and more.
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LibrariesThe Week in Libraries: April 19, 2024
Among the week's headlines: a new report reinforces the value of school libraries; PEN America finds school book bans still surging; and an epic battle over the public library in Superman's hometown of Metropolis (...Illinois).
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Publisher News
Five Publishers Join Lawsuit to Stop Iowa Book Banning Law
“We as publishers are uniting in our unwavering commitment to stand with educators, librarians, students, authors, and readers against the unconstitutional censorship measures being imposed by the state of Iowa," the publishers said in a joint statement.
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Publisher News
New PEN America Report Finds School Book Bans at Record Levels
The report, 'Banned in the USA: Narrating the Crisis,' reports 4,349 book bans recorded from July to December 2023, with more book bans recorded during the first half of the current school year than in all of the last school year.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: April 12, 2024
Among the headlines this week: ALA releases the 2024 State of America's Libraries Report; PLA reports strong attendance at its annual conference; and Idaho passes a "harmful to minors" bill.
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Libraries
ALA Releases Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023
Maia Kobabe’s 'Gender Queer' topped the list of this year's most challenged books, which is again dominated by stories by and about LGBTQ+ persons and people of color, whose voices
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Libraries
At PLA 2024, Shola Richards Delivers a Much-Needed Message for Librarians
Richards told his personal story of escaping a toxic workplace and offered a roadmap for public librarians—who have been feeling the stress of their ever-expanding work long before the current surge in book banning and political attacks began—to begin addressing the challenges in their own environments.
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Libraries
Judge Weighs Preliminary Injunction in Alaska Book Banning Lawsuit
A year after administrators in the Mat-Su district responded to a handful of parental complaints by pulling 56 titles from school libraries without any formal review, a federal judge considers an injunction that would return the books to school library shelves and pause the removal of any others pending a further order from the court.
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Shows & Events
TLA 2024 Preview: Leading the Way in the Lone Star State
Under the conference theme “Stories Inspire. Opportunities Await,” Texas Library Association leaders say the 2024 annual conference, set for April 13–16 in San Antonio, is expected to draw more than 5,000 attendees.
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Libraries
Proposed Changes to Huntington Beach Public Library Draw Opposition
Plans to audit children's books and privatize library management in Huntington Beach, Calif. are drawing criticism from censorship opponents. On March 28, council members and Authors Against Book Bans held a joint press conference to decry the measures.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: March 29, 2024
Among the week's headlines: PLA 2024 is on deck for next week in Columbus and with a new opening speaker; Washington passes a bill to protect libraries; and federal library funding will remain stable for 2024, but next year's budget battle is already heating up.
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Publisher News
Amicus Briefs Filed in Internet Archive Copyright Case
The briefs are the latest development in the long-running copyright infringement case, following the publishers' opening appeal brief filed earlier this month, and comes nearly one year after judge John G. Koeltl unequivocally found the scanning and lending of print library books to be copyright infringement. The Internet Archive’s reply brief is now due on April 19.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: March 22, 2024
Among the week's headlines: ALA is honored by the National Book Critics Circle; the political attacks on libraries in Alabama continue to escalate; and a report on how libraries are bridging the mental health divide in Texas.
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Publisher News
Publishers File Appeal Brief in Internet Archive Copyright Suit
Nearly one year after district court judge John G. Koeltl found the IA's scanning and lending of library books to be copyright infringement, the publisher plaintiffs are asking an appeals court to affirm the decision.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: March 15, 2024
Among the week's headlines: ALA reports that book bans are still surging; the end has come for ALA's LibLearnX; a shocking escalation in a battle over the freedom to read at an Alabama library; and a handy roundup of state legislation designed to protect libraries.
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Libraries
Library Community Readies for PLA 2024
With a strong program and solid registration numbers, excitement is running high for the 2024 Public Library Association Conference, set for April 3–5 in Columbus, Ohio.
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Libraries
PLA 2024: Program Picks
DEI, leadership, literacy, and, of course, defending the freedom to read are among the themes represented in a strong PLA 2024 professional program.
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Libraries
Legislative Attacks on State Library Associations are Dangerous—and Illegal
EveryLibrary's John Chrastka argues that the legislative attacks on the work of library associations, if allowed to stand, could undermine the foundation of all professional association activities and destabilize the collaborative networks vital to any profession.
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Libraries
ALA Reports Record Spike in Book Titles Challenged in 2023
In a release, ALA officials said that 4,240 unique book titles were reported challenged in schools and libraries in 2023, a stunning 65% increase over 2022, when 2,571 unique titles were targeted for censorship.
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Libraries
ALA to Cease LibLearnX in 2026
After three challenging years, ALA officials said the 2025 event in Phoenix will be the last winter show produced by the association.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: March 8, 2024
Among the week's headlines: librarians head to Washington D.C. to push for library funding; a Llano County librarian is suing for wrongful termination after being fired for refusing to ban books; and EveryLibrary issues a paper exploring the political threats facing academic libraries.
