Library Futures

@libraryfutures

Research and advocacy for the future of libraries. A project of @NYUEngelberg.

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Bluesky

¿Es tu perfil?Reclámalo y libraryfutures.dirty.social es tuyo.Reclamar perfil

Library Futures@libraryfutures· 16h

And of course, don't forget to play Imagine IF! /end imagineif.libraryfutures.net

Librarian cats present The Dilemma of the Disapproving Dino Doctor, The Farce of the First Amendment Audit Influencer, and the Pickle of the Persistent Press Hound

Library Futures@libraryfutures· 16h

Plus slides! /2 drive.google.com/file/d/12P_f...

Sam Helmick, Community & Access Coordinator, Iowa City Public Library; Michelle Reed, Director of Programs, Library Futures; Jennie Rose Halperin, Executive Director, Library Futures / librarian cat

Library Futures@libraryfutures· 16h

Did you miss last week's Tools for Intellectual Freedom Training? Never fear, we've got the recording right here! /1 ala-events.zoom.us/rec/play/hUB...

Library Futures@libraryfutures· 6d

There's still time to register for Tools for Intellectual Freedom Training (Monday 8/17). Learn some stuff AND play a bit of the Pickle of the Persistent Press Hound with our own @librariansreed.bsky.social, @littlewow.online, and @samhelmick.bsky.social! elearning.ala.org/local/catalo...

suspicious dog reporter writing in a notebook

Library Futures@libraryfutures· 16d

We're not saying save the date; we're just saying you might want to save the date--that's this Thursday, August 6... with some people you might know. www.civicsoftechnology.org/2026conference

3:05-3:30pm EST

Civics of Technology Awards and Announcements

Join us to hear about exciting new things from our organization (e.g., new curriculum, events) and recognize our first recipients of the Civics of Technology Award for Public Scholarship

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Jul 6

Do you miss the Public Domain Slider? So did we! So we brought it back, along with all the other great interactive tools from the Copyright Advisory Network. librarycopyright.net

Public Domain Slider
Is it Protected by Copyright?

For works published in the U.S.A. Set the scenario that matches your work’s first publication to see whether permission is needed and the copyright status or term.

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Jun 29

Even if you missed our poster session (and swag) at #ALAAC26 you can still play Imagine IF: The Game and go on your own intellectual freedom adventure! imagineif.libraryfutures.net

woman in Library Futures tshirt standing next to a conference poster depicting scenes from Imagine IF: An Intellectual Freedom Adventure as well as buttons and keychains

two women posing next to a conference poster depicting scenes from Imagine IF: An Intellectual Freedom Adventure as well as buttons and keychains

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Jun 24

This Friday only! Join us for all the ebook updates and discussions at the annual Ebook Friday at #ALAAC26! 9 am--3:30 pm. FREE SNACKS. Details at www.readersfirst.org/news/2026/5/...

Ebook Friday ALA 2026 Friday, June 26 McCormick Place W190 / Library Futures with Readers First, Urban Libraries Council, ALA Office for Public Policy & Advocacy, ALA eBook Interest Group, and practitioners from from around the country

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Jun 23

Attention ALA attendees: Library Futures merch at the Common Ground for Intellectual Freedom Booth #2345. Get there early and join Big Library--plus zines, buttons, our RELX shirt, and more!

RELX don't do it and I'm with Big Library tshirts, Know Your Rights, Track 10, and Controlled Chaos zines, cat with Library Futures tattoo flexing a muscle / Library Futures buttons, zines, shirts, and surprise swag / ALA 2026 Exhibits Booth 2345

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Jun 11

They buy bestsellers (we're looking at you, James Patterson). And they buy and promote books by independent presses and authors! /3

Library catalog record for Wild That We're Alive by Lauren Haldeman

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Jun 11

As a reminder, libraries buy a LOT of books--often in multiple formats and copies! /2

library holdings for Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke, showing editions and holds for book (9 copies, 112 people waiting), eaudiobook (12 copies, 259 people waiting), ebook (14 copies, 249 people waiting), and kindle (14 copies, 249 people waiting)

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Jun 8

For more, @authorsalliance.bsky.social and the eBook Study Group offer some point-by-point fact-checking. /3 storage.ghost.io/c/ca/49/ca49...

Myth: H 7606 / S 2525 threatens authors and independent bookstores.
Fact: Libraries pay for books and digital licenses, and they help readers discover authors.
H 7606 / S 2525 would let libraries stretch limited public dollars across more titles, which
can especially benefit midlist, debut, local, scholarly, and backlist authors who lose out
when libraries are forced to spend disproportionate sums re-licensing a small number of
high-demand titles. The bill does not regulate bookstores or consumer sales.

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Jun 8

Oh James Patterson. A library loan does not "[undermine]" how authors are compensated for their creative contributions." And ebook legislation means libraries can buy MORE books. (Including yours.) /1 www.wordsandmoney.com/the-queue-li...

Are state laws killing the future of American authors? | Opinion
James Patterson
Guest columnist
Updated June 5, 2026, 5:47 p.m. ET

State legislators are waging an attack on the rights of American authors and we urgently need your help.

In states like Rhode Island, New Jersey, Illinois, and New York, lawmakers are pushing legislation to regulate digital library lending that will strip writers of the very rights that protect their creative works and livelihoods.

Library Futures@libraryfutures· May 26

And, of course, play Imagine IF while you're waiting for more of Siena's work! imagineif.libraryfutures.net

Imagine IF the Game: An intellectual Freedom adventure / cat librarian being chased by angry horde of animals / Library Futures

Library Futures@libraryfutures· May 20

Join us for a book talk on The House Archives Built, the book that sold out its first two printings! @dorothyjberry.bsky.social and @zzcollier.bsky.social will talk Black archival possibilities June 3, 1 pm ET/10 am PT, and you're all invited. nyu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Library Futures Presents The House Archives Built and Other Thoughts on Black Archival Possiblities / book cover with black and white photos / Dorothy Berry in conversation with Zakiya Collier / headshots of two Black women / Wednesday, June 3 1 pm ET 10 AM PT

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Apr 30

We're still taking mentor applications for our flagship internship program! Apply today! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

We're looking for a few good mentors! Woman holding megaphone with flower shapes emerging from it / Library Futures

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Apr 28

Minot Public Library director comes out swinging on library ebook costs with the best metaphor we've seen yet. www.minotdailynews.com/opinion/loca...

Imagine what would happen at the Minot Public Library if a book publisher pulled up to the building in a big van and ran inside while grabbing every book they had published. It might attract the eye of the police station right across the street. The stunning truth is that in a way this does happen very often, only with ebooks instead of books made of paper and ink.

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Apr 27

Amazon is now in a race to see which can expire faster--your library ebook or the device you read it on. More from Wired via our friends @wordsandmoney.bsky.social. www.wired.com/story/amazon...

Amazon Announces Plan to Brick Your Old Kindle

Amazon Pulls Support for Perfectly Fine Older Kindles
In an email to customers, Amazon announced that it would be ending service for Kindle devices older than the 2012 edi…
WIRED / Boone Ashworth
Wired is among the many outlets reporting that "Amazon will stop supporting any of its Kindle devices released in 2012 or earlier" as of May 20. "That means these devices—even if they’re perfectly functional—won’t be able to connect to the Kindle Store to download new ebooks," the report notes, although you'll still be able to read the books you have already downloaded. "It's unclear whether services like Libby will work, which uses the Kindle Store to deliver downloads," the report added, noting that Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Apr 23

And we love to see it! patch.com/illinois/hun...

State Rep. Jeff Keicher speaks on the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives. (IL House Staff)

Last week, the Illinois House of Representatives passed the Digital Library Protection Act to prevent local libraries from facing extra restrictions when licensing eBooks, digital audiobooks, and other electronic literary materials that drive up costs. As the former Board President of Sycamore Public Library, State Representative Jeff Keicher saw firsthand the limitations of these arbitrary restrictions.

“Simply put, most physical books are checked out 50 times before they are too worn and need to be replaced by the library,” said Keicher. “To help libraries save money and keep property taxes in check, House Bill 5236 ensures that our local libraries can achieve similar usage levels with electronic content.

“This is a win for our local libraries and taxpayers!”

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Apr 9

Vendors and libraries survey! Dr. Barbara Alvarez (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) and Dr. Eleanor "Nora" Mattern (University of Pittsburgh) invite you to participate as part of their work with the Library Futures Research Network. pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Library Futures Vendors and Libraries Survey / people approaching a library from the mountains and a city

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Apr 8

Public librarians are invited to take this anonymous survey to inform the work of our AI Policies Working Group. nyu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Library Futures AI Policies Working Group Survey. For public librarians. Open through April 13! / bust with fragments of text coming from its ear

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Apr 8

Stay tuned for more from Library Futures on Ink Knows No Borders--and in the meantime, if you're in or near the fine town of North Liberty, Iowa, check out this event with Kaveh Akbar! northlibertylibrary.org/programs/eve...

Ink Knows No Borders with Kaveh Akbar

April 22, 2026, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Library

Teen, Adult

Celebrate Poetry Month with local and renowned author Kaveh Akbar. Akbar is a poet and author of Martyr!, one New York Times' top 10 books of 2024. He will discuss his process of writing poetry and the inspiration for his poem in the collection, Ink Knows No Borders, have a Q&A session, and book signing. His books can be pre-ordered through Sidekick Coffee & Books and picked up at the event. They will have limited quantities of the books for sale at the event and preordering ahead of time is ideal. Register.

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Apr 7

Libraries pay more. Continued. More from @readersfirst.bsky.social! www.readersfirst.org/publisher-pr...

eAudio for libraries (OverDrive)

In contrast to the eAudio prices at retail, the prices on library eAudio licenses increased with all five publishers, ranging from a YOY jump of 2.9% from Penguin Random House to a 36% increase from Hachette. The annualized average increase over the last four years is 6.8%, a marked difference from the annualized rate for retail eAudio of -3.6%.

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Apr 6

We'll be disclosing non-disclosure at How to Read a Contract Part 2 (The Confidentiality Edition) tomorrow 4/7! Register now to hear from LF Staff Attorney Layla Maurer and get a sneak preview of our confidentiality and NDA guides! nyu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

How to Read a Contract (Part 2) with Library Futures Staff Attorney Layla Maurer April 7, 1 pm ET/10 am PT / mobsters holding a contract in front of a suspicious librarian

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Apr 1

And hey, are YOU in Minneapolis for PLA? Don't forget to get up early on Friday so you can catch our own Michelle Reed and ALA President Sam Helmick! www.placonference.org/confschedule

Imagine IF: A Game-Based Introduction to
Intellectual Freedom
Friday, Apr 3, 2026 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Intellectual Freedom
200 D-G
Building on ALA President
Sam Helmick's "Choose Your
Own Adventure Intellectual
Freedom Edition"
presentation, this session roduces an engaging and interactive digital resource to

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Apr 1

What do you do with your conference poster when it's no longer a conference poster? You turn it into a shirt, of course! LF Comms person Laura steps to the other side of the camera at PLA!

woman in a graphic tshirt depicting a person with a bullhorn

back of woman in graphic tshirt with handrawn illustrations

people standing around a conference poster from Library Futures

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Mar 31

Shark tank at IndieLib!

SharkTank: E-Book Licensing Models, Moderated by Micah May, Lyrasis Ellen Paul, Connecticut Library Consortium
Michael Blackwell, St Mary's County Library, ReadersFirst
Amy Mikel, Brooklyn Public Library

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Mar 31

"The bells and whistles on our digital products take power away from humans." We're thrilled to be at IndieLib with @sarahlamdan.bsky.social giving power BACK to human librarians and independent publishers. indiepubs.regfox.com/indielib-for...

IndieLib Forum program with list of sponsors and dedication to Fobazi Ettarh, author of "Vocational Awe and Librarianship"

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Mar 26

And thanks to our friends @readersfirst.bsky.social for their kind words on our work and for all the fine work they do on behalf of readers and libraries! www.readersfirst.org/news/2026/3/...

News From Library Futures
March 26, 2026

Our partners and friends at Library Futures have released their annual report for 2025. Check it out for a review of their important publications and research, book talks, and webinars. Their advocacy for the freedom to read and better library digital content terms is as inspiring as their work on the proliferation of A.I. slop into into publishing is chilling. Congrats to the Library Futures team on a great year.

Library Futures@libraryfutures· Mar 25

There, we fixed that for you. A little thread on the reintroduction of a terrible act: www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-r...