Houston's Book Fairy Brigade is desperately in need of Spanish books, as well as middle grade novels and board books. Every free book put into the hands of a child is an act of resistance AND joy. Books feed the soul, fuel dreams, and offer hope. bit.ly/478Xy38 @txfreedomread.bsky.social

This tragic but excellent article needs to be read by everyone throughout the country. The Republicans want to kill public ed. They are using state takeovers and charter school owning charlatans like Mike Miles (and his abusive NES) to do it. See at what they are stealing from our (soon your) kids!🧵

Livingston Parish library director Michelle Parrish was fired w/out cause after years of harassment by anti-library bullies—enabled by weak leaders. This is an attack on our libraries + First Amendment. Help her fight back: gofund.me/590dbdca

When we started FFTRP during the 21/22 SY, we were hoping our research efforts would lead to a ruling (or law) that would affirm students’ First Amendment rights. While we expect an appeal, the judge’s 50-page order offers freedom strong footing. www.wuwf.org/florida-news...

Texas dems flee to Illinois to block gerrymandering vote: www.nbcnews.com/politics/ele...

“[Y]our voice matters, even when the outcome doesn’t change immediately. In fact, sometimes the most important impact of your testimony isn’t on the vote, it’s on who hears you.” Follow @freedomreadproject.bsky.social and sign up for the newsletter. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/why_speaking...

Like, follow, and share if you love libraries! Take action to support libraries at action.everylibrary.org

**Libraries & Mental Health Survey** I'm updating my research and subsequent talks related to mental health in the library. I'd love insight from library workers of all backgrounds + experiences, and I've got a handy survey. Please take & share widely. Thank you! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Several people have asked what we are doing in Kenya. @slj.com posted an article where we explain what we will be doing if you’re interested! www.slj.com/story/Librar...

magazine.1000libraries.com/this-louisia... Inspiring librarian Amanda Jones turned adversity into advocacy. Read how her stand against book bans sparked nationwide support for the right to read. Protecting the Rights of All Children, Everywhere

Why I’m Not Celebrating the 4th This Year The disappointment I feel toward friends and family who continue to vote for, and cheer on, those destroying my profession—public education and libraries—is overwhelming. These aren’t just “political differences.” (1/7)

Oh, my! George Takei’s new full-color graphic memoir reveals his most personal story of all—told in full for the first time anywhere. My review: #Bookthreads #Bookstagram #BookBlogger #Booksky #ItRhymesWithTakei #GeorgeTakei #TopShelfProductions #ARCReview #GraqphicMemoir #OhMy

Rest assured that here in Illinois, our LGBTQ+ community can be who they want to be. They are safe here. They are celebrated here. They are welcome here. And they are free to love who they love here. No matter the month, I'll always be an ally in the fight for equality for all.

Here is the OG Pride Puppy (plus some alphabet book his person wrote). SCOTUS decision likely coming tomorrow morning 😬... so pleeeeease share all your favorite pride puppy photos with me tonight!

This needs to be better known. People are getting fired over picture book displays.

Short reads? For summer? Groundbreaking. I love sitting poolside with a novella in the dog days of summer, so I decided to pull together some faves for any sort of mood. Dark and subtle, bright and bubbly, gentle and kind. Happy reading!

This speech is what the fuck I'm talking about. Read it to feel like you could run through a motherfucking wall.

Like, follow, and share if you love libraries!

This cause is close to my heart - please sign: sign.moveon.org/petitions/st...

Like, follow, and share if you love libraries!

Hope scrolling>doomscrolling 🥰

Since the state's takeover of Houston ISD, hundreds of school libraries have been turned into joyless, glorified study halls called "Team Centers," where students go to complete more AI-generated worksheets. There are no librarians, no checking out books, no library joy.

👏 A win in Connecticut this week! "This bill gives us what every community deserves: clarity, fairness, and trust... It’s not about who’s right, but the right to be heard, the right to think, and the right to choose in the safety of our libraries." — Ellen Paul #UniteAgainstBookBans

CT is a small state, but a win is a win! We now urge Gov. Lamont to sign SB1271 into law— @ctcasl.bsky.social @agwilliamtong.bsky.social @authorsabb.bsky.social

And you didn’t stop! You continued to call, email, and testify. In the Senate committee hearing for the bill, witnesses against the bill outnumbered supporters 27-2. Readers—parents, librarians, authors, young people—stood up. And this time at least, the Senate backed down.

We know we are on the right side of history. We believe in libraries and the good librarians do. Unfailingly. Unflinchingly. Forever.

What does it look like in 2025 when book banners come for your district? Documents from Nacogdoches ISD in Texas give an updated snapshot. www.tiktok.com/t/ZTj4STDUT/

Are you attending #ALAAC25 in Philly in June? Please join the Read-In on June 27th to call for restoration of school librarians in all Philadelphia schools! #TLSky www.restorephillylibrarians.org/philadelphia... via ‪@everylibrary.bsky.social‬

GREAT news here.

HB3225 is dead, y’all! Thank you to everyone who called, emailed, testified, and spread awareness! The legislative session has been ugly, but we made one good thing happen!

The government can now restrict the books that you and your family are allowed to read in public libraries just because it dislikes or disagrees with the content.

More on this after we get through this final week of make or break in the lege. But this is really, really bad.

Please keep calling your TX state Senators to oppose HB 3225. Thank you!

We always bring receipts. It’s not a matter of if SB 13 will result in more book bans of classics in Texas public schools- but when. @frankstrong.bsky.social

We take heart knowing, again, that we are on the right side of history. We gathered at the Capitol yesterday with readers of all ages for a Read-In. It was heartening to be with families who love books and understand the importance of our first amendment rights. A reminder to all: we are not alone.

HOLD THE LINE GEORGIA! 🇬🇪

Tomorrow HB3225 the public library age restriction bill is up for a vote. Please call your Tx Senators and tell them no to restricting public libraries!

Rep Zwiener, Gámez, Hinojosa all have presented amendments to sort by age appropriateness, strike the unconstitutionality vague definitions etc. #txlege

“We do not protect liberty by censoring.” #txlege

It’s a Read In at the Texas State Capitol. We are voicing our support for our First Amendment rights to Free Speech. And our opposition to a bunch of bad bills in the Texas legislature that will censor kids books in schools & libraries. @txfreedomread.bsky.social

#txlege House lobby this afternoon was brimming with parents, kids and librarians reading to protest SB 13, which is set for a vote today. Bill would add public review period for all new school library purchases and require school board approval of each + ban “sexually explicit” books

People coming together matters. I don’t know that it will convince the TX House to do the right thing, but the connections made, actions taken, and momentum built all matters. @freadomfighters.bsky.social @txfreedomread.bsky.social

My prepared comments for the event.

"As a publisher, a parent, and a reader still astonished and in awe of what books can do, I’m deeply concerned, no exasperated, no, this occasion calls for a precise word, I am enraged about the rising tide of book bans [in libraries." Sarah Jessica Parker

Texans love our libraries and our freedom. We don’t love the government telling us how to parent our kids. Keep calling your House rep to oppose SB 13 and your state senator to oppose HB 3225. Both bills scheduled to be heard today. Staffers are answering calls in Austin.

Texas Republicans just passed a bill forcing every teacher to post the Ten Commandments in their classroom. They passed it on the Sabbath… breaking the 4th Commandment. Maybe they should try following the Ten Commandments before mandating them.