Terry Parris Jr.
@terryparrisjr.bsky.social
Currently a JSK Fellow at Stanford riding my bike. I'm also founder of the Library Newsroom Project. I'm also a teacher and librarian. Fmr: Public Square Editor at Headway, New York Times; Deputy Editor at ProPublica; Engagement Director at THE CITY; WDET.
Pinned
JSK names 16 journalism fellows for 2025-26
Journalism leaders and innovators will pursue individual projects as well as opportunities for collective action that responds to accelerating threats to independent media.
jsk.stanford.edu
I'm so grateful and so excited and can't wait to meet everyone!
More to come, and more to say about what I’ll be thinking about over the next year. But yes, it will involve libraries, something I’ve been thinking about for the last *five* years.
jsk.stanford.edu/news/jsk-nam...
More to come, and more to say about what I’ll be thinking about over the next year. But yes, it will involve libraries, something I’ve been thinking about for the last *five* years.
jsk.stanford.edu/news/jsk-nam...
Reposted by Terry Parris Jr.
Libraries are the best, and I love projects that get them and more community members involved in reporting and sharing the news that people need most. Proud my students in the engagement journalism program at CUNY helped plant the sees for the Sunset Park Sun!
I wrote about public libraries as spaces of civic solidarity, common knowledge, and public infrastructure — all endangered by commercial and federal saboteurs
Extralibrary Loan: Making the Civic Infrastructure We Need
Amid a war on public knowledge, libraries are pushing outward, enlarging the commons through new configurations of civic and creative life.
placesjournal.org
October 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Libraries are the best, and I love projects that get them and more community members involved in reporting and sharing the news that people need most. Proud my students in the engagement journalism program at CUNY helped plant the sees for the Sunset Park Sun!
Exciting to see our work in the lead image!
In attacking libraries, Donald Trump is waging a war on public knowledge. Such pressures make the core mission of libraries harder, yet rather than retreat, libraries can push outward, enlarging the commons through new configurations of civic and creative life.
From @shannonmattern.bsky.social:
From @shannonmattern.bsky.social:
Extralibrary Loan: Making the Civic Infrastructure We Need
Amid a war on public knowledge, libraries are pushing outward, enlarging the commons through new configurations of civic and creative life.
placesjournal.org
October 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Exciting to see our work in the lead image!
Reposted by Terry Parris Jr.
The anger and despair can feel all-consuming, but I'm hoping that this can be a source of encouragement — a reminder that we can support and defend these local institutions and their broader networks of solidarity
I wrote about public libraries as spaces of civic solidarity, common knowledge, and public infrastructure — all endangered by commercial and federal saboteurs
Extralibrary Loan: Making the Civic Infrastructure We Need
Amid a war on public knowledge, libraries are pushing outward, enlarging the commons through new configurations of civic and creative life.
placesjournal.org
October 29, 2025 at 1:03 PM
The anger and despair can feel all-consuming, but I'm hoping that this can be a source of encouragement — a reminder that we can support and defend these local institutions and their broader networks of solidarity
Reposted by Terry Parris Jr.
"But we also lend ourselves to the library — committing our attention, our time, our presence at board meetings, our tax dollars and donations — enlarging the commons and participating in the political project of making an informed society." 💕
I wrote about public libraries as spaces of civic solidarity, common knowledge, and public infrastructure — all endangered by commercial and federal saboteurs
Extralibrary Loan: Making the Civic Infrastructure We Need
Amid a war on public knowledge, libraries are pushing outward, enlarging the commons through new configurations of civic and creative life.
placesjournal.org
October 29, 2025 at 2:07 PM
"But we also lend ourselves to the library — committing our attention, our time, our presence at board meetings, our tax dollars and donations — enlarging the commons and participating in the political project of making an informed society." 💕
Honored that the Library Newsroom, and the work we're doing in Sunset Park and beyond, was featured in such an important piece of work. Thank you @shannonmattern.bsky.social!
I wrote about public libraries as spaces of civic solidarity, common knowledge, and public infrastructure — all endangered by commercial and federal saboteurs
Extralibrary Loan: Making the Civic Infrastructure We Need
Amid a war on public knowledge, libraries are pushing outward, enlarging the commons through new configurations of civic and creative life.
placesjournal.org
October 29, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Honored that the Library Newsroom, and the work we're doing in Sunset Park and beyond, was featured in such an important piece of work. Thank you @shannonmattern.bsky.social!
Here’s a nicely reported piece from Ellie Brown about how public libraries are under growing political and financial threat—especially under the 2nd Trump admin—but remain essential, deeply trusted community institutions.
She also highlights the Library Newsroom Project!
medium.com/advanced-rep...
She also highlights the Library Newsroom Project!
medium.com/advanced-rep...
What The White House Doesn’t Understand About Libraries
As IMLS grants dwindle, public libraries are having a harder time facilitating interlibrary loans and filling holes in staffing. Still…
medium.com
June 12, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Here’s a nicely reported piece from Ellie Brown about how public libraries are under growing political and financial threat—especially under the 2nd Trump admin—but remain essential, deeply trusted community institutions.
She also highlights the Library Newsroom Project!
medium.com/advanced-rep...
She also highlights the Library Newsroom Project!
medium.com/advanced-rep...
"Blanche has no experience working in libraries or archives, according to his public profile. Now he will be running the largest one in the world."
Experience: No record on file
www.npr.org/2025/05/12/n...
Experience: No record on file
www.npr.org/2025/05/12/n...
The President has named a new Acting Librarian of Congress. It's his former defense lawyer.
Todd Blanche, a former personal lawyer for President Trump, is now acting Librarian of Congress. According to his public profile, Blanche has no experience working in libraries or archives.
www.npr.org
June 3, 2025 at 12:34 AM
"Blanche has no experience working in libraries or archives, according to his public profile. Now he will be running the largest one in the world."
Experience: No record on file
www.npr.org/2025/05/12/n...
Experience: No record on file
www.npr.org/2025/05/12/n...
Reposted by Terry Parris Jr.
Gun violence is preventable. Journalists can make a difference. The Survivor Connection is a new service intended to help those reporting on gun violence take a more informed approach by centering the survivor community.
The Survivor Connection | Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting
The Survivor Connection is a new tool that helps reporters put the survivor at the center of their coverage.
survivorconnection.org
May 31, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Gun violence is preventable. Journalists can make a difference. The Survivor Connection is a new service intended to help those reporting on gun violence take a more informed approach by centering the survivor community.
Just finished my MLIS at Pratt (on May 20). I’m officially a librarian now (!). Didn’t expect the Open Newsroom I launched in 2019 would lead here: LIS theory, oral history, youth civic work, neighborhood bulletins—even some urban planning. Grateful for the ideas, approaches & people I met.
May 31, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Just finished my MLIS at Pratt (on May 20). I’m officially a librarian now (!). Didn’t expect the Open Newsroom I launched in 2019 would lead here: LIS theory, oral history, youth civic work, neighborhood bulletins—even some urban planning. Grateful for the ideas, approaches & people I met.
Reposted by Terry Parris Jr.
Streetsblog's social media team, led by Engagement Editor Emily Lipstein, received the Deadline Club's award for digital video reporting on Thursday night! buff.ly/IG9d2qD
And the Winner Is...: Streetsblog's New Video Team Honored with Deadline Club Award - Streetsblog New York City
Streetsblog's social media team, led by Engagement Editor Emily Lipstein, received the Deadline Club's award for digital video reporting on Thursday night.
nyc.streetsblog.org
May 16, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Streetsblog's social media team, led by Engagement Editor Emily Lipstein, received the Deadline Club's award for digital video reporting on Thursday night! buff.ly/IG9d2qD
Three things:
1. Excited to spend time thinking about how journalism and libraries can come together in deeper ways (beyond just tabling).
2. IMO this is especially timely, given the threats facing both journalism and libraries.
3. I really need a new headshot.
So grateful for this opportunity!
1. Excited to spend time thinking about how journalism and libraries can come together in deeper ways (beyond just tabling).
2. IMO this is especially timely, given the threats facing both journalism and libraries.
3. I really need a new headshot.
So grateful for this opportunity!
Meet Terry Parris Jr., Public Square editor at Headway, a longform journalism initiative from The New York Times. He has also launched several journalism projects, including MISSING THEM, ProPublica’s first engagement team, and the Library Newsroom Project. Welcome to JSK, Terry! buff.ly/Y0dhqDv
May 14, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Three things:
1. Excited to spend time thinking about how journalism and libraries can come together in deeper ways (beyond just tabling).
2. IMO this is especially timely, given the threats facing both journalism and libraries.
3. I really need a new headshot.
So grateful for this opportunity!
1. Excited to spend time thinking about how journalism and libraries can come together in deeper ways (beyond just tabling).
2. IMO this is especially timely, given the threats facing both journalism and libraries.
3. I really need a new headshot.
So grateful for this opportunity!
Reposted by Terry Parris Jr.
lol. she thinks it's a town lending library?
Reporter: The president fired the Librarian of Congress. Why?
Leavitt: There were quite concerning things she had done at the Library of Congress in the pursuit of DEI and putting inappropriate books in the library for children.
Leavitt: There were quite concerning things she had done at the Library of Congress in the pursuit of DEI and putting inappropriate books in the library for children.
May 9, 2025 at 7:35 PM
lol. she thinks it's a town lending library?
We had another fun — and productive — evening in Sunset Park! We talked assignments, field guides, design, reporting. We laughed, ate dinner, and planned June’s issue.
More to come.
Thanks for swinging by, @shannonmattern.bsky.social!
More to come.
Thanks for swinging by, @shannonmattern.bsky.social!
Another Library Newsroom meeting tonight — so heartening to hear how everyday folks navigate local bureaucracy, tap local contacts to investigate their stories (when will the rec center re-open?!), and to watch them translate their neighborhood identity into a graphic design
May 7, 2025 at 4:20 AM
We had another fun — and productive — evening in Sunset Park! We talked assignments, field guides, design, reporting. We laughed, ate dinner, and planned June’s issue.
More to come.
Thanks for swinging by, @shannonmattern.bsky.social!
More to come.
Thanks for swinging by, @shannonmattern.bsky.social!
Reposted by Terry Parris Jr.
What do these 16 journalists working on some of the biggest issues in media have in common? They’re all part of the 2026 JSK Journalism Fellowship. 👏👏 Please help us welcome them to Stanford! buff.ly/8efUD6V
May 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
What do these 16 journalists working on some of the biggest issues in media have in common? They’re all part of the 2026 JSK Journalism Fellowship. 👏👏 Please help us welcome them to Stanford! buff.ly/8efUD6V
I'm so grateful and so excited and can't wait to meet everyone!
More to come, and more to say about what I’ll be thinking about over the next year. But yes, it will involve libraries, something I’ve been thinking about for the last *five* years.
jsk.stanford.edu/news/jsk-nam...
More to come, and more to say about what I’ll be thinking about over the next year. But yes, it will involve libraries, something I’ve been thinking about for the last *five* years.
jsk.stanford.edu/news/jsk-nam...
JSK names 16 journalism fellows for 2025-26
Journalism leaders and innovators will pursue individual projects as well as opportunities for collective action that responds to accelerating threats to independent media.
jsk.stanford.edu
May 6, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I'm so grateful and so excited and can't wait to meet everyone!
More to come, and more to say about what I’ll be thinking about over the next year. But yes, it will involve libraries, something I’ve been thinking about for the last *five* years.
jsk.stanford.edu/news/jsk-nam...
More to come, and more to say about what I’ll be thinking about over the next year. But yes, it will involve libraries, something I’ve been thinking about for the last *five* years.
jsk.stanford.edu/news/jsk-nam...
I have this dream of creating a puppet show based on our community district needs assessment reports here in NYC.
Maybe this summer in Sunset Park? We need more puppet-forward journalism.
shelterforce.org/2025/04/29/a...
Maybe this summer in Sunset Park? We need more puppet-forward journalism.
shelterforce.org/2025/04/29/a...
Art: "The Parade," Works of Social Commentary by Philly-Based Spiral Q
Puppets, banners, and more—the Philly-based group Spiral Q helps organizations respond to social issues with art.
shelterforce.org
May 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I have this dream of creating a puppet show based on our community district needs assessment reports here in NYC.
Maybe this summer in Sunset Park? We need more puppet-forward journalism.
shelterforce.org/2025/04/29/a...
Maybe this summer in Sunset Park? We need more puppet-forward journalism.
shelterforce.org/2025/04/29/a...
Public space matters.
In East Harlem, safe and welcoming places like community centers played a role in reducing violence.
"Experts say the community centers and resident cooperation are just as crucial in driving down shootings as law enforcement is."
gothamist.com/news/how-com...
In East Harlem, safe and welcoming places like community centers played a role in reducing violence.
"Experts say the community centers and resident cooperation are just as crucial in driving down shootings as law enforcement is."
gothamist.com/news/how-com...
How community activists, police and residents drove down shootings in East Harlem
A yearslong collaboration has helped reduce gun violence in the neighborhood to its lowest level since 2019, city data shows.
gothamist.com
May 6, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Public space matters.
In East Harlem, safe and welcoming places like community centers played a role in reducing violence.
"Experts say the community centers and resident cooperation are just as crucial in driving down shootings as law enforcement is."
gothamist.com/news/how-com...
In East Harlem, safe and welcoming places like community centers played a role in reducing violence.
"Experts say the community centers and resident cooperation are just as crucial in driving down shootings as law enforcement is."
gothamist.com/news/how-com...
Reposted by Terry Parris Jr.
NEW from PP:
This 25-year-old DOGEr fire most of the CFPB -- including its ethics team.
And he owns stocks likely to benefit from the agency's demise.
www.propublica.org/article/doge...
By Jake Pearson
This 25-year-old DOGEr fire most of the CFPB -- including its ethics team.
And he owns stocks likely to benefit from the agency's demise.
www.propublica.org/article/doge...
By Jake Pearson
A DOGE Aide Involved in Dismantling Consumer Bureau Owns Stock in Companies That Could Benefit From the Cuts
Gavin Kliger helped oversee mass firings at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau while holding stock in companies that experts say likely stand to benefit from dismantling that agency — a potentia...
www.propublica.org
April 29, 2025 at 5:44 PM
NEW from PP:
This 25-year-old DOGEr fire most of the CFPB -- including its ethics team.
And he owns stocks likely to benefit from the agency's demise.
www.propublica.org/article/doge...
By Jake Pearson
This 25-year-old DOGEr fire most of the CFPB -- including its ethics team.
And he owns stocks likely to benefit from the agency's demise.
www.propublica.org/article/doge...
By Jake Pearson
A bit while ago, I found a '70s press release in the La Guardia & Wagner Archives—the official NYCHA archive—announcing winners of a tenant-led newsletter contest. I’ve been researching physical, community-led newsletters ever since.
So this was awesome to read: www.bklynlibrary.org/blog/2025/04...
So this was awesome to read: www.bklynlibrary.org/blog/2025/04...
Linewaiters' Gazette: Early Years of the Park Slope Food Coop's Newsletter | Brooklyn Public Library
Mastheads from the Linewaiters' Gazette from various years, including latest (center) from the publication's online instance, 2025. In 2013 Brooklyn Public Library’s archive, the Bro
www.bklynlibrary.org
April 22, 2025 at 2:13 PM
A bit while ago, I found a '70s press release in the La Guardia & Wagner Archives—the official NYCHA archive—announcing winners of a tenant-led newsletter contest. I’ve been researching physical, community-led newsletters ever since.
So this was awesome to read: www.bklynlibrary.org/blog/2025/04...
So this was awesome to read: www.bklynlibrary.org/blog/2025/04...
I started reading @jonathanhaidt.bsky.social a few years ago in my teen engagement class at @pratt.edu. Has been required reading since.
www.afterbabel.com/p/school-pol...
www.afterbabel.com/p/school-pol...
April 22, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I started reading @jonathanhaidt.bsky.social a few years ago in my teen engagement class at @pratt.edu. Has been required reading since.
www.afterbabel.com/p/school-pol...
www.afterbabel.com/p/school-pol...
Reposted by Terry Parris Jr.
Noticed a bunch of these ornate gold medallions slapped all over the Oval Office. We found em on Alibaba. “High-density Home Decoration Polyurethane Appliques Ornament PU Foam Veneer Accessories” from seller Guangzhou Homemax Decorative Material Limited.
sherwood.news/power/shop-t...
sherwood.news/power/shop-t...
April 15, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Noticed a bunch of these ornate gold medallions slapped all over the Oval Office. We found em on Alibaba. “High-density Home Decoration Polyurethane Appliques Ornament PU Foam Veneer Accessories” from seller Guangzhou Homemax Decorative Material Limited.
sherwood.news/power/shop-t...
sherwood.news/power/shop-t...
If you want to talk about the journalism pipeline, it starts here.
If you want to talk about how journalism can rebuild relationships with community, it starts here too.
I’ve been lucky to work with Press Pass NYC on a few things, and I deeply respect the work they do.
www.cjr.org/feature-2/st...
If you want to talk about how journalism can rebuild relationships with community, it starts here too.
I’ve been lucky to work with Press Pass NYC on a few things, and I deeply respect the work they do.
www.cjr.org/feature-2/st...
The Newest Reporting Recruits
A New York City program wants to foster student journalism. It’s as vexed by reader engagement as the professionals are.
www.cjr.org
April 15, 2025 at 5:50 PM
If you want to talk about the journalism pipeline, it starts here.
If you want to talk about how journalism can rebuild relationships with community, it starts here too.
I’ve been lucky to work with Press Pass NYC on a few things, and I deeply respect the work they do.
www.cjr.org/feature-2/st...
If you want to talk about how journalism can rebuild relationships with community, it starts here too.
I’ve been lucky to work with Press Pass NYC on a few things, and I deeply respect the work they do.
www.cjr.org/feature-2/st...
Reposted by Terry Parris Jr.
Further dismantling of our public institutions.
Just got word from my college roommate - who is the state archivist for the state of South Dakota - that due to the DOGE shutdowns of IMLS, they can no longer fund InterLibrary Loan in SD.
This means exchange between libraries, ability to get books delivered across the system, is gone as of 4/30.
This means exchange between libraries, ability to get books delivered across the system, is gone as of 4/30.
April 15, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Further dismantling of our public institutions.
Reposted by Terry Parris Jr.
People are running around looking for compost bags...Some scientists have bought their own soap and cleaning supplies.
A snapshot of the chaos at one NOAA lab as contracts for basic services expire. My latest:
www.propublica.org/article/noaa...
A snapshot of the chaos at one NOAA lab as contracts for basic services expire. My latest:
www.propublica.org/article/noaa...
NOAA Scientists Are Cleaning Bathrooms and Reconsidering Lab Experiments After Contracts for Basic Services Expire
A Seattle lab has lost janitorial services, hazardous waste support, IT and building maintenance as it waits for the Commerce Department secretary to personally approve all contracts over $100,000.
www.propublica.org
April 11, 2025 at 5:58 PM
People are running around looking for compost bags...Some scientists have bought their own soap and cleaning supplies.
A snapshot of the chaos at one NOAA lab as contracts for basic services expire. My latest:
www.propublica.org/article/noaa...
A snapshot of the chaos at one NOAA lab as contracts for basic services expire. My latest:
www.propublica.org/article/noaa...
2025 Deadline Club scholarship apps are open for undergrad & grad J students in the NYC area. Due April 28. Award is $2,500!
I'm VP (Student Affairs) for the Deadline Club, NYC’s SPJ chapter, & helping run the program. Help spread the word. DM w/ Qs. Details: www.deadlineclub.org/2025-scholar...
I'm VP (Student Affairs) for the Deadline Club, NYC’s SPJ chapter, & helping run the program. Help spread the word. DM w/ Qs. Details: www.deadlineclub.org/2025-scholar...
2025 Scholarships Announcement – Deadline Club
www.deadlineclub.org
April 14, 2025 at 4:31 PM
2025 Deadline Club scholarship apps are open for undergrad & grad J students in the NYC area. Due April 28. Award is $2,500!
I'm VP (Student Affairs) for the Deadline Club, NYC’s SPJ chapter, & helping run the program. Help spread the word. DM w/ Qs. Details: www.deadlineclub.org/2025-scholar...
I'm VP (Student Affairs) for the Deadline Club, NYC’s SPJ chapter, & helping run the program. Help spread the word. DM w/ Qs. Details: www.deadlineclub.org/2025-scholar...