the American Library Association and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees are seeking a preliminary injunction to a White House executive order dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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Libraries
The ALA Sues Over the Scuppering of the IMLS
A lawsuit filed in federal court on April 7 by the American Library Association and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees alleges that the Trump administration’s recent “evisceration” of the Institute of Museum and Library Services is both illegal and unconstitutional.
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Libraries
21 States Sue Trump Administration Over Scuttling of IMLS, Other Agencies
Attorneys general from 21 states have sued the Trump administration to block its recent efforts to scuttle the Institute of Museum and Library Services and several other federal agencies.
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Libraries
National Library Week 2025 Emphasizes the Draw of Libraries
Amidst turmoil, the American Library Association is marking National Library Week April 6-12 with the tagline “Drawn to the Library,” which emphasizes the essential role libraries play in American life. This year’s honorary cochairs are Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud.
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Libraries
Publishers Ask Congress to Defend Libraries as Federal Library Grant Funding Ends
Four of the Big Five publishers and Sourcebooks sent a letter to Congress on April 3 expressing “deep concern” for the nation’s libraries following a week of unprecedented turmoil orchestrated by the Trump administration at the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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Libraries
IMLS Staff Furloughed, Prompting Questions from ‘Disappointed’ Board
The staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services was placed on 90-day administrative leave on March 31. A letter sent to acting director Keith Sonderling three days later by the institute’s 19-member advisory board identified some big questions.
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Libraries
Four Senators Defend IMLS in Bipartisan Letter to Acting Director
The lead authors of the 2018 Museum and Library Services Act—two Democrats and two Republicans—wrote to Institute of Museum and Library Services acting director Keith Sonderling to remind him of his “obligation to faithfully execute the provisions of the law.”
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News
ALA, SBA Launch First School Librarians Conference in Sharjah
The American Library Association and the Sharjah Book Authority will host the inaugural ALA Sharjah School Librarians Conference on April 15–16 in the United Arab Emirates.
