Ashley Stewart 🗳️📚

This is perfection.
Vote for @pauldavis4congress.bsky.social and let’s get rid of Mary Miller.

Hey, as a librarian I have to tell you

You don't have to finish a book that doesn't interest you. Life's too short for that. Not your jam? You have my permission to move on to the next book.

"None Of These Books Are Obscene": Judge Strikes Down Much of Florida's Book Ban Bill In a major win for intellectual freedom, a judge rules against Florida law that led to removing hundreds of books from school libraries.

How about that? A victory for people who actually read.

Partnering for Democracy: Public Libraries and the League of Women Voters YouTube video by EveryLibrary

Join @everylibrary.bsky.social and @lwvus.bsky.social this Wednesday for - Partnering for Democracy: Public Libraries and the League of Women Voters

Learn how public libraries can build strong partnerships with your local LWV for election administration.
Watch Live: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFIs...

I’ve read too much science fiction too many dystopian novels and too many poems on civil rights to be quiet…

STATEMENT: Rejecting Government Speech Doctrine in Public Libraries in Little v. Llano County If the government doesn't like a book in the library for any reason, they can now remove it.

“The assertion by the court that library collection decisions are expressive acts of the government distorts constitutional precedent and the historic mission of libraries in American civic life.”
- via @everylibrary.bsky.social

www.everylibrary.org/rejecting_go...

Librarians are under attack. Books are being banned.
Join author Amanda Jones for a Fireside Chat on the frontlines of censorship and the fight for intellectual freedom.
🎟️ Tickets: www.efundraisingconnections.com/c/HB/Chatwit...
- via @ourlibrarymatters.bsky.social, @supporthbpl.bsky.social

"The Joint Committee on the Library is the oldest continuing committee in Congress - overseeing the Library of Congress dates back to 1806. We urge @bryansteil.bsky.social, the Chair, to convene immediately and hold hearings into the dismissal of Dr. Hayden."
- via @everylibrary.bsky.social

Maryland senator’s attempt to end Naval Academy book ban falls short A heated debate roiled the board of the Academy, which has found itself at forefront of Trump-influenced change in higher education.

“The whole idea of an education at the Naval Academy is to prepare war fighters and make sure they are aware of the world around them and different ideas. We shouldn‘t be scared of midshipmen checking out certain books from the Nimitz Library.”
www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/hi...

Now more than ever, we must show up for the people who show up for us.
🙌🏼 Take a moment this week to thank a public servant. Write a note. Make a post. Send a coffee. Support their work. Their job is to serve the public - it’s our job to stand with them. 4/4

🔹 Federal employees are facing mass layoffs and position eliminations due to budget cuts and restructuring.
🔹 Public sector employment is still down nearly 200,000 jobs compared to pre-pandemic levels, especially in education and local government. 3/4

But this year, recognition means more than appreciation - it means defending the value of public service in a time of rising hostility and political attacks. It's time to act. 2/4

📣 It’s Public Service Recognition Week!
This week, we honor the millions of dedicated individuals who serve our communities at the local, state, and federal levels. From first responders, teachers, and postal workers to public health, social workers, and librarians. 🧵 1/4

The American Bar Association offers powerful tools and resources to bring Law Day to life. Join the movement to protect and strengthen the rule of law:
www.americanbar.org/groups/publi...

Did you know?
📜 The U.S. Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use.
⚖️ The phrase “We the People” wasn’t just symbolic - it was revolutionary. It declared that power comes from the people, not a king or ruling class.

In today’s political climate - marked by rising disinformation and attacks on civil liberties, - recognizing Law Day is necessary. To reaffirm our commitment to a government of laws, not of men, and to ensure that every voice is protected by a fair and equitable legal system.

May 1st is Law Day, a time to reflect on the critical role that law, justice, and the Constitution play in safeguarding our democracy. 🧵

This special edition of The Political Librarian journal by EveryLibrary Institute is an absolute must-read. What does the future look like for our information institutions in the Trump era?
- via @everylibrary.bsky.social

Read this issue for free: journals.library.wustl.edu/pollib/issue...

Army and Air Force libraries are ordered to review books for DEI material Army and Air Force libraries have been told to go through their stacks to find books related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

First it was restricting access to youth and now restricting access to adults. The same individuals who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedoms.
apnews.com/article/dei-...

It’s time to Get Loud for Libraries. 🗣️📚

✍️ Sign the petition: saveimls.org
📞 Call your reps: 202-224-3121
🏛️ Visit their offices
💌 Write letters to your librarians
💳 Get your library card
💸 Donate to your local library
👀 Track bills threatening libraries in YOUR state: everylibrary.org/billtracking

EveryLibrary Condemns the Trump Administration's Termination of IMLS Grants as an Attack on Libraries, Museums, and Archives Everywhere. State Library Agencies and other grant recipients across the country began receiving official notices from the Acting Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services terminating their grants,...

Join the fight for federal funding for libraries and museums at saveimls.org
EveryLibrary @everylibrary.bsky.social Condemns the Trump Administration's Termination of IMLS Grants as an Attack on Libraries, Museums, and Archives Everywhere
Full statement:
www.everylibrary.org/trump_termin...

If @booker.senate.gov can stand and speak for over 12 hours, then you can take your ass to the polling place and vote.
#ElectionDayIllinois #EveryVoteCounts #YourVoteYourVoice #LocalElectionsMatter #LocalElections

Take Action To Save Federal Funding for Libraries! Trump is attempting to destroy federal funding for libraries. We need you to take action today! That's why we made it easy to contact your reps, sign petitions, and learn about the Institute of Museum...

“Neither EveryLibrary @everylibrary.bsky.social nor the EveryLibrary Institute receives IMLS grant funding. We are advocating to save IMLS not for ourselves but for state libraries, our colleagues in museums and archives, and every library and cultural institution.”
saveimls.org

SEND AN EMAIL: Defend the New Hampshire State Library Budget
action.everylibrary.org/defend_nh_st...
- via @everylibrary.bsky.social - the nation’s PAC for libraries

PETITION: Stop Trump's E.O. Attacks on Federal Funding for Libraries In a new executive order, President Trump has targeted the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency charged with distributing congressionally approved funds to state librari...

action.everylibrary.org/eoimls2025

And there it is - threats to cut funding for libraries. Please sign the petition, contact your legislators, and join the @everylibrary.bsky.social network to participate in this nationwide movement with library advocates across the country.

Speak Out For Books! Testifying to State Legislative Committees - PEN America This webinar will go over the basics of book ban-related bills, speaking to legislative committees, and how to strategize comments to effectively get their message across.

📢 Upcoming training session: "Speak Out For Books! Testifying to State Legislative Committees" featuring @penamerica.bsky.social, @everylibrary.bsky.social, and @abfefreeexpression.bsky.social!
pen.org/event/speak-...

'Explicit' Sex Claims ‘Exaggerated,’ Black and LGBTQ+ Characters Overwhelmingly Targeted, New Book Ban Analysis Finds A new PEN America analysis of books banned during the 2023-2024 school year shows which stories were disproportionately removed from shelves — and debunks “exaggerated” claims about books that feature...

“When we strip library shelves of books about particular groups, we defeat the purpose of a library collection that is supposed to reflect the lives of all people,” Baêta added. “The damaging consequences to young people are real.”
people.com/sex-claims-e...

Literacy advocates in Ohio defend difficult texts as they mark Toni Morrison Day Ohio lawmakers and literacy advocates used the birthday of one of America’s most frequently banned authors to defend difficult texts.

“Courts have frowned upon anyone restricting this access just because they don’t like the ideas expressed in a book." “And we the people — Republicans, independents, Democrats, all — overwhelmingly appreciate the local libraries and librarians.”
apnews.com/article/toni...

The drum I've been pounding for four+ years now.

But people think it is the answer because it makes THEM feel good and like they're doing something when, in fact, it's not them doing anything that helps anyone but themselves.

Show the fuck up. Get on the phone. Asses in seats. It's uncomfortable.