Book & Library News
Neutral, sourced coverage of the stories that affect how (and whether) you can find, borrow, or buy a book — copyright rulings, market data, and library-access policy.
Library Apps Quietly Expand Manga and Graphic Novel Catalogs
Digital lending platforms used by public libraries have significantly grown their licensed manga and graphic novel offerings, giving cardholders a stronger free alternative to piracy sites.
Utah and South Carolina's Statewide School Book Restrictions Continue Drawing Scrutiny
Two states have implemented mechanisms to restrict specific books across all state-funded schools at once, a departure from the district-by-district removals more common elsewhere.
Nonfiction Book Bans Doubled in U.S. Schools Last Year, New PEN America Report Finds
A May 2026 PEN America report found nonfiction titles made up a sharply growing share of school book removals, with history, biography, and reference books increasingly targeted.
Global Secondhand Book Market on Track to Pass $37 Billion by 2030, New Report Says
Market researchers project steady growth for used books worldwide, driven by affordability, e-commerce reach, and rising reader demand for both print and rare editions.
U.S. Secondhand Market, Including Books, Projected to Hit $61 Billion in 2026
New data shows the broader U.S. secondhand goods market, a category that includes used books alongside apparel and other resale categories, growing faster than the overall retail market.
U.S. Bookstore Industry Returns to Growth, Fueled by Niche and Community-Focused Shops
Industry data shows U.S. bookstore revenue climbing modestly in 2025 after a difficult stretch, with romance-focused and specialty shops outperforming the broader market.
Audiobook Adoption Keeps Outpacing Ebook Growth, Industry Analysis Shows
Print books still dominate U.S. unit sales, but audiobooks continue growing faster than ebooks, particularly among commuters and multitasking readers.
Internet Archive's Open Library Still Rebuilding Lending Catalog After Publisher Lawsuit
More than a year after losing its appeal to major publishers, the Internet Archive's Open Library continues to operate a reduced digital lending collection while readers lean more heavily on public library apps.
ThriftBooks Expands Little Free Library Partnership, Committing Thousands of Book Donations Annually
A national used-book retailer has deepened its sponsorship of the Little Free Library network, funding new boxes and ongoing donations aimed at expanding free community book access.
Public Domain Day 2026: Nancy Drew, As I Lay Dying, and Betty Boop's Debut Now Free to Use
Thousands of books, films, and songs first published in 1930 entered the U.S. public domain on January 1, 2026. The list includes major literary works and early animation debuts.