Every January, something very special happens in the literary world: a new group of books slips quietly into the public domain. In 2026, works published in 1930 will officially be free for everyone to read, share, adapt, and remix with no permissions, licensing fees, or copyright strings attached.
When a book enters the public domain, it doesn’t fade into the past, it gets a second life! Artists can illustrate new editions, writers can reimagine characters, educators can freely share texts, and readers can access these works online at no cost. Public domain status helps ensure that literature from years gone by remains a living, breathing part of our culture rather than something locked behind paywalls and permissions or lost to the recesses of time.
The “Class of 2026” includes novels, poetry, essays, and other works that reflect the voices and values of their time, as well as some works that seem shockingly modern! Whether you’re discovering these titles for the first time or revisiting old favorites, there’s something especially satisfying about knowing they now belong to everyone.
Enjoy this list of titles entering public domain on January 1, 2026 knowing that they are available to check out from DeKalb Public Library and yours to reinvent however you choose:
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Cimarron by Edna Ferber
A Death in the Family by James Agee
The Defense by Vladimir Nabokov
Destry Rides Again by Max Brand
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
The Secret of the Old Clock, Nancy Drew Mystery #1 by Carolyn Keene
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh
To learn more information about the public domain, and view materials that are already in the public domain, visit: The Public Domain Review.
If you’re interested in learning more about an author who has a book entering the public domain in 2026, attend Ernest Hemingway and the Voice of the Lost Generation at 6:00 on January 21! During this program, the presenter will discuss many of Hemingway’s most important and inspiring works and get a glimpse into one of the most endearing literary minds of the 20th-century. This program will also include a discussion of Hemingway’s life achievements and literary awards, with a viewing of some clips from some of his best-known film adaptations. For more information about this program, contact Tom at (815) 756-9568 ext. 2150 or [email protected].
If you need help finding any of the listed titles or would like to learn more about the public domain, please contact us at [email protected] or 815-756-9568 ext. 2150. We are happy to help!