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- 1Oxford partners with OpenAI to digitize Bodleian public-domain books●In March 2025, # Oxford announced that it was working with # OpenAI to digitize # PublicDomain # books from the # Bodlei
In March 2025, the University of Oxford announced a partnership with OpenAI to digitize public-domain books from the Bodleian Library. According to the announcement, the digitized works will become searchable and more widely accessible. The collaboration has drawn attention among librarians, researchers and open-access advocates discussing the role of AI companies in digitizing cultural heritage collections.
- 2Oxford opens Bodleian Library collection to OpenAI▼Oxford lets OpenAI train its AI models on Bodleian Library
The University of Oxford has agreed to let OpenAI train its AI models on material from the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest and largest libraries in Europe. The deal gives the AI company access to centuries of rare books and manuscripts, sparking debate among researchers, authors and archivists over cultural heritage being used to power commercial AI systems.
- 3Cloudflare open sources Forge code generation pipeline▼Introducing Forge: the open source pipeline for generating SDKs, CLIs, docs, and more
Cloudflare has introduced Forge, an open source pipeline that automatically generates software development kits, command-line interfaces, documentation and other developer assets. By releasing the tool publicly, the company aims to let teams standardize how they produce client libraries and docs from API definitions, reducing manual maintenance work as developer tooling ecosystems continue to grow.
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Free speech organisations are warning that new education directives will broaden book bans in schools, arguing the orders will restrict what students can read. The groups say the measures give officials wider authority to remove titles from libraries and classrooms. The reports stem from Florida outlets, suggesting the policy debate centres on US state education policy, with civil liberties groups pushing back against expanded censorship powers.
- 5FCC accused of cutting internet access for schools and libraries●Donald J. Trump's Federal Communications Commission cutting INTERNET For over 100,000 PUBLIC SCHOOL AND LIBRARIES 😡😡😡 Co
Claims are circulating that the Federal Communications Commission under Donald Trump is moving to cut internet access for more than 100,000 public schools and libraries. Critics say the move would hit underprivileged students and job seekers who rely on library connections for research and applications, and the accusation is drawing anger online. Details of the alleged decision remain limited.
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Air quality in central Singapore hit the unhealthy range before returning to moderate levels, according to local reports. The dip drew attention alongside other headlines from the city-state, including lease extensions for tenants at Punggol East Container Park, earlier opening hours at eight public libraries from October 5, and a survey raising concerns about rising calorie, fat and sodium intake as more Singaporeans eat out.
- 7Ireland's libraries see two million more visits in two years●"Visits to public libraries around Ireland have increased by two million in the last two years. New figures show that al
New figures show visits to public libraries across Ireland have risen by two million over the past two years, reaching almost 16 million visits in 2025, up from nearly 14 million in 2023. Borrowing has also spiked, pointing to a renewed appetite for free public cultural and reading spaces.
- 8Kids test solar ovens at Jaffrey Public Library despite clouds▼Preserving Our Region: Kids test solar ovens at Jaffrey Public Library, despite cloudy skies
Children at the Jaffrey Public Library in New Hampshire tested homemade solar ovens as part of an educational activity on renewable energy, even though cloudy skies limited the sunshine available. The event, covered by the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript under its 'Preserving Our Region' series, gave kids a hands-on lesson in how solar power works and the challenges of relying on weather-dependent clean energy.
- 9Data Breach Leaves FBI Scrambling as Russian Attacks Destroy Millions of Books●Huge Data Breach Leaves F.B.I. Scrambling, and Russian Attacks Destroy Millions of Books
The FBI is dealing with a large data breach whose scope remains unclear, while separately, Russian attacks are reported to have destroyed millions of books. Both stories are drawing wide attention: the breach raises fresh concerns about US government data security, and the destruction of libraries is being condemned as a major cultural loss.
- 10Duke University Press Publishes 'Speaking of America' Book▼‘Speaking of America,’ Featuring Conversations from the Congressional Dialogues Series, Publishes with Duke University Press
Duke University Press has published 'Speaking of America,' a new book collecting conversations from the Congressional Dialogues series hosted by the Library of Congress. The volume brings together discussions with members of Congress, offering insight into American political life and lawmaking. The Library of Congress announced the release, highlighting the project as a way to share candid congressional conversations with a wider public audience.
- 11A 19th-century autumn illustration resurfaces online●Autumn. Karl Fröhlich, from "Karl Fröhlich's frolicks with scissors and pen" New York: 1879 # illustration # art # Child
A public library in east London has removed several children's books featuring a popular cartoon pig from its shelves, including titles about migration, after complaints about the author's political views. Staff said the decision was made following concerns raised by a local campaigner, while critics, including the author himself, have called the removals censorship and demanded the books be reinstated.
- 12Library of Congress Opens Nominations for Federal Library Awards▼Library of Congress Opens Award Nominations for Outstanding Federal Libraries, Librarians and Library Technicians
The Library of Congress has opened nominations for awards honouring outstanding federal libraries, librarians and library technicians. The programme recognises excellence across US government libraries and the staff who run them. It is an administrative announcement, with no public controversy or reaction reported so far.
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The United Nations has released a new set of photos through its media library, available via UN Photo. The gallery is the organisation's latest visual coverage, typically documenting diplomatic meetings, humanitarian operations, and events across its global offices. No specific subject was highlighted in the release, and there is no notable public reaction or commentary attached to it so far.
- 14New laws could criminalise librarians over banned books●Many people are unaware that book banning has escalated to the point that librarians and educators could be targeted for
Library advocacy group EveryLibrary is warning that book banning in the United States has escalated beyond removals from shelves, with new state laws potentially exposing librarians and educators to criminal prosecution for distributing materials deemed offensive. The group says many people are unaware of these legal risks and is urging the public to learn more about the legislation.
- 15Utah state board: Davis school district can keep book ban appeals private▼Davis school board doesn't need to publicly discuss book ban appeals, USBE finds
The Utah State Board of Education has determined that the Davis School District board is not required to hold public discussions of appeals over banned books. The finding resolves questions about how the district handles challenges to library materials, drawing criticism from advocates who argue community input on removals should be transparent.
- 16Shopper finds long-lost Mark Miller cookbook at library book sale▼This was a surprise and very welcome find when I went to the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library Fall Used Book Sa
A visitor to the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library's Fall Used Book Sale in North Dakota came across an unexpected treasure: a cookbook by chef Mark Miller. The buyer says Miller's "Coyote Cafe" was the first cookbook they ever purchased, and they had no idea this later title existed, calling the discovery a welcome surprise.
- 17Library books praised as wonderfully 'socialist' online●You know they have # books at the # library that you can borrow and not pay anything! Wow! Sounds kind of # socialist an
Social media users are joking about libraries as a form of socialism, pointing out that anyone can borrow books for free and return them for others to use. The tongue-in-cheek framing celebrates public libraries as a rare example of shared, tax-funded resources, with one poster saying the idea of free book borrowing sounds 'socialist' and that they love it.
- 18Driver weighing plug-in hybrid after crash totals old Elantra●ok someone hit our old (10yrs) gas hyundai elantra, so likely it’s regrettably time for a change of car. we can’t do our
A motorist says their ten-year-old gas-powered Hyundai Elantra was hit, prompting a reluctant search for a replacement. With no home charging available but public chargers nearby, including at a local library, they are considering a cheap, reliable plug-in hybrid as the most practical option. The post has drawn attention as a relatable dilemma about switching to electrified cars without home charging.
- 19Florida's annual banned books list sparks fresh debate▼Florida’s annual ‘banned book’ list sparks discourse
Florida has released its annual list of banned books, renewing arguments over school library and classroom restrictions. Supporters of the list say it protects students from inappropriate material, while critics, including teachers and free-speech advocates, argue it limits access to literature and disproportionately targets books on race, gender and LGBTQ themes. The debate is drawing national attention to book censorship in US schools.
- 20Campaigners warn libraries are being defunded over books●Did you know that many politicians and far-right groups are attempting to deny your freedom to simply check out a book b
The advocacy group EveryLibrary warns that politicians and far-right groups in the United States are pushing to defund public libraries in disputes over books and programmes, saying people's freedom to check out books is under threat and local libraries could be next. The organisation is urging readers to pay attention to local library funding decisions.
- 21Middletown library adds multilingual books and video games▼Middletown library adds books in nine languages and its first video game collection
A library in Middletown has expanded its offerings by adding books in nine languages along with its first video game collection. The move reflects a broader effort by public libraries to serve more diverse communities and attract younger patrons beyond traditional print lending, positioning the branch as a more inclusive and modern community resource.
- 22Abilene Library Cookbook Club Returns with Harvest Table Theme▼Library's Cookbook Club Returns with "Harvest Table" Theme
The Abilene, Texas public library's Cookbook Club is restarting with a 'Harvest Table' theme, inviting members to prepare and share seasonal, autumn-inspired dishes. The club brings home cooks together to swap recipes and dishes built around each month's chosen cookbook or culinary topic, with the harvest theme marking the fall return.
- 23Florida's annual banned books list reignites debate●Florida’s annual “banned book” list sparks discourse
Florida's annual list of banned books has sparked renewed discussion across the state and beyond. The publication of the list, which details titles removed from schools and libraries, is drawing attention to ongoing debates over censorship, parental rights, and access to literature in public education.
- 24N.K. Jemisin calls generative AI a 'glorified plagiarism machine'●N.K. Jemisin: "The AI [we have] today is a glorified plagiarism machine." (At the # Boston Public Library right now.) Tr
Fantasy author N.K. Jemisin told an audience at the Boston Public Library that today's artificial intelligence is 'a glorified plagiarism machine', a remark now circulating widely among readers and writers. Her comment lands in an ongoing debate over AI systems trained on copyrighted books without authors' consent, with many in the literary community voicing strong agreement.
- 25Measuring CO2 levels as a proxy for indoor air safety●To those who measure CO₂ as proxy for clean air in public places: Have you observed any change in CO₂ levels in retail/o
People in the COVID-cautious community are asking whether carbon dioxide readings in retail stores, offices, libraries, healthcare and government buildings have changed compared with five years ago. CO2 monitors are used as a proxy for ventilation quality and infection risk. The discussion is inviting comparisons of indoor air quality over time, with concern that ventilation improvements made during the pandemic may not have been sustained.
- 26Austrian library lets readers borrow new audiobooks for free●Ich liebe die Arbeiterkammer Bibliothek in Ö. Gestern kam Threshing Day raus. Und weil ich kein Hardcover kaufen wollte,
A reader in Austria says they borrowed the newly released audiobook 'Threshing Day' for free from the Arbeiterkammer library, after finding the ebook waitlist at 56th place and not wanting to buy the hardcover. The post praises the public library service, and the anecdote is drawing attention to how Austrians can access brand-new titles without paying.
- 27Cornell opens up its solar system image library▼Exploring the solar system through Cornell's image library
Cornell University is showcasing a library of images exploring the solar system, according to the Cornell Chronicle. The collection draws on decades of planetary research and spacecraft missions, offering views of planets, moons and other bodies. It highlights the university's long-running role in planetary science and gives the public and researchers access to visual material from across the solar system.
- 28Capcom open-sources RE:Dox serialization library for game engines●Capcom RE:Dox, open source serialization/deserialization for game engines Article URL: https:// github.com/CAPCOM-TD-OSS
Capcom has released RE:Dox, an open-source serialization and deserialization library for game engines, published on GitHub under its open-source organization. The project is being discussed on developer forums, where early reactions are limited but curious, with programmers weighing in on what the tool could mean for engine tooling and data pipelines. It marks another step in Capcom sharing internal game technology publicly.
- 29Justice Amy Coney Barrett helps dedicate Benedictine College's new library▼Justice Amy Coney Barrett helps dedicate Benedictine College’s new library
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett took part in a dedication ceremony for Benedictine College's new library in Atchison, Kansas. The Catholic liberal arts college marked the opening of the facility with the justice as a featured guest. The event drew local coverage, with attention focused on Barrett's continued public appearances at religious-affiliated institutions since joining the Supreme Court.
- 30Book Banners Accused of Targeting Empathy-Themed School Books●At a time of significant violence in America's schools, the worst thing that a child could learn from school is how to b
Library advocacy group EveryLibrary argues that as American schools grapple with significant violence, campaigns to remove books are increasingly targeting titles that teach children empathy and care for others. The group says book banners are framing these values as something children should not learn, and is urging the public to push back against school book challenges.
- 31Swiss libraries put 140 million pages of books online●RE: https:// rbfirehose.com/2026/09/27/univ ersity-of-basel-140-million-pages-of-knowledge-history-accessible-online-fou
Four Swiss libraries, led by the University of Basel, have launched a platform called Books as Data, making roughly 140 million pages of digitised historical texts freely accessible online. The database, available in English at books-as-data.ch, opens centuries of printed knowledge to researchers and the public as machine-readable data.
- 32Library Advocacy Group Rallies American Library Support●Show that Americans love their libraries! 👉 Like 👉 Follow 👉 Share # library # libraries # read # reading # book # books
EveryLibrary, a US library advocacy organization, is running a social media campaign urging Americans to demonstrate public support for libraries through likes, follows and shares. The posts emphasize love of libraries, reading and public library access, using hashtags like #librarylove and #publiclibrary to mobilize readers, authors and literature fans around defending and celebrating American libraries.
- 33EveryLibrary urges readers to spread the word about libraries●Help spread the word! 👉 Like 👉 Follow 👉 Share # library # libraries # read # reading # book # books # librarylove # auth
EveryLibrary, the US library advocacy organization, is asking supporters to like, follow and share its posts to boost awareness of libraries, reading and public library services. The appeal leans on the library-loving community online to amplify its message, with supporters echoing the call across the books and literature conversation.
- 34Utah bans seven more books, total now 44▼Utah bans seven new books, bringing state total to 44 prohibited titles
Utah has added seven new titles to its statewide list of prohibited books, bringing the total number of banned books to 44. The move comes as part of the state's ongoing review of materials available in schools, which has made Utah one of the most active states in restricting library and classroom titles. The decision is drawing attention amid the broader national debate over book bans and content standards in public education.
- 35Library Advocates Rally Support for Libraries and Literacy●Like, follow, and share if you love libraries, literacy, and books! # library # libraries # read # reading # book # book
EveryLibrary, the US-based library advocacy organization, is calling on supporters to like, follow, and share its message in support of libraries, literacy, and books. The appeal promotes its wider campaign for public libraries, reading, and literature, encouraging book lovers to amplify its work across social media and grow its community of library supporters.
- 36Queer Origins finds a home in public libraries▼So good to see QUEER ORIGINS in my local public library! I love spotting the different ways that bookshops and libraries
A reader in Oxford has spotted Queer Origins on the shelves of their local public library, filed under LGBTQ rather than science or history. They note that bookshops and libraries categorise the book differently — science in some places, history in others — and argue all placements are correct. The observation has drawn warm engagement from fellow readers discussing how institutions shelve the title.
- 37Building a personal library where every book gets its ISBN▼On the workbench: giving every book in your library a proper identity. An ISBN behind each title, so a book here can poi
A hobbyist developer is working on a personal library project that assigns an ISBN to every book owned, so each title in the catalogue can be linked to the same edition recorded elsewhere. The idea is to give physical books a proper digital identity rather than simple text entries. The project is being shared openly as work in progress with a build-in-public approach, and it resonates with book and reading communities online.
- 38Library Research Work Leads Staffer Elle Mott to Publish New Book▼Research Leads Library Staff Elle Mott to Author New Book
Elle Mott, a staff member at the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, has authored a new book that grew out of research conducted through her library work. The library highlighted the story, presenting it as an example of how staff research interests can develop into published writing.
- 39Friends of the Library Book Sale Opens October 10▼Friends of the Library Book Sale Opens Saturday, October 10
The Friends of the Library book sale in Ithaca opens to the public on Saturday, October 10. The annual event offers donated and withdrawn books for sale, with proceeds typically supporting library programs and services. Organizers invite bargain hunters and book lovers to browse the wide selection at the opening weekend.
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Bismarck Public Library is holding a used book sale, offering secondhand books to the local community. The event gives residents a chance to pick up affordable reading material while supporting the library. It is a routine community fundraiser, typical of public libraries seeking to clear donated or withdrawn stock.