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Publisher News
Court to Hear Bids by Amazon, Publishers to Dismiss Revived Price Fixing Case
The hearing on the revived case comes some 10 months after magistrate judge Valerie Figueredo found insufficient evidence for the initial case to proceed. The suit accuses Amazon and the Big Five publishers of a conspiracy to fix e-book prices, a claim the publishers insist is "implausible" and unsupported.
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Libraries
Coalition Sues Over New Arkansas Library Obscenity Law
A coalition of 18 plaintiffs—including a powerful alliance of library, publishing, author, and bookseller groups—are suing to strike down a controversial new law that would expose librarians and booksellers to criminal liability for making allegedly inappropriate books accessible to minors.
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Libraries
Librarians, Publishers File Amicus Briefs in Texas Book Banning Case
With the Fifth Circuit set to review Judge Robert Pitman's March 30 decision to enjoin officials in Llano County, Tex., from banning library books, librarians and publishers have weighed in on the closely watched First Amendment case.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: June 2, 2023
Among the week's headlines: a library-led coalition has filed a lawsuit challenging a new Arkansas law that exposes librarians and booksellers to criminal prosecution for making allegedly inappropriate books available, while a new 'harmful to minors' rule in Missouri is causing confusion and concern.
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Libraries
Librarians, Publishers, Bookstores Join Lawsuit Over Arkansas Library ‘Obscenity’ Law
Book business advocacy organizations, including the Association of American Publishers, will join a federal lawsuit over a law recently signed by Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders that exposes librarians in the state to criminal liability for making allegedly “obscene” books available to minors.
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Libraries
DOE Delivers Potentially Crucial Finding in Fight Against Book Bans
Freedom to read advocates are applauding a federal consent decree that could help blunt the surge of book bans in schools.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: May 19, 2023
Among the week's headlines: a surprise guest inspires the annual PEN America gala; a profile of a grassroots parents group defending the freedom to read in Florida; a brewing controversy over book bans in Colorado; and Minneapolis school administrators seek to ensure every school has a qualified school librarian.
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Publisher News
PEN America, Penguin Random House Sue Florida School District Over 'Unconstitutional' Book Bans
PEN officials called the suit a "first-of-its-kind challenge to unlawful censorship," bringing together concerned parents, authors, and a major publisher.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: May 12, 2023
Among the week's headlines: a new report explores the post-pandemic funding landscape for libraries, a library board shuts down a library-hosted book group for discussing a 'political' book, and more.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: May 5, 2023
Voters in Michigan overwhelmingly support their local libraries and oppose book bans; Illinois passes a groundbreaking bill to support the freedom to read; ALA announces its Banned Books Week 2023 theme, and more.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: April 28, 2023
Among the week's headlines: a challenging year for libraries recapped in the ALA's 2023 State of America's Libraries report; amid criticism, the College Board will change its AP African American studies course again; the Seattle Public Library will join Brooklyn Public Library in making banned e-books available nationwide; and Cindy Hohl is elected ALA president.
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Libraries
Right to Read Act Revived In Effort to Support Librarians and School Libraries
Among its provisions, the bill would ensure all U.S. students have access to a school library staffed by a certified school librarian and would extend liability protections to teachers and school librarians.
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Libraries
ALA Releases Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022
With book bans and legislative challenges to the freedom to read surging to record levels, even the top 10 most banned books list is bigger. In 2022, multiple books received the same number of challenges, resulting in the expansion of the list to 13 titles.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: April 21, 2023
Among the week's headlines: National Library Week 2023 is upon us; PEN America report says politics is 'supercharging' book bans; the Texas House passes its school library bill; and Dolly Parton will be awarded the ALA's highest honor.
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Libraries
National Library Week to Include 'Right to Read Day'
“ALA calls on readers everywhere to show our commitment to the First Amendment by doing something concrete to preserve it,” said ALA president Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada.
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Publisher News
PEN Report Shows State Legislation ‘Supercharging’ Book Bans
“The heavy-handed tactics of state legislators are mandating book bans, plain and simple,” said Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America, in a release announcing the new report.
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Libraries
The Week in Libraries: April 14, 2023
Among the week's headlines: concerns that 'defund the library' may become the new front in the book banning wars; the Texas Senate passes its school library bill; librarians in Illinois weigh in on the state's proposal to defend the freedom to read; and ALA launches a new initiative to combat book bans.
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Libraries
Texas Library to Stay Open—For Now
After garnering national headlines, a group of Llano County commissioners on Thursday voted to table the idea of closing its public libraries. But as a federal lawsuit over the library's illegal removal of books it deemed offensive continues, library supporters say the library's future remains uncertain.
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Obituaries
Legendary 'Booklist' Publisher Bill Ott Dies
Bill Ott, who served as publisher of the ALA review publication 'Booklist' for 30 years, died earlier this month after a brief illness.
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Libraries
Texas County to Consider Shutting Down Library After Book Ban Ruling
After a federal judge ordered the return of more than a dozen books improperly removed from the Llano County Public Library shelves, the county's commissioners are set to discuss shutting the library down altogether.