January 12, 2026
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Libraries of all sizes needed new places for their materials when wholesaler Baker & Taylor closed late last year, and vendors are trying to meet the demand by investing in their library talent, technologies, and warehouse operations. more
U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and newly sworn-in U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07) have reintroduced the Right to Read Act, designed to increase federal funding to address the nation’s literacy crisis. According to a statement, the legislation “reaffirms that first amendment rights apply to school libraries in response to the alarming trend of book banning.” more
The ACLU of Utah, on behalf of the Kurt Vonnegut estate, three authors, and two students, argues that portions of House Bill 29, the “sensitive material review” law responsible for statewide book removals, violate the First Amendment.
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After the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed free speech claims in Little v. Llano County last May, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition to hear the case, in which a Texas library removed books on ideological grounds. PRH, PEN America, ALA, and NCAC were among the organizations urging SCOTUS to take the case. more
A report from PEN America on the 52 most frequently banned books since 2021 shows schools across the country targeting titles related to race, LGBTQ+ identities, and sexual abuse, as well as bestselling novels by Green and Picoult. more
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Hop on the Gnome Road for Reading Adventures
Find a new classroom favorite or library read-aloud from our collection of picture book titles meant to be treasured and read time and again. More
Follett Content Solutions, the largest provider of children’s and YA print books to the U.S. preK–12 market, and Sora, OverDrive’s student reading app, are teaming up to provide schools with streamlined purchasing access to print and digital materials. more
The social media star and PBS “resident librarian” is continuing to spread “library joy” as the host of a Reading Rainbow reboot and, soon, as a children’s book author. more
Hachette Book Group has announced a $200,000 investment to its Raising Readers campaign, in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of parent company Hachette Livre. more
Jeffrey Mathews has been appointed president of Scholastic Education. In addition to his new role, Mathews will retain his current roles as EVP and chief growth officer of Scholastic, and will continue reporting to Scholastic president and CEO Peter Warwick.
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At the Guadalajara International Book Fair’s second annual audiobook forum, panelists discussed the development and challenges of the Spanish-language audio segment, and stressed the importance of growing the audiobook catalog for children as a way of creating a new generation of listeners and readers. more
Budding bibliophiles who have graduated from easy readers but are not quite ready for longer books will have a new line of books just for them this spring. Simon & Schuster is introducing Star Chapter Books, an assortment of illustrated fiction for ages five through nine, designed to support developing reading skills. more
Torrey Maldonado is a veteran middle school history teacher and an acclaimed middle grade novelist whose books include What Lane? and Tight. This month, the author makes his picture book debut with Just Right. We spoke with Maldonado about the early experiences and emotions that played a role in writing this highly personal story. more
The new year heralds exciting new titles, including a picture book that highlights a famous scientist's brainstorming process, a middle grade novel about a tween chasing popularity, a YA murder mystery inspired by a literary classic, and more. more
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School & Library Spotlight
Editor: Emma Kantor
Digital Producer: Michael Seidlinger
Assistant Editor: Iyana Jones
Editor: Emma Kantor
Digital Producer: Michael Seidlinger
Assistant Editor: Iyana Jones
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