“Don't tell me what you value, show me your budget, and I'll tell you what you value" ~Joe Biden. America: this ain’t it!!!!

We've had a day to pull a few things together, so here's a thread some more targeted info opposing the potential national book ban just proposed in the House of Representatives.

Here is my opening statement to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee today.

Michigan proud…both winning goals at the 2026 Winter Olympics for the Women’s and Men’s Hockey Gold Medals were scored by Michiganders. Go Megan Keller (Farmington Hills) and Jack Hughes (Canton)!

Love that creatives - authors and illustrators - are being compensated for their work when checked out of libraries! Two thumbs up for Canada Council for the Arts!

Alysa Liu: "THAT'S WHAT I'M FUCKING TALKING ABOUT" 🗣️

Pure JOY!

Why should it be harder for a woman to vote than a man? The Save act disenfranchises millions of women of their legal right to vote and I encourage @slotkin.senate.gov and @peters.senate.gov to vote NO.

If what they say is true about sending ICE to monitor midterm voting locations in key democratic cities (like Detroit), it seems to me that a robust public relations campaign by @jocelynbenson.bsky.social needs to be implemented NOW in Mich. (plus 28 states) to encourage no-excuse absentee voting!

"The only thing more powerful than hate is love."

It should not take a court order to get a toddler out of a prison.

How you can support resistance efforts in Minneapolis through literary activism. That, plus this week's book censorship news: bookriot.com/supporting-m...

We welcome everyone at the library, and we aim to provide spaces where everyone feels safe, respected, and supported. Following recent immigration enforcement activity in Ypsilanti, we want to make sure our community understands our library policies:

From Variety - "The question is: In 2026, does “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” count as a protest song?" YES, I DO BELIEVE IT DOES! youtu.be/e3o5FIXoK84

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free

Stay on offense!

I will be voting no on the DHS funding bill because it lacks necessary reforms to immigration enforcement.

She has used profoundly beautiful language and poignant words to express the sentiment many of us are feeling.

In solidarity with Minneapolis tonight.

I will be voting against the Dept. of Homeland Security funding bill this week. Full statement in the thread below.

Angry, mad and disgusted at all the “alternative facts” - LIES - being shared by our federal governnent officials about the murder of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. My eyes and ears are wide open - truth is as simple as that. I call for a full independent investigation into these killings.

VOTE NO on further funding of ICE @slotkin.senate.gov and @peters.senate.gov. We must stand united against a department and their murdering tactics that don't align, nor represent the morals, values and ethics of Americans.

In solidarity with Minnesota..

The reason that I believe in facts and science is not because I am "liberal" it is because I am "literate." Don't confuse the two.

Riley has served as Michigan state librarian since 2014.

Quietness helps rejuvenate the soul. www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...

Rob Reiner: “Silence in the face of authoritarianism is complicity. Speaking out is a patriotic act. Democracy doesn’t defend itself. It requires participation, vigilance, and courage from ordinary people."

The words are pretty clear to me that loyalty to the Constitution take precedent. Total support for @slotkin.senate.gov

WTF!

Have you signed the petition?

It is stunning and I'll look forward to seeing it once it has been "released" from its imprisonment.

“This is how you do it…”

"The America I love still exists at the front desks of our public libraries.” ― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country

As I was saying…

Book bans don’t “protect” kids; they erase perspectives, silence voices, and narrow our shared imagination. A free society thrives on stories that challenge, unsettle, and expand our thinking. Let’s keep our shelves full, not empty. #FreedomToRead #StopBookBans #IntellectualFreedom #LetKidsRead

We are outta here! Goodbye #Disney, Goodbye #Hulu! Will not support any streaming services/media companies that don't support First Amendment rights!

Use them…

Join the coalition and sign the petition to protect library materials from censorship.

Truth!

Some good news! A federal judge struck down Florida's book ban law (HB 1069) as unconstitutional, ruling it violated First Amendment protections for school libraries. The victory protects authors' rights and students' access to diverse literature. More info: authorsguild.org/news/authors...

📰 "The Michigan Library Association is behind the effort, which calls on officials to stand up for residents’ First Amendment rights and protect the freedom to read in libraries across the state." #MIRighttoRead

A federal judge ruled that canceling 1,400+ NEH grants causes REAL HARM to scholars and the public. The court ordered preliminary relief for all affected grantees. What's next? A possible trial. We’re in this fight for the long haul. Our statement: authorsguild.org/news/the-aut...

Man…that is one MIGHTY show of support!

While the Hartland library’s board will not move forward with a controversial policy to sequester challenged books to a special section or out of view from the general public, ACLU Michigan says they will still monitor the labeling of books for possible misuse. Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social

100% agree!!! LETTER: Libraries shouldn't be political battlegrounds thelivingstonpost.com/letter-libra...

Lining the streets in Howell Michigan at the “No Kings” rally! Well done neighbors and friends! Honk! Honk!

Never give up hope! “No kings!”

"In this ruling, a majority of the Fifth Circuit has embraced a doctrine that not only permits but also constitutionalizes the removal of books from public libraries by government officials for ideological reasons," reads the statement from EveryLibrary.

Michigan Advance has been reporting on the latest front in the effort to ban or restrict access to books, almost always with LGBTQ+ content, at libraries. This new policy of “sequestration” is book banning in all but name.

In case you missed: Following a public outcry, the U.S. Naval Academy returned titles by Maya Angelou, Harper Lee, and others that were purged under Pentagon orders targeting race and gender discourse. (The 19th News) www.slj.com/story/Navy-R...