I was just reflecting yesterday that even in my role, I have participated in changes to search interfaces, specifically the library catalog, that on the surface seem better for students to use, but only because they are easier and easier is not better. Students need to build thinking skills, but

Horrified is one word for it. Many of my students and even my own kids are done with big tech and the constant awareness that everything is watching, listening and recording at all times. Enough already.

Another amazingly written book today. The deftness of imagery through words that are both strong and soft almost knocked me out. Ultraviolet by Aida Salazar

Getting ready for my hot girl summer.

I’m finally going to have the confidence to tell people I’m hot.

How many more times am I going to have to tell students there are no fines or fees as long as they return the book? Late? Okay. Really late? No problem. Just bring it back.

Just finished this. I barely have the words to describe the magical journey this story weaves. It’s sweet and sad and speaks to the harsh experience of budding teen girls with gentleness and whimsy. A must have for middle school.

Today is a day for me. I will protect my boundaries and give myself the time and I space I need to make it through the week ahead. And laundry. I will do laundry, but otherwise the day is for me and me alone. Also, check the kids’ homework, but after homework and laundry, the day is aaaall mine.

Today was soul-filling. 40 middler schoolers in the library celebrating art and visual storytelling for our second annual comic-con event. Seeing these kids embracing creating with their hands and minds, eschewing all AI and delighting in hyping each other up was so beautiful.

Every sticker purchase gets me $2 closer to retiring early. Help make a difference in an exhausted librarian’s life today. feistywaters.com/merch

When I began studying to become a school librarian, I found elements of teaching that seemed to have been missing in my own K-12 education, even though my school district had and still has an excellent reputation. I did well enough in school. I could have done better. In my MLIS program,

I don’t usually do birthday celebrations on here for notable people, but I make an exception for Sir David Attenborough. Happy 100th Birthday to an exceptional human!

I just found out about puddling.cool and I’m obsessed. @puddingviz.bsky.social

My favorite “So you run a ski lodge? Do you just, like, chill during the summer? Must be nice.”

Fresh out the gym and from reading 2384 conspiracy theories. "wE DiDnT gO tO tHe MoOn" "ThEy DoNt WaNt Us tO kNow" Let's settle it! Come learn and do the science with us! Join us. And scientists, if you're not taking up space on social media, try Fervae! Train, post, and cite all from one place.

My views on healthcare: If you’re good as you are, awesome. If not, you should have help. Decisions are between you and your doctor. And, healthcare should not depend on a job or how much money you have.

Good pedagogy and what makes a good teacher hasn’t changed simply because a few billionaires let loose generative AI. Teach someone to use AI, they use AI. Teach someone to read and think, they can use anything.

This was SO much fun!

In the first six years of my career, my position was RIF’d (reduction in force) in two different districts. There are far too many places where too few or even only one school librarian is forced to cover multiple schools and entire districts. And people wonder why there is an info literacy crisis.

Wine in a Star Wars glass, my favorite book and a cool spring breeze- a perfect Friday evening

I agreed to something someone else proposed and I’m starting to wish I hadn’t after seeing an email that just went out. There’s a reason I always ended up taking the lead in group projects.

"The recent change to our course-management system has meant that I need to re-upload every document and assignment and reassign every homework. I will be attending three two-hour training sessions to help me do this." buff.ly/lv7w8kf

I’ve been having some fun with slides for school announcements.

I don’t have the energy to fake interest in word salads today.

This perspective from @emilymbender.bsky.social gets lost far too often. Our tools/systems/nearly everything don’t come inherently and objectively with meaning. Humans make meaning. We create technoloy, assign significance, add emotion through our judgement (or lack thereof).

Today was a day to write.

I can’t tell if I will feel better using the upcoming weekend to spring clean my house or to get a massage. Both can be restorative activities, which I desperately need, and I won’t be able to do both.

I’m reminded of the phase where teachers would tell students they weren’t allowed to use Wikipedia, but there are in fact sound ways to use it well. Abstinence and banning things is not helpful. Educating people, especially very young people, is.

Who dis? www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

I appreciate this perspective not least of all because there is only so much work/industry talk I can take in before I reach my limit. My brain needs diverse engagement and I believe it’s a benefit to my work.

This is the beauty of inquiry-based instructional practice, it supports curiosity and thinking.

A teacher asked me for resources on a topic. I can do it, but need some clarifying info. This will take a discussion and probably also need a lesson. Will I lose her if I can’t deliver what she has in her mind fast enough? This is what info professionals are up against. Good things take time.

Fake news is free. Journalism is behind a paywall. You can access journalism with a library card at almost any library.

18 yrs ago I cringed at hearing a teacher say to a student, “Just Google it,” as if the process of seeking information was completely meaningless. Yesterday I cringed at hearing a teacher say to another, “Just ChatGPT it.” Some days it can feel like fighting a tidal wave. We need to do better

A librarian writes about the importance of serendipity in the research process and how modern tools like search engines and AI limit our opportunities to benefit from it: In Praise of Serendipity cardcatalogforlife.substack.com/p/in-praise-... More for #EduSky #TLSky here: hkperkinson.blogspot.com

This needs to be said… The skittles commercial with the crunch sounds and the twitchy disjointed facial movements both audibly and visually makes me want to break out of my skin.

I texted my husband that things have been somewhat calm today so far and I’m wondering if I jinxed myself or not since I didn’t actually say it out loud, just typed it.

Your students are not seeing the same information. Not because they searched differently. Because platforms decide what rises. Part 2: Who Gets to Know? #TLSky #EduSky open.substack.com/pub/aischool...

When one crochet project doesn’t pan out, it’s ok. When a second doesn’t either, it’s still ok. But when the third won’t work unless you buy more yarn and even then you’re not sure and you simply wanted one satisfying creative crafty thing completed then it’s okay to pour wine and cry for a minute.

Nonchalant animal noises This is what the internet is made for 😭😭🤣🤣

The U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce has advanced H.R. 7661. Here's what you need to know about what the "Stop the Sexualization of Children Act" means for book bannings: #booksky

A goal this past week was to complete a daily positivity/gratitude check. Sometimes remembering there are good things takes a bit effort. It can even be something little, like having 5 min to sit at the table to sip coffee and eat a bite of breakfast before rushing off to work.

My dad (elementary and math teacher) once commented that tests are meant to be a diagnostic tool. Doctors don’t test to diagnose and then just move on. They diagnose to treat and correct. Teachers need to be able to correct through direct support in the learning process.

"AI is here, we can't put the toothpaste back in the tube." When I accidentally squeeze out too much toothpaste, I don't then shove it all in my mouth. I wash it down the plughole. #UKSG2026

About a decade ago, I was starting to shift my thinking around who is in the biggest need of information literacy skills instruction away from kids and teens more towards adults. I haven’t stopped teaching kids, but some days I really wonder who is helping the adults because man they need it too.

I have never had so much technology at my fingertips that can do so little of what I actually want or need. I have one simple task. It’s been 2 hrs. I want to throw my computer out the window. Please send chocolate and wine. Thank you.

It’s too early in the morning this early in the week to be dealing with so much stupidity.

This is the only content I want today.

I have a joke about libraries, but someone who didn’t read it decided it was bad anyway and banned it.

This legislation will stifle kids’ reading and keep certified librarians from doing the essential job they’re paid to do. It’s unconstitutional and wildly overreaching. Please contact your reps and tell them to vote NO on HR7661.