DOGE is shutting down the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This makes up 0.004% of the federal budget, and provides profound value to people in every corner of the country.

I simply am baffled by so many people interested in harming others just to harm them.

FOR MY WASHINGTON STATE RESIDENT FOLLOWERS: Senate Bill 5551 is coming up for a hearing NEXT TUESDAY. And it's asking the legislature to assure that every student has access to a certificated Teacher-Librarian. The funding is already there. but not all districts use the funding in that way.

There is still hope. If there were not, there would be no reason to get up in the morning. There is hope. Sometimes you need to be jarred into finding it, jarred into sharing it. MAYA ANGELOU Poet #BlackHistoryMonth

“The Democrats didn’t do enough on Gaza, so I withheld my vote to make a statement.” “Well, Trump won and now he’s gonna destroy Gaza.” “Yep. We’re paying the price for the Democrats’ incompetence.” “‘We?’ The Gazans are paying the price, not us” Pause. “I needed to make a statement.”

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) told NOTUS that even though what Elon Musk is doing is unconstitutional — “nobody should bellyache about that.” He added: “That runs afoul of the Constitution in the strictest sense. But it’s not uncommon for presidents to flex a little bit...” www.notus.org/congress/tru...

Please join me in supporting Rhea Young, a Texas librarian fired for protecting the right to read. It's a tough time for her right now. If you can, please consider helping out or sharing. gofund.me/83ab39bc

So this is some bullshit. azmirror.com/2025/01/24/r...

“The Librarians doesn’t aim to be a page-turner, just that we still have pages to turn. Reminding us that the freedom to read, learn, and think critically is not a guarantee. It must be fought for.” inbetweendrafts.com/the-libraria...

Lots of bad takes on the "book ban hoax" article from folks who haven't done a lot over the last four years related to book banning. The release is purposeful disinformation, with the intent to make folks on the left hate the DOE and agree it should be shut down. Call it what it is.

Book banning is real, and it is terrorizing teachers, librarians, and students. You do NOT get to gaslight us and claim it was a hoax, you rancid mango.

On my way to Phoenix for American Library Association's LibLearnX! Hope to see some of you there!

You gotta kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight. This track's been on heavy play the last week. youtu.be/7IX4gWkFqvU?...

Fair winds to a man who did his part to make the world a better place.

Do me a kindness! Share this if you love and support your local library & librarians (and remember: that includes your school library & school librarian) 😊📚 Thank you libraries & library workers… for everything ✨💚

To paraphrase Bette Davis, "They say we shouldn't speak ill of the dead, only good. She's dead. Good."

THIS IS HUGE! Researchers at Stanford Medicine have devised an influenza vaccine that prompts immunity to ALL four major flu subtypes AND shows potential against bird flu, indicating a significant advancement in flu prevention and a potential increase in vaccine efficacy. Let’s talk about that! 🧪🧵⬇️

56 Small Tasks to Be Proactive Against Book Censorship in 2025 and Beyond: Book Censorship News, January 3, 2025 bookriot.com/56-small-tas...

“This case is about the fact that words mean things and actions have consequences. Jones explains: We teach our children to report and speak out against bullying, and that is what I am doing.” bookriot.com/louisiana-li...

This is what the incoming admin wants in a nation-wide basis: Remove oversight & monitoring of edu, provide vouchers, and set up for-profit schools to drain public funds into private pockets while simultaneously making the electorate less informed, which perpetuates the cycle of gift & graft.

Absolutely great news!!

Let's help save a queer nonprofit bookstore stay afloat in Provo, Utah. They've been subject to three bomb threats since opening a little over a year ago. Buy some books or audiobooks, go in person if local, and *spread the word* bookriot.com/save-mosaics...

Analysis shows what we have long suspected: #bookbans target our #students’ and #authors’ identities #TLSky #BannedBooks #YouthLibs #EduSky #Skybrarians More #censorship news here: hkperkinson.blogspot.com

Kelly Jensen is my hero. "That current trend is obnoxious and ignorant at best and about making yourself a hero, rather than working to shore up institutions that already exist to support everyone within a community. It plays entirely into the ethos of the far right, rather than resists it."

A good reminder. And, of course, if you want to follow the wave of book bans and know how to fight them, make sure to follow Kelly.

An essential reminder.

A librarian fired for doing a presentation about banned books. Help if you can, and share widely. www.gofundme.com/f/librarian-...

For some reason, my last RT didn't go. First: How to explain book bans to the average person who wants to know -- bookriot.com/how-to-expla... Second: You're wrong about these common book banning myths -- bookriot.com/common-myths...

This guy believes libraries are made "safe" by banning books, especially those with LGBTQ content. Listen to the wisdom of Martha Hickson and just block.

This is an absolutely invaluable set of resources. Profound thanks to Kelly Jensen for putting it together and maintaining it.

This has been the most helpful thing for me: pick one thing. You cannot do it all. That is okay. You need a life too or else life is not worth fighting for. One thing. Go deep. Do it daily. It matters and does good. Add more only if you have capacity.

Regarding the continuing increase of book bans and challenges across the US: They claim it's about "protecting children." It's not. That can be proven. It's about determining who has the right to be heard, and who they want silenced. Always.

I haven't done much with this account yet, but as more and more people flee the hellscape that is That Other Site (which I also pretty much stopped using), I suspect I'll probably start using it more. Welcome, feed-folks!

Just finished testifying in favor of SB 6208, an anti-book ban bill. And let me tell you, the volume of people making statements in opposition far, far outstrippee the people in favor. Yes, even here in bright blue Washington.

Some good news: thehill.com/homenews/sta...

Book banning efforts are NOT a "Texas and Florida" or even "Red state" issue. It's having an effect EVERYWHERE. Please don't be passive. Do you think your area is safe from book banners? It isn't. I promise you.

We are passing along School Library Journal's most viewed coverage of book banning and censorship, which remained front and center in 2023. ow.ly/eayz50QiBWB

Authors, if you think Scholastic's "separate but equal" book fair plan is, perhaps, a BAD idea, please consider signing this open letter to them about it: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

My friend Shawn Harris is brilliant. And she has put together something that may be of interest to many folks here, intersecting as it does between roleplaying games and Jewish identity. Check this out! www.judaismunbound.com/fall-2023-mi...

I've also just learned that my opponent attempted to ban "The Hate U Give" from the district a couple years ago. This is who's trying to take the school board here, just outside Seattle, Washington. And she might win if we don't get out the vote.

7/7 We can beat them. We WILL beat them if we stand together, and we work together, and we refuse to be silent. We can keep them from silencing marginalized voices and we can protect intellectual freedom. But it will take all of us.

6/7 Step up. Help out. Spread the word when you see it happening (again, thanks, Neil). Run for school board (that's what I'm up to these days, while still running my school library). Run for public library board. Show up to board meetings. Be heard.

5/7 And recognize that the ultimate goal of these hate groups like Moms For Liberty isn't to protect children, but to silence the voices of marginalized communities, such as the LGBTQ+ community, and/or the BIPOC community.

4/7 Be aware they're trying to change the dialogue. They don't like calling what they're doing "bans." They'll try to call it other things. Don't let them. It's still banning.