Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Kathy Lester

kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 29d

**NEW**

Today, the ACLU of South Carolina filed a lawsuit on behalf of public school students and school librarians. They're challenging the constitutionality of the state's book banning law and a memo outlining the state's content censorship policy.

bookriot.com/aclu-sc-laws...

Image of lady justice beside a stack of books.

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Kathy Lester @kathylester.bsky.social · Oct 6

Join me at Policy as an Advocacy Tool: Tips for Booksellers, Librarians, and Community Advocates publicschoolstrong.controlshift.app/events/polic...

Policy as an Advocacy Tool: Tips for Booksellers, Librarians, and Community Advocates

Policy can be a powerful tool when fighting censorship in bookstores, libraries, and other places communities rely on to access information. Join experts in building and implementing policies for book...

publicschoolstrong.controlshift.app

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Kathy Lester @kathylester.bsky.social · Jul 29

Was stunned to hear this news. Thank you for your work & best wishes on your next endeavor.

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Kathy Lester @kathylester.bsky.social · Jun 30

Congratulations!!!

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Reposted by Kathy Lester

American Libraries magazine @amlibraries.bsky.social · Jun 28

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer opened ALA's 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia with advice for young adults, from handling bullies to admitting when you're wrong. #ALAAC25

Tools of Empowerment | American Libraries Magazine

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer opens ALA's 2025 Annual Conference in Philadelphia with a discussion of her young adult memoir, True Gretch.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org

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Reposted by Kathy Lester

ALA Public Policy & Advocacy @librarypolicy.bsky.social · Jun 28

How can YOU Show Up #ForOurLibraries? We've got you covered. Here are three steps you can take RIGHT NOW at ala.org/showup

1: Speak out, tell Congress to Fund Libraries

2: Spread the word, share the campaign with your community

3: Help sustain ALA's work, because the fight isn't free

#ALAAC25

Attendees sitting in a presentation at ALA Annual. A screen on the right details three ways to show up for our libraries.

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Reposted by Kathy Lester

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · Jun 28

The applause says it all. Thank you, Dr. Carla Hayden. #ALAAC25

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Kathy Lester @kathylester.bsky.social · Jun 3

I looking forward to connecting with school library colleagues at #aasl25. Honored to be presenting with Molly Dettmann! #L4L

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School Library Journal @slj.com · May 27

Harassment Crisis!
24% of school librarians were harassed over books this year—30% at high schools. When did protecting young minds become a contact sport?
www.slj.com/story/Nearly...
#slj.com #librariesforeveryone #assaultonbooks #fREADomtoread #librariansunderffire

Nearly a Quarter of School Librarians Have Experienced Harassment Over Books | SLJ Censorship Survey

Twenty-four percent of school librarians have been harassed this past year over books or displays in their library. That’s according to a recent SLJ survey, which found the rate even higher among high...

www.slj.com

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Kathy Lester @kathylester.bsky.social · May 22

Join me at People’s Town Hall 7th CD with special guest Sen. Elissa Slotkin midems.controlshift.app/events/7th-c...

People’s Town Hall 7th CD with special guest Sen. Elissa Slotkin

Join us for the People’s Town Hall in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District with Senator Elissa Slotkin and Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet on Friday, June 6th to tell your stories about how you ...

midems.controlshift.app

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Reposted by Kathy Lester

Amy Hermon @slupodcast.bsky.social · May 16

#librarian Christine Beachler and Dr. Hoeve share their strategies for fighting book banners. #library Special offer from Junior Library Guild
apple.co/4di138F

Under Attack and Fighting Back

Podcast Episode · School Librarians United with Amy Hermon · 05/16/2025 · 1h 15m

apple.co

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Reposted by Kathy Lester

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · May 15

For 225 years, the Library of Congress has collected America’s stories and kept Congress informed. The American Library Association stands with America’s library.

The Library of Congress belongs to Congress and the American people. [Logos: Show up for our libraries - American Library Association]

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That Librarian: Amanda Jones @librarianjones.com · May 13

Another librarian is standing up for herself! If you feel led to do so, consider giving up a snack/treat this week and donating that $5 to my friend Christine.

www.gofundme.com/f/legal-supp...

Donate to Legal Fees for Librarian Christine Beachler, organized by Michelle Vanallsburg

No one should be consistently attacked for doing their job as a schoo… Michelle Vanallsburg needs your support for Legal Fees for Librarian Christine Beachler

www.gofundme.com

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Reposted by Kathy Lester

School Library Journal @slj.com · May 9

Outrage and Calls to Action After President Trump Fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden

Members of Congress, authors, and librarians express their anger over Hayden's removal.

www.slj.com

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American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · May 9

NEW: ALA salutes Dr Carla Hayden for her exceptional service to the nation as the Librarian of Congress. We are deeply disappointed in Dr Hayden's abrupt & unjust dismissal last night, an insult to the scope & breadth of her work.

Read ALA Pres. Cindy Hohl's statement: www.ala.org/news/2025/05...

The American Library Association praises servic of Dr. Carla Hayden, decries 'unjust dismissal' of Librarian of Congress. [Image of Dr. Carla Hayden standing in the stacks in a library]

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George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · May 8

Save Elmo!

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Reposted by Kathy Lester

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · May 7

We need EVERY library advocate to raise their voice in support of library funding. Take action NOW, call Congress to #FundLibraries: bit.ly/Call2FundLibraries

Time is running out to Fund Libraries next fiscal year. Congress MUST act to include libraries in the next federal budget. #ForOurLibraries

Fund Libraries: Tell Congress to invest in libraries. ALA American Library Association, #FundLibraries.

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Reposted by Kathy Lester

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · May 6

NEW: A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled that the gutting of the Institute of Museum & Library Services is likely unlawful. This is the SECOND federal court to rule against the slashing of the only federal agency dedicated to library funding.

Learn about ALA's own legal case: ala.org/IMLS-lawsuit

Second federal judge rules against dismantling IMLS. In response to a lawsuit from 21 state Attorneys General, a federal judge in Rhode Island has ruled that the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services is likely illegal. This is the second federal court to rule against the slashing of the agency, following a ruling in ALA’s separate legal case in Washington. Show up for our libraries. ALA American Library Association.

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American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · May 2

🚨 Today, a federal court granted a temporary restraining order to halt the administration’s dismantling of IMLS—a direct result of the lawsuit filed by ALA and @afscme.bsky.social.
www.ala.org/news/2025/05...

#ForOurLibraries #FundLibraries

Federal Court halts dismantling of IMLS in ALA lawsuit. U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia grants temporary restraining order.

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Mychal Threets @mychal3ts.bsky.social · Apr 26

Happy Independent Bookstore Day 📚

Not everyone can always get to their library. It’s important for kids, for people to build their home libraries. To discover books they love so much they reread them over and over and over again.

Enter one of the library’s greatest friends… the indie bookstore 💛

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Malinda Lo @malindalo.bsky.social · Apr 25

I'm glad local NPR is covering the pro-book ban law under consideration in New Hampshire, but it's frustrating that it continues to present "both sides" as if one of those sides is not totally lying. THERE IS NO "TRIPLE-X STUFF" IN SCHOOLS. They should say that. www.wbur.org/news/2025/04...

New Hampshire lawmakers debate a book ban that could punish teachers, librarians

A bill to restrict or ban student access to some books puts New Hampshire smack in the middle of a major battle in America's culture wars.

www.wbur.org

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Reposted by Kathy Lester

Hilda Weisburg @hildakw.bsky.social · Apr 18

And the students are fighting back.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Students at Pentagon schools sue Hegseth over book bans on race and gender

Lawsuit argues that culling library books prevents children from learning about health, hygiene, biology and abuse

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Kathy Lester

ALA Public Policy & Advocacy @librarypolicy.bsky.social · Apr 18

Today, Rhode Island library advocates attended the first hearing in a lawsuit filed by 21 state Attorneys General to halt the President's dismantling of the Institute of Museum & Library Services.

Thank you to the Attorneys General showing up #ForOurLibraries.

Use your own voice: ala.org/showup

Picture of Ed Garcia of Cranston Public Library, Rhode Island State Librarian Karen Mellor, and other advocates standing in front of a federal courthouse in Providence with attorneys representing the Rhode Island Attorney General.

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Reposted by Kathy Lester

School Library Journal @slj.com · Apr 18

A lawsuit filed against Rockford (MI) Public Schools (RPS) over 14 library books described as “sexually explicit” has been dismissed by the Court of Appeals. (Wood TV)

www.slj.com/story/Studen...

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Reposted by Kathy Lester

U.S. Senator Jack Reed @reed.senate.gov · Apr 10

Libraries are for everyone!

I oppose the Trump Admin’s efforts to ban books, eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), & slash funding for public libraries that would cut services.

Let’s keep libraries free, accessible & welcoming to all!

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