An Endangered Core Value of American Democracy?
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2025 5:03 am
Public Library Lending:
Since 18th century and pre-Constitution America, libraries have been a public space, a central repository where books could be borrowed, read and returned—a long defended democratic ideal of the public library. But new challenges like book bans and lawsuits against libraries threaten that historic role. Join Brewster Kahle for a discussion about the future of libraries at The Commonwealth Club of California, October 6 @ 5:30pm PT.
Public Library Lending: An Endangered Core Value of American Democracy?
The Commonwealth Club of California
110 The Embarcadero, Toni phone number library Rembe Rock Auditorium
Register now for the in-person event (virtual attendance available)
Posted in Announcements, Books Archive, Event | Tagged event | 2 Replies
What Does the Blockbuster Antitrust Trial Against Penguin Random House Mean for the Future of Libraries?
Posted on September 13, 2022 by Peter M. Routhier
The publishing industry is large and powerful—by some accounts, it generates nearly $100 billion in revenue worldwide. The United States Department of Justice has accused big publishers of abusing that power in the past, by conspiring with each other to raise the price of e-books. More recently, Penguin Random House has been in the legal crosshairs for an alleged abuse of power, as the Justice Department sues to stop its proposed (and allegedly anticompetitive) acquisition of Simon & Schuster.
Since 18th century and pre-Constitution America, libraries have been a public space, a central repository where books could be borrowed, read and returned—a long defended democratic ideal of the public library. But new challenges like book bans and lawsuits against libraries threaten that historic role. Join Brewster Kahle for a discussion about the future of libraries at The Commonwealth Club of California, October 6 @ 5:30pm PT.
Public Library Lending: An Endangered Core Value of American Democracy?
The Commonwealth Club of California
110 The Embarcadero, Toni phone number library Rembe Rock Auditorium
Register now for the in-person event (virtual attendance available)
Posted in Announcements, Books Archive, Event | Tagged event | 2 Replies
What Does the Blockbuster Antitrust Trial Against Penguin Random House Mean for the Future of Libraries?
Posted on September 13, 2022 by Peter M. Routhier
The publishing industry is large and powerful—by some accounts, it generates nearly $100 billion in revenue worldwide. The United States Department of Justice has accused big publishers of abusing that power in the past, by conspiring with each other to raise the price of e-books. More recently, Penguin Random House has been in the legal crosshairs for an alleged abuse of power, as the Justice Department sues to stop its proposed (and allegedly anticompetitive) acquisition of Simon & Schuster.