Bookshops, Libraries and Book Bans — 2026-09-24
This week: the Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments on the law that led to hundreds of books pulled from school libraries, while Florida's Amendment 3 threatens a $20 million hit to Miami-Dade libraries. In Europe, France's Boulinier is opening its largest second-hand bookshop yet, and Dallas restored library funding after public pushback.
Bookshops, Libraries and Book Bans — 2026-09-24
Top developments
Missouri Supreme Court considers constitutionality of book-removal law
On September 23, the Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of the state law that led to hundreds of books being removed from school libraries. The Missouri Association of School Librarians and the Missouri Library Association sued in February 2023, arguing the law improperly regulates constitutionally protected speech. A ruling could reshape how school book-ban statutes are litigated nationwide.
Miami-Dade libraries warn of $20M loss under Amendment 3
Miami-Dade libraries say they could lose $20 million under the property tax referendum facing Florida voters this November, and warn that 10 of the system's 50 branches could close if Amendment 3 passes. Library leaders are framing the stakes as a matter of "fabric of the community" services ahead of the November vote.
Nassau County to cut Saturday hours and close a branch
The Nassau County Public Library System (Florida) announced that the Fernandina Beach Branch will close on Saturdays beginning October 1, and the Bryceville Branch will close October 29. It's a concrete example of rural and weekend service erosion in US library systems this budget season.
Boulinier prepares its largest second-hand bookshop near Paris
Per ActuaLitté (September 19), the French second-hand specialist Boulinier is preparing a roughly 1,000 m² store in Esmans, near Montereau-Fault-Yonne in Seine-et-Marne — its biggest location yet. The move signals confidence in the used-book segment even as new-book independents in the grande couronne struggle against Amazon and Paris competition.
Kentucky libraries see checkout surge after school cell phone bans
Librarians at a Kentucky high school report book checkouts at rates they haven't seen before, following a districtwide cell phone ban that took effect at the start of the school year. It's a counterintuitive bright spot connecting screen-free policy to library usage.
Local view
- Le Parisien reports that after long negotiations, an agreement was reached at Gibert Joseph Paris on September 14, with the elimination of 24 positions formally approved — a significant restructuring for one of Paris's iconic book groups.
- In Dallas, the Dallas Morning News (via Yahoo) reports the city restored library funding after public pushback, keeping branches open with expanded hours and services planned for January.
- The San Antonio Express-News notes unionized library workers are lobbying City Council against the proposed elimination of 39 library positions amid the city's $158 million budget deficit.
Context & numbers
- PEN America's 2024–2025 index counted 6,870 instances of book bans across 23 states and 87 public school districts — the baseline against which this week's Missouri ruling will be judged.
- Florida led with 2,304 ban instances, followed by Texas (1,781) and Tennessee (1,622).
- France counts more than 3,000 independent bookshops, with around 400 in Paris alone.
- Barnes & Noble has opened 28 stores in 2026 so far and plans dozens more; independent US bookstores saw 422 openings in 2025, up 24% from 2024.
On the radar
- Florida's Amendment 3 vote in November — the decisive date for the threatened $20M Miami-Dade library cut and possible closure of 10 branches.
- Missouri Supreme Court ruling on the book-removal law, expected in the coming months.
- Banned Books Week — expect challenge statistics and protest programming to dominate coverage in early October, following rising challenge counts this year.
- Bay County, Florida is weighing a $90,000 cut to its 2027 library budget, including possible hour reductions — a vote to watch.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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