AGP Executive Report

Publishing & Books in Public Life: British Council Library says Chennai’s physical closure drove members online, with subscriptions tripling from ~5,000 to 15,000 after going fully digital. Library Access & Costs: Rhode Island joins a multistate push to rein in e-book licensing costs for libraries, while Kāpiti Libraries moves toward cash-free service and expanding eBook use. International Reading Initiatives: Ukraine’s language push keeps growing—Ukrainian audioguides now operate in five more European countries and new “bookshelves” have expanded to dozens more sites worldwide. Book World & Community: A beloved Te Kamo bookshop is getting a new chapter after its owner’s death, with volunteers forming a trust to keep it running. AI & News Publishing: NewsGuard launches a chatbot that only pulls from rated-reliable sources and promises a revenue share with publishers. New Releases: Dr. Amber Bartlett debuts Balance is a Scam, and Carla Calizaire’s faith novel The Beginning of Her Becoming explores healing after an abusive marriage.

Publishing & Culture Diplomacy: Saudi Arabia inaugurated its pavilion at the Beijing International Book Fair 2026, aiming to spotlight Saudi literature, strengthen translation ties, and boost partnerships with Chinese publishers. Literacy & Education: Malaysia’s Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) marked its 70th anniversary, while the Dewan Rakyat heard updates on Tamil national-type schools and SPM Tamil eligibility. Book Industry & Access: A new global push for direct-to-reader selling is highlighted by Stck.me’s push to help publishers keep margins and own customer relationships. Local Book Life: Meridian Community College scheduled new-student orientation sessions featuring its Eagle’s Nest Bookstore. Community Reading & Events: KVIFF Industry Days expands with KVIFF Central Stage and a new Book-to-Screen literary IP showcase. Language & Identity: Madhya Pradesh universities are replacing “India” with “Bharat” on degrees and marksheets, including at Rani Durgavati University’s convocation. Controversy & Rights: UNBANNED launched a 100-day campaign to spotlight the impact of book banning policies on access to literature.

AI & Publishing: The Beijing International Book Fair spotlighted AI in culture, with NetEase Youdao using tools to generate illustrations for Shan Hai Jing and a broader online publishing showcase. Global Book Rights: Korea’s 2026 K-Book Copyright Market opened in Seoul, matching 100 Korean firms with 100 overseas buyers for rights deals. Literary Lists: New Zealand’s Academy of New Zealand Literature published a Southern Hemisphere Fiction 100 as a response to the Guardian’s “greatest literature” list. Book Culture & Community: A Father’s Day free ebook giveaway and a school workshop blending Victorian ghost stories with writing tips highlight how books keep reaching new readers. Publishing Policy: Nepal says it will draft laws for trade secrets and geographical indications to strengthen its IP regime. Health & Ethics (Book-adjacent): A new push for doctors’ social media ethics is set to be published, aiming to shape online health communication. Controversy in Books: A Netflix documentary and a medical panel challenge the evidence behind Lucy Letby’s convictions.

Publishing & Books: A new roundup from The Critic digs into how books go wrong—from typos to bigger publishing mishaps—using Churchill’s infamous “poop” error as a jumping-off point. Literary Culture: Croatia’s feminist writer Slavenka Drakulic, one of the region’s most translated voices, has died at 76. Race & Language: Elizabeth Pryor’s new book, Something We Said, reframes debates around the N-word toward the racism it signals and the personal impact it carries. AI & Writing: A piece on generative AI description argues that “prompting” is turning a classic literary skill—precise description—into a mass habit. Book Industry Watch: Australia’s publishing pace is under fire as one author says key edits were cut and production rushed. Community Reading: A sanctuary-focused children’s literacy project highlights how books can help immigrant kids feel seen and belong. Local Book Life: Danville Public Library’s summer calendar blends book talks with wildlife programs.

Publishing & Tech: Nigeria’s proposed textbook ranking system is drawing fire from author Ejiro Umukoro, who warns it could raise costs for publishers and parents while Nigeria lacks functional paper mills. AI & Reading Habits: A new debate is heating up over whether ChatGPT will “kill” the self-help book market, as readers look for cheaper, faster summaries. Book Industry & Deals: Prime Day is pushing Kindle Scribe bundles hard, with one deal highlighted at $230 off. Literary Culture: Nepal’s Himalayan LitFest-2027 will focus on nature and travel writing, with plans to dedicate the edition to poet Kavi Shiromani Paudyal and translate selected works into multiple languages. Book World Showcase: Hobart’s MONA has opened a subterranean library, Phrontisterion, with tens of thousands of books and digital “doubles,” including rare editions like Shakespeare’s First Folio. Local Book News: A new independent bookstore, Paragraphs and Pages, opened in Liberty Lake, Washington. New Fiction Spotlight: Cheon Myeong-kwan’s “Accordion” returns to Korean War orphan stories, following his Booker-shortlisted “Whale.”

Publishing & Books: Texas Monthly Press is relaunching with Penguin Random House, aiming for a 2027 lineup that includes new Texas-themed titles and fiction sequels. Faith & Culture: Ken Hinkley’s Modern Psalms blends original poetry with Scripture, positioning the book as a companion for doubt, hope, and everyday struggle. Community Bookshops: Arboreadum Bookshop and Garden opens in Cullman, Alabama, pairing books with a garden space and plans for book clubs and audiobook-focused garden walks. Independent Bookstore Spotlight: Savannah’s E. Shaver, Bookseller lands No. 9 on USA Today’s 10Best independent list for 2026. Global Publishing Presence: The Emirates Publishers Association is pushing Emirati publishing at the Beijing International Book Fair through meetings and partnerships. Controversy in Science Publishing: U.S. Health Secretary RFK Jr. questions a Wayne State professor’s decision to pull a vaccine-related article, demanding a fuller explanation. Literature & Identity: Pride Month events in Madurai released multiple transgender-authored books, spotlighting trans voices in local literary life. Arts & Reading: A new play, “A French Toast,” premieres July 9 and runs through July 19 at a local backyard theater.

Publishing & Buzz: The Critic points to an “old-style” book world losing ground as BookTok and online chatter lift unreviewed titles onto bestseller charts. Literary Awards: The Nibbies (British Book Awards) are set to judge UK publishing achievements with Dame Prue Leith among the panel. Bulgarian Culture: LIK magazine spotlights Stoyan Mihaylovski and Cyril & Methodius Day, with a June 20 presentation in Sofia. Law & Books: LiveLaw & QShala launch “#TheLawChallenge,” a weekly quiz built around Juggernaut’s “Ready for the Law Challenge.” Economics of Poverty: A new Global Justice Report reignites debate over whether growth or redistribution is the path out of poverty. Texas Publishing: Texas Monthly Press relaunches with new titles planned for 2027. West Bengal Day: PM Modi marks Paschimbanga Divas, tying the date to Bengal’s 1947 formation and its cultural legacy. Poetry News: Bangladesh’s Ekushey Padak poet Al Mujahidi dies at 83. Independent Book Culture: A Minneapolis bookstore’s $1 art vending machine lets local artists sell original work for a dollar.

Publishing & Rights: Mantle (Pan Macmillan) acquired Percival Everett’s new novel, described as “profoundly moving,” adding another major rights win to the week’s deal flow. Book Culture & Community: A Lyme library is spotlighting abolitionist David Ruggles with David Ruggles Week (June 22–27), pairing lectures and events with new portraits—an example of libraries using books to recover overlooked history. Indigenous Reading Lists: A roundup for National Indigenous History Month pushes recent titles by Indigenous authors, from Métis-focused fiction to memoir and poetry. Tech, Speech & Apps: Supreme Court filings urge blocking Texas’s age-gating app law, with comparisons to “every bookstore” needing parental consent—another reminder that reading access is increasingly shaped by digital rules. Independent Book Retail: The Wrexham Bookworm launched “mystery book bundles” hidden around town, turning local bookstores into scavenger-hunt hubs for genre-hopping readers. Literary Events: Harvill acquired journalist Orla Thomas’ debut novel In Pieces, due summer 2027.

Book Tech & Reading Tools: QuillBot, Taskade, Scholarcy, Elicit, Litmaps and SciSpace are being pitched as ways to personalize reading lists, summarize research, and speed up literature reviews. Health & Science (Publishing-adjacent): A Brazil team reports a new jackfruit-latex/pomegranate-peel biomaterial plus simvastatin approach that could better treat periodontitis. AI, Books & Learning: A new push argues AI can make reading and research easier, from faster summaries to smarter study workflows. Libraries & Literacy: Bookbanks is launching a Leeds free book hub (and another in Ipswich) to fight the “summer reading slide” for children in food insecurity. Publishing Culture: A new book, “Queer Pregnancy in Shakespeare’s Plays,” reframes how scholars read pregnancy in early modern literature. Community Book Life: Escondido’s renovated public library is nearing completion after a $10M upgrade, with a July move and a cafe/bookstore-style space. Indie Spotlight: LBI Book Swap in New Jersey was named USA Today’s top independent bookstore. Global Book Events: BRICS’ 20th anniversary week in Moscow included a literature and publishing discussion.

Press Freedom Under Fire: Mozambique journalist Albino Sibia’s final moments were broadcast live after he was shot while covering post-election protests, as local groups say violence and silence are deepening. Coastal Policy & Science: North Carolina’s Coastal Resources Commission Science Panel released a report on how oceanfront hardened structures affect sandy, open-ocean shorelines, aiming to guide future shoreline management talks. Small Bookstore, Big Identity: Silver Lake’s tiny Librairie (about 180 square feet) is drawing attention for its intimate setup and neighborhood pull. AI in Publishing & Reading Culture: Boston Children’s Hospital used OpenAI’s o3 model to help diagnose 18 children with rare diseases, a reminder of how AI can support real-world breakthroughs. Book Trade & Rights: Mercier Press acquired Jimmy Crowley’s debut novel, while children’s authors and illustrators launched “We Are Better Than This” to push back against AI in creative work. Literary Protest: Boston-area booksellers are urging readers to buy bell hooks’ “Communion” instead of JD Vance’s similarly titled memoir. Author News: Katherine Rundell celebrated “The Neverfear” with a star-studded party, and Oneworld scooped Nicole Dennis-Benn’s third novel. Global Book Fairs: The UAE opened its Guest of Honour programme at the Beijing International Book Fair, highlighting cultural diplomacy through publishing.

Publishing & Book Fairs: The Beijing International Book Fair opened with 1,700+ exhibitors from 82 countries, and Chinese chain Sisyphe drew crowds with an immersive reading space mixing celebrity signings and AI interactions. Retail & Bookstores: Barnes & Noble is returning to Baltimore with a Harbor East store opening in fall 2026, while Mountain Warehouse is relocating its Oxford branch to the former Waterstones unit at William Baker House. Local Book Culture & Community: Illinois State’s Milner Library launched “Read the Rainbow,” a queer-themed summer reading challenge running through August 21. Books & Translation: A Kashmiri English translation of Shah-e-Hamadan’s governance treatise Zakhirat-ul-Muluk was released in Srinagar, and a Greek event in Athens spotlighted Elias Fragakis’s Bulgaria: The Land of Mirrors. Industry Watch: Spanish publishers are pitching literature as “safe IP” for global screen adaptations, arguing language reach can help films and TV travel farther. Bookshop Spotlight: A Baltimore owner says her Pride window display was vandalized during Pride weekend, sparking community support.

Book Trade & Retail: France’s remaining two Sauramps bookshops in the south have gone into receivership, a reminder of how tough the independent market remains. Publishing Deals: HarperCollins has signed debut novelist Kate Pierce for Weak Flesh, while it also sets a fall release for Gerry Rich’s industry memoir Chasing Hollywood. Rights & Imprints: Faber has acquired Kazuo Ishiguro’s new novel, and HarperNorth has picked up Kate Pierce’s debut. Community Reading: Detroit is Different and Source Booksellers host a Father’s Day live podcast with Desiree Cooper and her anthology Black Summers. LGBTQ+ Culture: Nottingham’s new “Rainbow Quarter” in Hockley is officially unveiled with plaques and murals. International Book Fairs: Saudi Arabia launches a pavilion at the Beijing International Book Fair to boost translation and publishing partnerships. Books & Health Tech: Amazon will let UK readers download and read millions of Kindle books and audiobooks for £0 this summer. Science & Society: A major review links childhood trauma and poverty to brain changes tied to schizophrenia risk, pointing to earlier intervention.

AI + Publishing/Materials: Kolon Industries and the University of Seoul signed an AI-integrated R&D MOU aimed at accelerating “AX” in advanced materials, with the company already using AI for literature research and predictive modeling. Genetics/Healthcare: Australia’s Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia released new nationwide findings on how genetic testing is spreading in clinical care, alongside workforce and service-planning questions. Books + Rights/Indie Awards: J.A. Hoskins’ debut novel Writer-in-Residence won four honors at the 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, including Grand Prize 3rd Place in Fiction. Children’s Lit/Adaptations: BBC Studios and Kadokawa are developing a live-action Kiki’s Delivery Service TV series (10 half-hour episodes), with Irena Brignull writing. Literary Culture: Bloomsday returns June 16, celebrating Joyce’s Ulysses with global readings and Dublin walking tours. Community Book Events: Samizdat Bookstore & Teahouse announced “The Spill,” a live storytelling night with local residents sharing true stories. Health + Reading Audience: New research highlights alcohol’s link to pancreatic cancer and expands the obesity-cancer risk picture—useful context for readers who follow science-backed health reporting.

Publishing & Rights: Faber has acquired Kazuo Ishiguro’s new novel, “Miss Lambert Steps Aboard Danger,” while Penguin Random House’s Dutton will publish John Green’s first adult fiction in nearly a decade, “Hollywood, Ending” (cover revealed). Film-to-page buzz: Ava Reid’s “Lady Macbeth” is headed for a feature adaptation with Emma Donoghue writing and Kari Skogland directing. Book trade & launches: Tiny Tree Books bought actor Robyn Holdaway’s debut picture book; Whitefox appointed Matthew Casbourne head of sales and marketing; Digital Publishing Awards 2026 winners were announced. Reading culture: Berks libraries’ Pages for Pets ties reading minutes to shelter adoptions; Hull’s The Big Malarkey returns with a mystery-themed festival for kids. Community & access: South Africa research highlights how disaster warnings often fail minority-language readers; Quebec Liberals will unveil a French-language plan at a Montreal bookstore. Local governance: Ireland’s council refused planning for a Dundrum drone delivery hub over noise and biodiversity concerns.

Kindle Unlimited Deal: Ahead of Prime Day, Amazon is offering new subscribers free Kindle Unlimited ebooks for 3 months (and Prime members who haven’t tried before), with a separate free 30-day option for non-Prime readers. Juneteenth & Reading Culture: Boston’s Juneteenth celebrations include a City Hall flag-raising and a WBUR game show tied to a book, while Dublin marks Bloomsday with Ulysses-themed tours and reenactments. Publishing & Book Discovery: A University of Arizona graduate certificate in “financial therapy” blends money and mental health—another reminder that books and learning keep expanding beyond traditional classrooms. Book World on the Move: Wildwood Bookery is pairing romance/fantasy titles with local art, and Las Vegas’s first Black-owned bookstore, R.D. Talley Books, is reopening after being forced out of its Strip location. Rare Books & Literary History: A recovered Doves typeface—once thrown into the Thames—has been used for a new poetry print run, and a seized 1933 Ulysses first edition is traced back to Davy Byrne’s book-selling network. Community Libraries: Qatar’s Indian Cultural Centre has launched a new library with thousands of resources for the diaspora.

Book Censorship Watch: A new open database, banned-books.org, maps book bans and challenges across 119 countries, including 46 Nobel laureates and 27 Pulitzer winners. Independent Book Retail: Harvard Book Store is expanding with a 3,500-square-foot Boston location near Faneuil Hall, adding a children’s section, author events, and an adjoining café. Election Info for Readers: Texas election officials remind voters how early voting and Election Day results roll out on the state’s returns portal after polls close. Community & Literacy: Laredo Public Library is recruiting authors for its 2026 book festival, while a local library highlights free adult programs like herb cooking and early American literature talks. Publishing & Culture: A rare first-edition “Wuthering Heights” with original spelling mistakes is headed to auction; meanwhile, Pride-focused book coverage spotlights lesbian fiction and queer reading lists. Memoir Spotlight: A new memoir, “Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge Purge,” brings survivor testimony to the page. World Church News: Burundi elects a new Anglican archbishop and primate, Eraste Bigirimana.