In a judgment that is likely to impact freedom to read challenges across the country, Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that library collection decisions are “government speech” and therefore not protected by the First Amendment.
Conferencegoers may want to take a cue from our cover and check out Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted by the Founding Fathers, or the Liberty Bell. But there are many other historic and literary sites to visit, and some fine dining for those who want to venture beyond Reading Terminal Market. And, of course, the conference itself promises to have an abundance of speakers, programs, and events for every interest.
I played basketball from the time I was about nine years old until a knee injury sidelined me in high school. The game features in some of my happiest memories from growing up—from my dad coaching our undefeated rec league team to summer open gym sessions to laughing with my teammates at pre-game dinners and post-game bus rides. I enjoyed playing basketball, but what I really loved was being part of a team. I was reminded of teamwork as I began to prepare for the American Library Association Annual Conference this year.
Libraries are once again at the forefront of change, continuously adapting to meet the shifting demands of their communities and institutions. From harnessing the power of emerging technologies to redefining the role of physical spaces, libraries are evolving into vibrant, multifunctional hubs of innovation, collaboration and learning.
Library Journal will honor one library staffer or a library team with its annual Marketer of the Year award in its October 2025 issue. The award, sponsored by Library Ideas, comes with a $2,000 cash prize. The award recognizes the importance of innovative approaches to marketing of library services, the role of marketing in building library engagement, and the value of quality marketing collateral to help build a vibrant sense of the library and define its relevance in the community.
The National Coalition Against Censorship and Brooklyn Public Library are launching a new Teen Advocacy Institute over the summer; a read-in is scheduled during American Library Association's Annual conference to support the push for librarians in Philly schools; the lawsuit against Lucy Calkins is dismissed; and the winners of the Children's History Book Prize and Youth Choice Award are announced; and more in this edition of News Bites.
“If there are no limitations to curation and removal decisions in a public library, what does that look like when taken to its logical conclusions? If the county authorities are divided on specific books, whose opinion counts? If a county judge removes a book without going through the appropriate process, can it be returned? Can citizens just go and cull the shelves of anything with which they disagree and pay a nominal fine? Where would the checks of power be?”
Erasure poetry renders one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s final speeches into a picture book with art by E.B. Lewis. Learn more about the book from Alice herself and learn how to make your own erasure poem!
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere leads holds this week. Also in demand are titles by James Patterson and Bill Clinton, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, Molly Jong-Fast, and Claire Lynch. People’s book of the week, A Family Matter by Claire Lynch, is also the June Read with Jenna pick. New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association announces its Book of the Year awards. Judy Blume is presented with the Women’s National Book Association Award. The Anthony Awards nominees are revealed, as are Audiofile’s June 2025 Earphones Award winners. In The Guardian, Ben Okri remembers Kenyan novelist and scholar Ngugi wa Thiong’o, who has died at the age of 87.
Audiobooks are a vital part of any public library’s collections, and streaming audio has become the preferred format among patrons. Yet, librarians often struggle to navigate the various access models available from publishers. Blackstone Audio has a solution to this challenge.
JFK: Public, Private, Secret is a starred biography by J. Randy Taraborrelli. "Bestselling biographer Taraborrelli provides a unique perspective on JFK’s character and evolution, making this a riveting exploration for the millions of readers still fascinated by the Kennedy family’s dynamics and legacy." Jamal Watson's The Student Debt Crisis: America’s Moral Urgency is a starred education selection. "Watson’s research reveals how it has become it nearly impossible for poor and even middle-class students to attend college without taking on debt, thanks to the promotion of loans for degrees with little economic value, predatory private loan management, and tremendous increases in college costs. Personal stories of struggle with debt and of successful post-loan forgiveness add to readers’ understanding of the crisis." And Clay McLeod Chapman's Wake Up and Open Your Eyes is a starred fiction title. "A tale for fans of socially conscious horror, as well as those seeking the grisliness of possession and psychological horror."
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