Debut author Sam Sussman reflects on his deep love of libraries.| Words & Money
At a September 8 hearing, judge William Alsup said the settlement agreement was “nowhere close to complete” and ordered the parties to cure several deficiencies by September 22.| Words & Money
Thank you for supporting Words & Money, a new independent media venture that aims to properly center libraries in the 21st century reading and writing enterprise. If you're already a subscriber, we thank you for your support. And we encourage you to please share this newsletter with your| Words & Money
If the settlement is approved, an undisclosed number of authors of some 500,000 pirated works will receive roughly $3,000 per work, making the settlement potentially the largest copyright award in history.| Words & Money
With a budget deadline looming, Congress appears poised to fund the IMLS in fiscal year 2026, even as the Trump administration seeks to shutter the agency by executive order.| Words & Money
Among the week's headlines: Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch resists the Trump administration's bid to control the institution's programs and exhibits; librarians take on AI books; the IMLS releases stats from its 2023 Public Library Survey; and a great talk with Oxford librarian Richard Ovenden.| Words & Money
Happy Labor Day weekend! Alas, the end of summer is upon us, and we're looking forward to fall with several new features and reports in the coming weeks. We remain grateful for your support and feedback, and we once again ask for your help spreading the word about| Words & Money
Among the week's headlines: Penguin Random House voices its commitment to defending the freedom to read; voters in Alabama rebuke would-be book banners; the American Library Project visits Oregon; and Geraldine Brooks wins the Library of Congress's Prize for American Fiction.| Words & Money
The deal looms as a potential milestone in the development of AI. But with tensions running hot between authors and the tech industry, lawyers say that getting a final deal approved may prove challenging.| Words & Money
In an August 22 motion, a coalition of states are seeking to make Judge John J. McConnell’s May 6 preliminary injunction permanent. “There is no genuine issue as to any of the material facts," the filing states, adding that the Constitution "does not allow the President to shutter agencies himself.”| Words & Money
It's a long travel day for us today, but the Wifi gods have been kind and we're able to send a newsletter. As we noted last week, this issue is slightly abbreviated as we wrap up our summer vacation. But we'll be getting up| Words & Money
Florida governor Ron DeSantis vows to appeal a legal decision over book bans in Florida schools; a new study charts a worrying decline in pleasure reading; Trump escalates his attacks on the Smithsonian; and IFLA holds its global conference in Kazakhstan.| Words & Money
The decision is a major blow to Shira Perlmutter's bid for a swift reinstatement and leaves the leadership of the Copyright Office in limbo.| Words & Money
As we ease into the homestretch of summer, Words & Money will be on vacation next week. We'll still send a newsletter, though perhaps slightly abbreviated. And we look forward to coming back refreshed and ready for a busy fall, which will include the debut of our podcast| Words & Money
Among the headlines this week: Rhode Island celebrates its new Freedom to Read Act; EveryLibrary has launched a new advocacy training program; Wyoming librarians express concern over a new 'harmful to minors' bill; and Amanda Jones continues to stand tall for libraries.| Words & Money
In an August 12 letter, Trump officials announced a plan to review the venerable institution’s “museums and exhibitions” to ensure “alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism."| Words & Money
Publishers. Libraries. Readers. Writers. The Business of Reading and Writing in the Digital Age.| Words & Money
If passed, the New Jersey bill would sound beyond the Garden State, satisfying the so-called “trigger clause” in the recently passed library ebook bill in Connecticut.| Words & Money