Jo Simons (she/her)
@josimons.bsky.social
Dr. Jo, Pākehā, Academic Librarian in Aotearoa NZ, Plant enthusiast, fibre crafter, hoarder of pens, herder of children and cats
Working with Digital Library team at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland, opinions mine not my employers
Working with Digital Library team at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland, opinions mine not my employers
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
I finally got hold of my copy of this book today. It’s so beautiful, I can’t wait to explore more.
And I am not even a gardener!
And I am not even a gardener!
aucklanduniversitypress.co.nz/he-puawai/
Well, since you asked, this has been out for about six weeks.
Well, since you asked, this has been out for about six weeks.
November 29, 2025 at 3:05 AM
I finally got hold of my copy of this book today. It’s so beautiful, I can’t wait to explore more.
And I am not even a gardener!
And I am not even a gardener!
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
Don McGlashan's 2025 Lilburn Lecture is now available to listen to and view. It was an epic and frequently funny journey through McGlashan's life and impressive music career. Check it out 👇👇
www.rnz.co.nz/concert/prog...
www.rnz.co.nz/concert/prog...
Lilburn Lecture 2025: Bodies of Water - Don McGlashan
In his 2025 Lilburn Lecture, New Zealand music icon Don McGlashan talks about how bodies of water have shaped him as an artist and person.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 23, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Don McGlashan's 2025 Lilburn Lecture is now available to listen to and view. It was an epic and frequently funny journey through McGlashan's life and impressive music career. Check it out 👇👇
www.rnz.co.nz/concert/prog...
www.rnz.co.nz/concert/prog...
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
Fun job to get: can design for a new Garage Project beer celebrating the incredible work of old mates Capital Kiwi Project bringing brown kiwi back into the hills of Wellington. Legends
November 29, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Fun job to get: can design for a new Garage Project beer celebrating the incredible work of old mates Capital Kiwi Project bringing brown kiwi back into the hills of Wellington. Legends
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
What a great headline
November 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
What a great headline
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
Minister for Lowering Standards. #NzPol
New cost-cutting measures for wasterwater standards announced
It is hoped the new standards will save up to $830 million over the next 35 years by streamlining wastewater consents.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 28, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Minister for Lowering Standards. #NzPol
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
Hey, gonna shamelessly plug my wares:
Charlie Tangaroa and the God of War is now a year old and, sadly, despite brilliant reviews, has kinda been ignored. It's a bit longer than book 1 but is very exciting
Please buy my book
bookhub.co.nz/p/charlie-ta...
Charlie Tangaroa and the God of War is now a year old and, sadly, despite brilliant reviews, has kinda been ignored. It's a bit longer than book 1 but is very exciting
Please buy my book
bookhub.co.nz/p/charlie-ta...
bookhub.co.nz
November 28, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Hey, gonna shamelessly plug my wares:
Charlie Tangaroa and the God of War is now a year old and, sadly, despite brilliant reviews, has kinda been ignored. It's a bit longer than book 1 but is very exciting
Please buy my book
bookhub.co.nz/p/charlie-ta...
Charlie Tangaroa and the God of War is now a year old and, sadly, despite brilliant reviews, has kinda been ignored. It's a bit longer than book 1 but is very exciting
Please buy my book
bookhub.co.nz/p/charlie-ta...
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
Look, if you're not an expert you wouldn't know, but this chart is bullshit. They could not possibly measure this as 1. How can you tell for sure? There's no reliable automated way. 2. You're not counting the many sites that are blocking crawlers now.
But there's an even more important reason...
But there's an even more important reason...
November 28, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Look, if you're not an expert you wouldn't know, but this chart is bullshit. They could not possibly measure this as 1. How can you tell for sure? There's no reliable automated way. 2. You're not counting the many sites that are blocking crawlers now.
But there's an even more important reason...
But there's an even more important reason...
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
HELLO IT'S BLACK FRIDAY
Instead of a sale this year I'm giving 10% of Black Friday weekend sales to @distributeaid.org for their harm reduction toolkits that provide safe injection supplies to trans people taking hormones.
nora.jewelry
#bsnm
Instead of a sale this year I'm giving 10% of Black Friday weekend sales to @distributeaid.org for their harm reduction toolkits that provide safe injection supplies to trans people taking hormones.
nora.jewelry
#bsnm
November 28, 2025 at 1:48 PM
HELLO IT'S BLACK FRIDAY
Instead of a sale this year I'm giving 10% of Black Friday weekend sales to @distributeaid.org for their harm reduction toolkits that provide safe injection supplies to trans people taking hormones.
nora.jewelry
#bsnm
Instead of a sale this year I'm giving 10% of Black Friday weekend sales to @distributeaid.org for their harm reduction toolkits that provide safe injection supplies to trans people taking hormones.
nora.jewelry
#bsnm
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
We've got a summer of great events and activities taking place at libraries all over the city. Pick up a What's on brochure next time you're at a library to find out more. ^MT
my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/events
my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/events
November 28, 2025 at 2:00 AM
We've got a summer of great events and activities taking place at libraries all over the city. Pick up a What's on brochure next time you're at a library to find out more. ^MT
my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/events
my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/events
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
Discworld QOTD, from Interesting Times
“‘Am I alone in thinking, by the way, that it doesn’t add to the status of the University to have an ape on the faculty?’
‘Yes,’ said Ridcully flatly. ‘You are. We’ve got the only librarian who can rip off your arm with his leg. People respect that.’”
“‘Am I alone in thinking, by the way, that it doesn’t add to the status of the University to have an ape on the faculty?’
‘Yes,’ said Ridcully flatly. ‘You are. We’ve got the only librarian who can rip off your arm with his leg. People respect that.’”
Discworld QOTD, from The Color of Magic
November 27, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Discworld QOTD, from Interesting Times
“‘Am I alone in thinking, by the way, that it doesn’t add to the status of the University to have an ape on the faculty?’
‘Yes,’ said Ridcully flatly. ‘You are. We’ve got the only librarian who can rip off your arm with his leg. People respect that.’”
“‘Am I alone in thinking, by the way, that it doesn’t add to the status of the University to have an ape on the faculty?’
‘Yes,’ said Ridcully flatly. ‘You are. We’ve got the only librarian who can rip off your arm with his leg. People respect that.’”
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen:
- Paul McCartney
- Foo Fighters
- U2
- Supergroove
- Crowded House farewell concert (Sydney Opera House steps)
- Paul McCartney
- Foo Fighters
- U2
- Supergroove
- Crowded House farewell concert (Sydney Opera House steps)
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen:
A random selection
-Elton John/Billy Joel
-Boney M
-Evanescence
-U2
-Guns N Roses
A random selection
-Elton John/Billy Joel
-Boney M
-Evanescence
-U2
-Guns N Roses
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen:
A random selection
- Elton John
- Adele
- Pink
- Ed Sheeran
- James Blunt
A random selection
- Elton John
- Adele
- Pink
- Ed Sheeran
- James Blunt
November 28, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen:
- Paul McCartney
- Foo Fighters
- U2
- Supergroove
- Crowded House farewell concert (Sydney Opera House steps)
- Paul McCartney
- Foo Fighters
- U2
- Supergroove
- Crowded House farewell concert (Sydney Opera House steps)
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
For those in #NZ, please fill in this survey about how you use your local library so that it has actual data to fight back with against naysayers.
www.surveymonkey.com/r/9YRW5C7
www.surveymonkey.com/r/9YRW5C7
November 27, 2025 at 12:34 AM
For those in #NZ, please fill in this survey about how you use your local library so that it has actual data to fight back with against naysayers.
www.surveymonkey.com/r/9YRW5C7
www.surveymonkey.com/r/9YRW5C7
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
📢 Over half were found with either developed nests or evidence of nesting.
👉 Report issues, make suggestions
👉 Report issues, make suggestions
More queen yellow-legged hornets found in Auckland's North Shore
www.rnz.co.nz
November 27, 2025 at 12:52 AM
📢 Over half were found with either developed nests or evidence of nesting.
👉 Report issues, make suggestions
👉 Report issues, make suggestions
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
We're excited to share that University of Otago Wikimedian in Residence, Dr Tamsin Braisher (@thneed.bsky.social), will be continuing her placement in 2026! 🎓
Since mid-2025, Tamsin has been building a bridge between university staff, students, and researchers, and the world of Wikipedia ⬇️
Since mid-2025, Tamsin has been building a bridge between university staff, students, and researchers, and the world of Wikipedia ⬇️
Otago University’s Wikipedian in Residence sets sights on 2026
Official website of the non-profit charitable New Zealand affiliate of the Wikimedia Foundation.
www.wikimedia.nz
November 26, 2025 at 9:54 PM
We're excited to share that University of Otago Wikimedian in Residence, Dr Tamsin Braisher (@thneed.bsky.social), will be continuing her placement in 2026! 🎓
Since mid-2025, Tamsin has been building a bridge between university staff, students, and researchers, and the world of Wikipedia ⬇️
Since mid-2025, Tamsin has been building a bridge between university staff, students, and researchers, and the world of Wikipedia ⬇️
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
Pay-to-crawl systems have emerged as a possible way to help sustain the creation of content online in the wake of AI. However, overbroad use of pay-to-crawl could represent a shift towards a more tightly controlled and monetised content ecosystem.
Read the full brief for more!
buff.ly/h0wdhXS
Read the full brief for more!
buff.ly/h0wdhXS
November 26, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Pay-to-crawl systems have emerged as a possible way to help sustain the creation of content online in the wake of AI. However, overbroad use of pay-to-crawl could represent a shift towards a more tightly controlled and monetised content ecosystem.
Read the full brief for more!
buff.ly/h0wdhXS
Read the full brief for more!
buff.ly/h0wdhXS
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
Also, in case you didn't see this morning's post:
Dec 1st is the advisable deadline if you want to guarantee you'll get your copy of Tiny Moments of Joy before Christmas.
(All prices, inc. shipping are in NZD, which means much cheaper in USD, GBP etc)
www.swashbucklerpress.com/tiny-moments...
Dec 1st is the advisable deadline if you want to guarantee you'll get your copy of Tiny Moments of Joy before Christmas.
(All prices, inc. shipping are in NZD, which means much cheaper in USD, GBP etc)
www.swashbucklerpress.com/tiny-moments...
Tiny Moments of Joy | Swashbuckler Press
Delightful moments captured from people watching in a small city in Aotearoa New Zealand.
www.swashbucklerpress.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Also, in case you didn't see this morning's post:
Dec 1st is the advisable deadline if you want to guarantee you'll get your copy of Tiny Moments of Joy before Christmas.
(All prices, inc. shipping are in NZD, which means much cheaper in USD, GBP etc)
www.swashbucklerpress.com/tiny-moments...
Dec 1st is the advisable deadline if you want to guarantee you'll get your copy of Tiny Moments of Joy before Christmas.
(All prices, inc. shipping are in NZD, which means much cheaper in USD, GBP etc)
www.swashbucklerpress.com/tiny-moments...
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
AND supporting your local library is super important! If you actually DO want books to be available to everyone, the library *already exists* and is staffed by the people who are deep in the trenches of fighting censorship! Supporting the library is doing actual good for your community!
TAPS SCREEN
For like the zillionth time: Libraries are FREE for you, but WE still get compensated for our work!!
For like the zillionth time: Libraries are FREE for you, but WE still get compensated for our work!!
Just saw someone claim that authors who want to be paid for their work are "class traitors" because we "only let the wealthy" read our books, and I think I need to go into the woods to scream into the night for a bit.
It's $5, not your first-born child! I need that $5 for health insurance!
It's $5, not your first-born child! I need that $5 for health insurance!
November 26, 2025 at 8:01 PM
AND supporting your local library is super important! If you actually DO want books to be available to everyone, the library *already exists* and is staffed by the people who are deep in the trenches of fighting censorship! Supporting the library is doing actual good for your community!
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
Every year around Thanksgiving, I see tons of grad students post heartbreaking messages on social media about how their loved ones don’t understand or support their decision to study what seems like something pointless or silly.
Perhaps my American Scientist essay can help!
🧪🌎🦑 #SciComm
Perhaps my American Scientist essay can help!
🧪🌎🦑 #SciComm
“Why Are We Funding This?”
Long-standing myths about “silly science” have contributed to the reckless slashing of government-supported research.
www.americanscientist.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Every year around Thanksgiving, I see tons of grad students post heartbreaking messages on social media about how their loved ones don’t understand or support their decision to study what seems like something pointless or silly.
Perhaps my American Scientist essay can help!
🧪🌎🦑 #SciComm
Perhaps my American Scientist essay can help!
🧪🌎🦑 #SciComm
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
Anyway I’m in Auckland for the next five days: presenting on Wikipedia at the MacDiarmid Institute’s symposium at the Uni, and giving a public talk and Sunday workshop on Waiheke Island in the weekend.
November 25, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Anyway I’m in Auckland for the next five days: presenting on Wikipedia at the MacDiarmid Institute’s symposium at the Uni, and giving a public talk and Sunday workshop on Waiheke Island in the weekend.
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
#librarians #Wikidata #Wikipedia if a library uses Primo VE software then there's a linked data feature they can turn on based on Wikidata. I did an explainer video to show people what it looks like. Lemme know if you see it in the wild! www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S4u...
Wikidata in library catalogues: Introduction to the Primo VE linked data feature
YouTube video by Dr Thneed
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:39 AM
#librarians #Wikidata #Wikipedia if a library uses Primo VE software then there's a linked data feature they can turn on based on Wikidata. I did an explainer video to show people what it looks like. Lemme know if you see it in the wild! www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S4u...
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
Looking for stocking stuffers for Christmas?
Have you considered our Bilingual Story Starter Cards ($19 for a pack of 60), or our "Stories come to life at the Library" tote bags ($9). Both available at your local library. ^MT
Have you considered our Bilingual Story Starter Cards ($19 for a pack of 60), or our "Stories come to life at the Library" tote bags ($9). Both available at your local library. ^MT
November 26, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Looking for stocking stuffers for Christmas?
Have you considered our Bilingual Story Starter Cards ($19 for a pack of 60), or our "Stories come to life at the Library" tote bags ($9). Both available at your local library. ^MT
Have you considered our Bilingual Story Starter Cards ($19 for a pack of 60), or our "Stories come to life at the Library" tote bags ($9). Both available at your local library. ^MT
I do like a puzzle: sudoku, crossword, wordle, jigsaw. My liking of scrabble is more tactile than tactical. computer game knowledge sort of stopped at Diablo II and Morrowind, but I did enjoy those. I no longer have the attention span for complicated board games but they are pretty. #SecretSantaAoNZ
Another day, another chance to learn more about you #SecretSantaAoNZ
November 24, 2025 at 6:03 AM
I do like a puzzle: sudoku, crossword, wordle, jigsaw. My liking of scrabble is more tactile than tactical. computer game knowledge sort of stopped at Diablo II and Morrowind, but I did enjoy those. I no longer have the attention span for complicated board games but they are pretty. #SecretSantaAoNZ
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
Another day, another chance to learn more about you #SecretSantaAoNZ
November 23, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Another day, another chance to learn more about you #SecretSantaAoNZ
I’m a cat person, but mainly indoors cats as otherwise it clashes with my love of native birds. Otters, owls, red pandas. Griffons are awesome mythical creatures but I feel like they’d be hard on the neighbourhood. So would Haast Eagles Lol. #SecretSantaAoNZ
A new question for #SecretSantaAoNZ
Are you a cat or dog person? Pandas? Hippos? Dolphins?Dragons? Chimera? Nessie?
Are you a cat or dog person? Pandas? Hippos? Dolphins?Dragons? Chimera? Nessie?
November 23, 2025 at 8:06 AM
I’m a cat person, but mainly indoors cats as otherwise it clashes with my love of native birds. Otters, owls, red pandas. Griffons are awesome mythical creatures but I feel like they’d be hard on the neighbourhood. So would Haast Eagles Lol. #SecretSantaAoNZ
Reposted by Jo Simons (she/her)
👀
Seasonal Climate Outlook October - December 2025 | Earth Sciences New Zealand | NIWA share.google/YJQeLHGbdxvo...
Seasonal Climate Outlook October - December 2025 | Earth Sciences New Zealand | NIWA share.google/YJQeLHGbdxvo...
Seasonal Climate Outlook October - December 2025
ENSO-neutral (El Niño – Southern Oscillation) conditions remain present in the tropical Pacific, but a La Niña Watch is in effect.
share.google
November 23, 2025 at 4:45 AM
👀
Seasonal Climate Outlook October - December 2025 | Earth Sciences New Zealand | NIWA share.google/YJQeLHGbdxvo...
Seasonal Climate Outlook October - December 2025 | Earth Sciences New Zealand | NIWA share.google/YJQeLHGbdxvo...