News

Among the week's headlines: while fighting in court to save IMLS, ALA is also rallying library advocates to push Congress for FY 2026 funding; a Michigan court rules against book bans; the library world mourns Cliff Lynch; and the second IndeLib Forum takes place in New York.

The schedule appears to accommodate an ALA request that the court rule by May 4, which ALA lawyers cite as the date a "mass termination" of IMLS staff is reportedly set to take effect.

'At bottom, the situation is simple,' attorneys argued in an April 16 filing. 'The President issued an executive order so illegal that Defendants cannot defend it on the merits.'

In a filing this week, Trump administration lawyers said a coalition of 21 states lacked standing to sue in federal court.

Lesley's case has garnered national attention, and her refusal to ban books won her the ALA's 2022 John Philip Immroth Memorial Award, which recognizes 'personal courage in defense of freedom of expression.'

Among the week's headlines: library advocates are rallying in Ohio; the Maine State Library lays off staff after its IMLS funds go MIA; Brewster Kahle weighs in on the threat facing libraries in the digital age; And Maria McCauley wins the 2026-2027 ALA presidency.