Georgia Newspaper Drops “Books” from Arts Section Title

In a move that could rile readers, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Arts & Books” section changed its name to the “Arts & Leisure” section for the new year.

According to the paper, there won’t be any change in content, but at least one reader worried about the change. Here’s an excerpt from the paper’s notice: “The Arts & Leisure section will continue to offer all the book reviews and arts features you’ve come to expect, but we’re adding more entertainment coverage, including television, pop music and film. On Page 2 each week you will find our new Leisure Guide.”

The paper has a loyal literary following. In 2007, GalleyCat reported on how the paper eliminated the books editor position that was held by Teresa Weaver, generating an online petition and plenty of controversy. Weaver chose to move on to magazine work. At the time, AJC and ajc.com editor Julia Wallace explained: “We are adding some jobs, merging some, and dropping others … will there be a reduction in the number of reviews? That’s not the goal.”

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