Libraries

Texas Tech University quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility lawsuit against the NCAA and subsequent temporary injunction allowing him to play in the 2026 season has drawn plenty of attention. Our Samantha Larned reports that includes the Office of Texas Attorney General, which sent a letter to the Big 12 on Thursday, warning the Conference against potential sanctions placed on Texas Tech. Lubbock’s Public Libraries are once again partnering with Reliant Energy to operate as ‘cooling centers’ for residents over the summer. KTTZ reporter Riley Wilson has more. You can find cooling center hours here.

Lubbock Public Libraries’ annual summer reading program begins Monday. Our Samantha Larned reports there are challenges and events for children and adults alike. The Patterson Branch is also hosting a ‘Summer Reading Kick-Off Party’ tomorrow at 1836 Parkway Drive from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

From Smithville to Taylor to Martindale, libraries are offering mental health resources in areas where health infrastructure is scarce.

The U.S. Supreme Court let stand a ruling Monday that allows for the removal of books from a Llano public library. The removal of the books was ruled constitutional earlier this year and this week, the Supreme Court denied the request for a rehearing, effectively ending the years-long legal battle. The Trump Administration will be sending $12 billion to farmers to help them stay in business and compensate for their trade war losses, but Harvest Public Media's Frank Morris reports farmers worry most of the bailout money will go straight to banks and suppliers.

Seven residents launched a challenge in 2022 to the removal of 17 books, which included topics on race and gender. They won a reinstatement of the titles, but lost on appeal.

Bookmarked, based in North Texas, advertises itself as “antivirus for libraries.”

Early this week, Texas Tech’s athletics department announced it would no longer encourage or permit the throwing of tortillas during kickoffs at home football games. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more ahead of another home game this weekend. A 2023 Texas law demanding publishers rate their own books based on sexually explicit content has been declared unconstitutional.

Most of the COVID cases in the U.S. this August were the new Stratus variant. Our reporter Sean Ryan has more on the status of COVID-19 cases in Texas. Yesterday, the City of Lubbock cut the ribbon on a new Book Vending Machine at the Patterson Branch Library. Kids who participate in library programs will have the chance to win a token for a free book from the machine.

September is National Literacy Month and today is International Literacy Day. Our Sean Ryan reports on the nationwide and local push and to strengthen community learning. You can sign up for a card at any of the Lubbock Public Library locations or by visiting the website lubbocklibrary.com. Last week's budget discussion from Lubbock's city council ended with a 2.2% increase to the tax rate for homeowners. The council is expected to hold a final vote on the budget and tax rate in its meeting tomorrow.

SB 412 removes an established legal defense educators could use when it comes to inappropriate material in libraries and classrooms.