In Praise of Librarians in Dangerous Times Sarah Weinman on the Awesome Responsibility of the Seekers and Keepers of Truth

I am here for this content.

My new series - Empire With David Olusoga - starts 9pm on BBC Two. Whole series on @bbciplayer.bsky.social from tonight.

A 900-Page Pre-Pantone Guide to Color from 1692: A Complete High-Resolution Digital Scan

“This is an extremely serious and troubling case that raises wider concerns about the academic freedom of staff and students at universities across the UK.” www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Sad and tawdry ending. Imagine all the good things being born into such wealth and privilege could have achieved.

Introductory chapter on the history of paper by Daniel Bellingradt

No worries - AI will answer everything.

Summary of the recent government white paper. Message seems to be on HE as mass training for the workplace.

Truth needs institutions to protect it. A new report warns that UK agencies safeguarding science, health and data are vulnerable to political interference – and lessons from the US show how fragile truth can be. Stephen McNair reports.

Great reading for LIS folks - covers development of LIS related disciplines through to contemporary concerns for information professionals and LIS students.

Libraries through life for the future - a new Libraries Alliance

For those interested in LIS education.

Individual artists and studios should be able to have a blanket opt-out. The onus to prevent/remove deepfakes should be with OpenAI, not artists and original creators.

Tim Berners-Lee >> Somewhere between my original vision for web 1.0 and the rise of social media as part of web 2.0, we took the wrong path. buff.ly/rAcxesP

how #AI is reshaping library services, information literacy, policy, and professional practice across diverse contexts - International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Journal #libraries

Hey, UK! “The Librarians” will air on BBC Four on Oct. 7. @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social

For those accused of having too many books Robinince.com #poetry #poem

Sarah Mullally is named as first female archbishop of Canterbury

Join us on 20 November for the Annual Digital Lecture, a partnership between The National Archives, UK and the School of Advanced Study. The wonderful @nannathylstrup.bsky.social will be speaking about ‘When saving becomes loss: archival memory in the digital age’. Free to register!

New from me: a *free* short version of my Political Quarterly piece on universities... The issue is settled now: the massified and accessible Higher Education system we have spent tens of billions building since the 1970s is coming to an end. (1/2) politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/where-n...

Rachel Reeves pledges a library in every primary school in England

New research may rewrite origins of the Book of Kells, says academic

This documentary looks like powerful stuff. I’m glad the issue of targeting librarians and book bans is finally getting the attention it deserves. Only fascists fear books youtu.be/Ykll4MWltsQ?...

Well I’m going to watch it anyway.

From stunning old webpages to personal archives like ancient DeviantArt drawings, the Wayback Machine preserves art, experiences, and data that might otherwise vanish. Its existence keeps our digital creativity alive—and our memories safe. 💾🎨 #Wayback1T

Sent by Slovenian friend to make me smile amidst the horror ..

If you’d like to find out more about Marie Antoinette’s life either before or after visiting the exhibition, you can listen to me on @gregjenner.bsky.social You’re desd to me www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... or on In our Time with @catrionaseth.bsky.social in 2018 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

💡 "There’s substantial evidence of independent benefits on skills development, self-esteem, sense of wellbeing, civic engagement and openness to diversity." 💬 @bobbyduffy.bsky.social spoke to the Guardian about whether it still pays to go to university ➡️ www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Fanfic can be profitable!

David Bowie's archive opens to the public this week, revealing a treasure trove of unrealized projects and personal items.

Absolute legends: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The Guardian University Guide 2026 – the rankings

Library & Archives Open Day (free) 19 September 2025 When: 10.00 - 16.00 Where: Lasting Impressions Gallery (red zone) Our team have developed four themed displays: 🐋 Whales, science and conservation 🌱 Ordering and naming nature ✏️ Writing from the field ❄️ Polar expeditions #NaturalHistoryMuseum

The term ‘hobbyist’ applied to unfunded research is derogatory. This would seem to be about allowing only academics with grants time to undertake research, and increasing those on teaching only contracts, in order to reduce overall staffing. The result is a much diminished uni sector.

Life needs more cats 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛ There used to be one at the Barbican station in London. I recall replacement kittens but I haven’t seen them in years. More cats!

Uh huh. Why did it take so long?

Resign.

2025 Library Systems Report - platform upgrades, new leadership, and #AI enhancements #libraries via @mbreeding.bsky.social

Short weekend read for fans of the show and anyone crushing on Jackson Lamb for his compelling ‘no figs left to give’ attitude to authority. #SlowHorses #MickHerron

As book banning sweeps across the U.S. at an unprecedented rate, brave librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy. A film by Kim A. Snyder. Opens UK 9/26 @berthadochouse.bsky.social, US 10/03 @filmforumnyc.bsky.social, rollout to follow. Tix: TheLibrariansFilm.com/screenings

‘It’s been quite a ride!’ Melvyn Bragg to step down from Radio 4’s In Our Time after 27 years

The Institute of English Studies & the School of Advanced Study are saddened to announce the death of Ian Willison on 27 August 2025. Ian devoted his time and boundless energy to supporting the IES, which will be forever indebted to him for his vision & generosity. ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...

Here it is! The proceedings from #FanLIS2025 are now up at ideaexchange.uakron.edu/docam/vol12/...! Thank you to all the speakers who contributed to putting this out, and once again making #FanLIS what it is! 🥰🫡🥳

Proceedings from our 5th FanLIS Symposium held earlier this year, 2025. Huge thanks to @ludiprice.bsky.social and Tim Gorichanaz 😎 ideaexchange.uakron.edu/docam/vol12/...

View across the Royal Albert Dock earlier today, looking towards London City Airport. Hard to image the working docks looking at today’s calm expanse of water. It’s one of my favorite places to take a stroll.

Sober reading for the start of September, heralding a new academic year -

Dark matter and information revisited. Gravity and entropy. Einstein and railway timetables. New blog post. theoccasionalinformationist.com/2025/08/29/d...

This post by Mike Olsen is essential reading for LIS students and practitioners. Independent organisation of knowledge is essential to a civil society. The record of humankind should not be blithely handed over to AI or for profit entities. Nobody should control your view of the catalogue.

As universities face financial crises, more economic models of operation are needed. Digital transformation is a key phrase associated with current changes to HE, and recorded, online content will likely become more usual. Face-to-face teaching is resource intensive, even if preferable.