Overview

• The Verwaltungsgericht Münster ruled that public libraries in North Rhine-Westphalia may attach critical or clarifying labels to books they lend out.
• The case centered on two books labeled by the Stadtbücherei Münster in 2024 for containing controversial claims, including denying the moon landing and the Hiroshima bombing.
• The court emphasized that libraries are not bound by strict political neutrality and can critique content as long as they adhere to factual accuracy.
• An author of one of the labeled books challenged the decision in court but failed; the ruling confirmed the library’s actions as legally permissible.
• The decision is not final, as the author retains the right to appeal to the Oberverwaltungsgericht in Münster for further review.