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Library Futures

@libraryfutures.bsky.social
4.4K followers 151 following 534 posts

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

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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 14h
Right there with you, Kim!
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Cosign.
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Looking to fight misinformation and improve your community? Look no further! Our libraries and local news series kicks off tomorrow and there's still time to register! nyu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Be the media! Or at the least let your library and local newsroom work together to create it in our fall series! /1 www.libraryfutures.net/post/stronge...
Stronger Together: A Webinar Series for Librarians and Journalists Fall 2026 / hands holding smartphone with news and a library card / Library Futures
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Hey. We're talking video games tomorrow. Hope you can come. nyu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Video Games in Libraries / Wednesday, September 23 | 1 PM ET/10 AM PT with Rose Behar, Chris Baker, Colin Post, and Marisa Marzilli / Black woman with headphones. Above her head float graphics of a mortarboard on a globe, a pair of headphones, a book, and cloud storage / Digital Games in Libraries, National Games and Libraries Project, and Library Futures logos
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Hey, did you know we have a webinar series WITH TERRY PARRIS JR. coming up? Check down thread for the deets. /1 www.niemanlab.org/2026/09/the-...
niemanlab.org
The Library Newsroom Project could be coming to a library near you
"Journalism can live inside the public library and allow people to take part in it together."
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Convoluted, rambling, misleading, questionable: LF advisory board member @loudpoet.com offers some analysis of recent attacks on library ebooks in @wordsandmoney.bsky.social and offers a way forward. www.wordsandmoney.com/in-the-libra...
The Cards Are on the Table

In the months following Paul’s appearance on the Hoopla podcast, the “wake-up call” for librarians has only grown more urgent.

With support for library ebook legislation continuing to gain support in several states, the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and the Authors Guild (AG) have spent the summer rolling out a convoluted campaign in opposition. From a rambling 9,000-word policy paper and a misleading local op-ed attributed to James Patterson to, most recently, a questionable economic study—commissioned by the AAP and AG, prepared by a Washington D.C.-based litigation consultant called Secretariat Advisors, industry lobbyists have deployed considerable resources to portray digital library lending as a threat to the publishing industry.
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Re:Create Coalition @recreatecoalition.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Re:Create member @libraryfutures.bsky.social joined @404media.co to break down the fight for digital ownership in libraries—from expiring ebook licenses to protecting public digital collections. Listen to the full interview here:
youtube.com
Fighting for the Future of Libraries (With Jennie Rose Halperin)
YouTube video by 404 Media
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T. May (or Not)🕊️ 🌻 @meemaa1.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Love this idea from @libraryfutures.bsky.social: Stronger Together: A Webinar Series for Librarians and Journalists www.libraryfutures.net/post/stronge... All events are held on Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. RSVP for FREE
libraryfutures.net
Stronger Together: A Webinar Series for Librarians and Journalists
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Our ED @littlewow.online was on the @404media.co podcast taking AI slop, vendor slurry, ebook battles, and games. We may be suffering--but we're going to win. A few links below! www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS0x...
youtube.com
Fighting for the Future of Libraries (With Jennie Rose Halperin)
YouTube video by 404 Media
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404 Media @404media.co · 14/09/2026
Censorship, AI, and the role of librarians in a country with crumbling public institutions.
404media.co
Fighting for the Future of Libraries (With Jennie Rose Halperin)
Censorship, AI, and the role of librarians in a country with crumbling public institutions.
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
We're proud to call members of the Independent Publishers Caucus friends and allies, including LF Research Network member @clairekelley.bsky.social! www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
publishersweekly.com
Independent Publishers Caucus Marks a Decade of Advocacy
Since launching in 2016, the organization has grown its ranks and built programs for presses, booksellers, and librarians in support of indie publishing.
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
We're looking for an attorney with 1-5 years of experience that includes transactional work and a passion for libraries, open access, and digital rights. If that's you, click below to apply! www.libraryfutures.net/apply-to-be-...
libraryfutures.net
Apply to Be the Library Futures Staff Attorney
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Calling all gaming enthusiasts--level up on video game access and preservation with the fine folks from Digital Games in Libraries and the National Games and Libraries Project! The webinar is coming up September 23, so register today: nyu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Video Games in Libraries / Wednesday, September 23 | 1 PM ET/10 AM PT with Rose Behar, Chris Baker, Colin Post, and Marisa Marzilli / Black woman with headphones. Above her head float graphics of a mortarboard on a globe, a pair of headphones, a book, and cloud storage / Digital Games in Libraries, National Games and Libraries Project, and Library Futures logos
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Now "[publishers] claim they can’t afford to help libraries — the biggest promoter of their wares and their most effective ally in the fight against literary oblivion." Book critic Ron Charles takes down the AAP/Authors Guild attack on... libraries. roncharles.substack.com/p/libraries-...
roncharles.substack.com
Libraries Are Not the Problem
A new publishing-industry study takes aim at ebook lending just as public libraries are fighting for their lives.
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
What's the big bold idea in digital library rights that you'd like to research? This year's Research Network Call for Proposals is out, and we'd love to hear from you! www.libraryfutures.net/apply
2026 Research Network Call for Proposals / Library Futures / woman with a bullhorn with flowers coming from it
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
We're just going to do a little light live-blogging of this 71-page study "Prepared for the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and Authors Guild" by Secretariat Advisors ("a global expert witness, litigation consulting, and economic advisory firm"). /1 secretariat-intl.com/wp-content/u...
An Empirical Study of the
Impact of Library E-Lending
on the Book Economy
As Public Libraries Prioritize eBook Formats,
Harm to Commercial Markets Across All Formats
is Quantifiable and Significant
by Jéssica Dutra, Ph.D. and Robert Stoner, Ph.D.
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Re:Create Coalition @recreatecoalition.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
🚨🆕 Today in an op-ed for the Washington Examiner executive director @bb.usefairuse.com explains how copyright law is being weaponized to censor political coverage and why Congress must reject copyright expansion through site-blocking legislation like FADPA & the Block BEARD Act. Read the full piece⬇️
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Someone should probably tell publishers and intermediaries that library eresource purchasing budgets are not going to endlessly increase, so pricing ebooks exorbitantly just means that libraries are going to purchase fewer books over time. Remind me whose best interest that's in? 🤔
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Our comms manager is on a much deserved vacation so it's me, @littlewow.online, staffing Bluesky this week. (Not gonna tag her so I don't bother her) AMA about libraries and digital rights, it'll be fun. 😈
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Dolly Parton was an incredible advocate for literacy, a library innovator, and a brilliant musician. She gave away over 300 million (!) books in her lifetime, fought the increasing censorship of her Imagination Libraries, and wrote one of the greatest feminist anthems of all time. Love you, Dolly!
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Another day, another library ebook pricing story. We know you're not surprised, but apparently the publishing industry hasn't gotten the message? www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2...
cincinnati.com
Rising ebook costs, less state money strain Cincinnati library budget
Less money from the state and rising digital costs led to the Cincinnati Public Library's decision to end free reciprocal cards for NKY residents.
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
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...
Tools for Intellectual Freedom Training: An Intellectual Freedom Adventure / Library Futures logo / librarian cat
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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Starting the week with an #IntellectualFreedom presentation with @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social and @libraryfutures.bsky.social LibraryFutures dropped a third scenario TODAY!!! Check out The Pickle of the Persistent Press Hound at: imagineif.libraryfutures.net
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
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
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becca @beccaquon.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Forever impressed by the power of community working groups, particularly in the digital library space. May this guide power many more papers.
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
"A 17.3% annual increase is not inflation. It’s economic extraction from institutions which cannot take a pass on popular content without community blowback. Libraries cannot substitute. For bestselling titles, there is no alternative product." personanondata.substack.com/p/killing-me...
personanondata.substack.com
Killing Me Quietly
Library Ebook Lending Is Not Killing the Book Market. Publisher Pricing Is Killing Library Budgets
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
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
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Congratulations to Jazmyn Gray, Library Futures intern and new @arl.org Kaleidoscope Scholar! www.arl.org/kp-current-s...
arl.org
Kaleidoscope Program Current Scholars — Association of Research Libraries
Below are rosters of the 2026 cohort, 2025 cohort, and 2024 cohort of Kaleidoscope Program Scholars: 2026 Kaleidoscope Program Scholars Hazel Carias she, her, hers, herself San José State University.....
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
"The committee was spurred to action after Library Futures... reached out regarding some vendor practices. 'When you have something that will block out large portions of a collection, it’s allowing the vendor to have a lot of control in what is being seen.'" www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
publishersweekly.com
ALA Offers Guidance on Evaluating Digital Platforms
In addition to navigating various systems for evaluating their print purchases from vendors, school librarians face challenges when selecting vendors to provide their students’ digital materials.
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Every state that passes an ebook bill is another sign that the library ebook system is broken. Which, you know, is a thing we've been saying for awhile. /1 www.valleybreeze.com/news/north_p...
valleybreeze.com
Rhode Island Library Association celebrates ebook bills becoming law
PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Library Association (RILA) announces that legislation regarding the fair licensing of library ebooks in the state of Rhode Island has become law. According to RILA,
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
"Will Gottsegen describes the impending loss of consumer autonomy in a way that librarians will find sadly familiar." Also concerned about digital ownership: PlayStation gamers. And yes, we are sadly familiar. www.arl.org/blog/consume...
arl.org
Consumers Are Worried About the Loss of Physical Media Ownership. Libraries Are Leading the Conversation. — Association of Research Libraries
Sally Sax is head, Collection Strategy and Partnerships, MacOdrum Library, Carleton University. In a recent Atlantic Monthly article about Sony’s plan to end physical sales of PlayStation console game...
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Someone in DC believes in digital ownership.
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
What do Library Futures interns do when not making the world safe for libraries in the digital age? Get to know our 2026 cohort! From city transit to cat-walking to carnivorous plants, they're a multi-talented group. We're thrilled to have them! www.libraryfutures.net/post/meet-th...
libraryfutures.net
Meet the 2026 Interns!
Research and advocacy for the future of libraries.
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
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.
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Open Science Community Utrecht coming in with a reading recommendation for our latest Research Network publication, Jessica Farrell's "How to Publish Your Academic Paper without Publishers, Bosses, Gods, or Masters"! oscu.nl/en/oscu-week...
oscu.nl
Open Science Community
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
"There’s definitely a problem here, but libraries are not the enemy." @bookriot.bsky.social is on it, with ALL the links. bookriot.com/libraries-ta...
bookriot.com
Libraries Tackle Ebook Pricing, and More Updates
Catch up on the latest in library news, including ebook legislation across the country, the growth of social reading, and more.
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
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 keychainstwo women posing next to a conference poster depicting scenes from Imagine IF: An Intellectual Freedom Adventure as well as buttons and keychains
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Just a few shots of the Library Futures team at our #ALAAC26 booth (come on down to Booth 2345!) and at Radical Book Buzz last night!
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Melanie Walsh @mellymeldubs.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
This was such an energizing and joyous event! Shout out to these amazing publishers: @haymarketbooks.org @sevenstories.bsky.social @feministpress.bsky.social @onesignalbks.bsky.social @scribepub.bsky.social And to the beautiful book store @pilsencommbooks.bsky.social in Pilsen!
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Thanks to @wordsandmoney.bsky.social for a preliminary rundown on Ebook Friday at #ALAAC26! www.wordsandmoney.com/the-queue-li...
wordsandmoney.com
The Queue: Library News for the Week Ending June 26, 2026
Among the week's headlines: the ALA Annual Conference kicks off in Chicago; A former ALA leader comes out against library ebook legislation; E-rate is facing an uncertain future after the FCC votes to...
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
"Librarians are the original public interest technologists, we might say, and I urge us to put them at the forefront of our conversations here." lil.law.harvard.edu/blog/2026/06...
lil.law.harvard.edu
Local News as Public Data, Then and Now | Library Innovation Lab
The Library Innovation Lab is growing knowledge and community by bringing library principles to technological frontiers.
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
And we encourage any and all visits to Pilsen, whether or not they're to our event!
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
"[A]ll citizens should have broad, unfettered access to the law that binds them." Read more from our partners @recreatecoalition.bsky.social.
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
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
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
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
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Dr. Kendra Preston Leonard (she/her) @kleonardphd.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
I published an OA monograph & a source guide on @kcommons.bsky.social using Open Peer Review, & they have had more downloads than my trad paper books. Highly recommend if you can do it.
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Mackenzie @mackymoo.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Forever impressed by the work of the great and good Jessica Farrell!
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
"Librarians have long indicated their desire to talk through the issues in the digital marketplace.... [A]fter 15 years of being rebuffed, it’s reasonable to conclude that change will only come if something forces it." www.wordsandmoney.com/librarians-w...
wordsandmoney.com
Librarians Want the Big Five Publishers to Negotiate ‘Fair’ Digital License Terms with Libraries. Here’s What That Might Look Like
What do libraries want from the major publishers in the digital library market? Hint: it isn't to destroy copyright. Librarians and ReadersFirst organizer Michael Blackwell weighs in on the group's ju...
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Library Futures @libraryfutures.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Academic publishing got you down? DIY it and be your own publisher! Jessica Farrell show you how in How to Publish Your Academic Paper without Publishers, Bosses, Gods, or Masters, the latest from our Research Network! www.libraryfutures.net/post/introdu...
libraryfutures.net
Introducing How to Publish Your Academic Paper without Publishers, Bosses, Gods, or Masters
Research and advocacy for the future of libraries.
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