kelly jensen
@heykellyjensen.bsky.social
Senior Editor at Book Riot. Editor/Author of BODY TALK, HERE WE ARE, + (DON'T) CALL ME CRAZY. Former librarian. Anti-censorship advocate. Yoga teacher. Your favorite infernal witch. She/her. Library Journal Mover & Shaker in 2024.
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kelly jensen
@heykellyjensen.bsky.social
· Nov 10
A massive thread of resources, history, information, and material to help you not only fight and understand book censorship but protect the incredible democratic institutions of public libraries and public education.
This is updated regularly!
This is updated regularly!
Two things that I think would be beneficial to track in our current library attacks/book censorship era that I do not have capacity to do and suspect others who've been doing this for years don't, either.
1. Canadian library budget cuts. There are a LOT.
2. Libraries banning ALA membership.
1. Canadian library budget cuts. There are a LOT.
2. Libraries banning ALA membership.
November 25, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Two things that I think would be beneficial to track in our current library attacks/book censorship era that I do not have capacity to do and suspect others who've been doing this for years don't, either.
1. Canadian library budget cuts. There are a LOT.
2. Libraries banning ALA membership.
1. Canadian library budget cuts. There are a LOT.
2. Libraries banning ALA membership.
Adding to Alex's comment here–I only even watch videos made pre-2023. Websites, pre-2023. etc etc.
It's all over cross-stitch patterns as well. I'm looking only for patterns made pre 2023 at this point. Much of the patterns on etsy are chatgpt generated slop.
AI has been infiltrating knitting and crochet spaces, filling them with useless patterns. Here's why that's happening and what can be done about it.
www.plagiarismtoday.com/2025/11/24/t...
#AI #Knitting #Crochet #FiberArt #Copyright
www.plagiarismtoday.com/2025/11/24/t...
#AI #Knitting #Crochet #FiberArt #Copyright
November 24, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Adding to Alex's comment here–I only even watch videos made pre-2023. Websites, pre-2023. etc etc.
Reposted by kelly jensen
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old.
www.whatimreading.net
November 24, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Reposted by kelly jensen
This is a massive victory and one worth celebrating.
The fight, however, is far from over. We do not know what the actual budget of IMLS will look like in 2026, as it's only funded through January 2026 right now.
We also know Trump's spent IMLS money on propaganda.
bookriot.com/21-attorney-...
The fight, however, is far from over. We do not know what the actual budget of IMLS will look like in 2026, as it's only funded through January 2026 right now.
We also know Trump's spent IMLS money on propaganda.
bookriot.com/21-attorney-...
A Major Court Win for IMLS, Libraries
Trump and his administration are barred from dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services, thanks to a judge's ruling.
bookriot.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:15 PM
This is a massive victory and one worth celebrating.
The fight, however, is far from over. We do not know what the actual budget of IMLS will look like in 2026, as it's only funded through January 2026 right now.
We also know Trump's spent IMLS money on propaganda.
bookriot.com/21-attorney-...
The fight, however, is far from over. We do not know what the actual budget of IMLS will look like in 2026, as it's only funded through January 2026 right now.
We also know Trump's spent IMLS money on propaganda.
bookriot.com/21-attorney-...
Reposted by kelly jensen
AABB has joined Read Freely Alabama, EveryLibrary, PEN America and other organizations in expressing alarm at a new ban on youth access to trans books by the Alabama Public Library Service. Read the full statement
Statement on Discriminatory APLS Code Change
Supporting the Right to Read in All Alabama Libraries
www.readfreelyalabama.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:55 PM
AABB has joined Read Freely Alabama, EveryLibrary, PEN America and other organizations in expressing alarm at a new ban on youth access to trans books by the Alabama Public Library Service. Read the full statement
Did New York Public Library end their free banned books program? Anyone at NYPL know? Seems like it, based on this (& that there hasn't been a new title in 5 months..): www.nypl.org/blog/2023/09...
www.nypl.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Did New York Public Library end their free banned books program? Anyone at NYPL know? Seems like it, based on this (& that there hasn't been a new title in 5 months..): www.nypl.org/blog/2023/09...
Reposted by kelly jensen
A US District Court Judge has issued a permanent injunction in the lawsuit brought by 21 state attorneys general against the Trump administration for dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This means the IMLS cannot be further harmed.
bookriot.com/21-attorney-...
bookriot.com/21-attorney-...
A Major Court Win for IMLS, Libraries
Trump and his administration are barred from dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services, thanks to a judge's ruling.
bookriot.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:15 PM
A US District Court Judge has issued a permanent injunction in the lawsuit brought by 21 state attorneys general against the Trump administration for dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This means the IMLS cannot be further harmed.
bookriot.com/21-attorney-...
bookriot.com/21-attorney-...
It's not just laws about books that are breaking libraries. Several states have passed property tax reforms–or are in the process of passing them–that are dismantling, destroying, and defunding these public institutions of democracy.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
It's Not Just Laws About Books Breaking Libraries. It's Also New Tax Reforms.
Two states have passed property tax cuts that are directly impacting public libraries. Expect to see this happen more.
buttondown.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:16 PM
It's not just laws about books that are breaking libraries. Several states have passed property tax reforms–or are in the process of passing them–that are dismantling, destroying, and defunding these public institutions of democracy.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
Reposted by kelly jensen
Have we no pride in ownership, fellow Americans? There's nothing desirable about letting the superwealthy hold the keys to every nice thing in society. Libraries' public mission will be best served when funded by the public. Us.
November 24, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Have we no pride in ownership, fellow Americans? There's nothing desirable about letting the superwealthy hold the keys to every nice thing in society. Libraries' public mission will be best served when funded by the public. Us.
This still gives them ownership.
They just need to be taxed.
They just need to be taxed.
They can chip in or match.
November 24, 2025 at 2:25 PM
This still gives them ownership.
They just need to be taxed.
They just need to be taxed.
In theory, a good idea.
In practice, that removes the biggest promise of PUBLIC libraries, which is that the public funds them and they remain free and democratic. A billionaire paying for libraries is a billionaire owning the library and dictating what it does or does not do.
We need PUBLIC $$$.
In practice, that removes the biggest promise of PUBLIC libraries, which is that the public funds them and they remain free and democratic. A billionaire paying for libraries is a billionaire owning the library and dictating what it does or does not do.
We need PUBLIC $$$.
Jfc can’t a billionaire fund the fucking libraries?
Mark Cuban? Elon Musk?
Mark Cuban? Elon Musk?
November 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
In theory, a good idea.
In practice, that removes the biggest promise of PUBLIC libraries, which is that the public funds them and they remain free and democratic. A billionaire paying for libraries is a billionaire owning the library and dictating what it does or does not do.
We need PUBLIC $$$.
In practice, that removes the biggest promise of PUBLIC libraries, which is that the public funds them and they remain free and democratic. A billionaire paying for libraries is a billionaire owning the library and dictating what it does or does not do.
We need PUBLIC $$$.
A US District Court Judge has issued a permanent injunction in the lawsuit brought by 21 state attorneys general against the Trump administration for dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This means the IMLS cannot be further harmed.
bookriot.com/21-attorney-...
bookriot.com/21-attorney-...
A Major Court Win for IMLS, Libraries
Trump and his administration are barred from dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services, thanks to a judge's ruling.
bookriot.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:15 PM
A US District Court Judge has issued a permanent injunction in the lawsuit brought by 21 state attorneys general against the Trump administration for dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This means the IMLS cannot be further harmed.
bookriot.com/21-attorney-...
bookriot.com/21-attorney-...
Reposted by kelly jensen
Three states have anti-book ban bills on deck coming into 2026. Here's what those bills look like, how to get involved, and what the advocates behind the recently-passed freedom to read bill in Rhode Island learned through the process.
bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
What To Know & How to Help Pass Three State-Level Anti-Book Ban Bills for 2026: Book Censorship News, November 21, 2025
Three states have anti-book ban bills on deck for 2026. Here's what they are, why they matter, and how you can get involved in their passage.
bookriot.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Three states have anti-book ban bills on deck coming into 2026. Here's what those bills look like, how to get involved, and what the advocates behind the recently-passed freedom to read bill in Rhode Island learned through the process.
bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
This was SO fascinating.
Fascinating read on how a suspicious pitch highlighted a growing problem in freelance journalism: A flood of generative AI that even prestige publications don't catch, complete with fabricated quotes, from scammers who see opportunity in a field so many real humans are struggling to survive in.
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 24, 2025 at 12:20 AM
This was SO fascinating.
Reposted by kelly jensen
“we need to be nicer to men” bro they didn’t let women have their own credit cards til 50 years ago
November 23, 2025 at 10:39 PM
“we need to be nicer to men” bro they didn’t let women have their own credit cards til 50 years ago
Reposted by kelly jensen
A reminder that I'm raising $4k to support @scarleteen.com's staff and volunteer health fund to ensure that sex educators doing some of the BEST sex ed around are able to access health care. In an era of misinfo where most kids don't even get the most basic in school, Scarleteen is critical.
Scarleteen Staff and Volunteer Healthcare Fund
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www.classy.org
November 23, 2025 at 3:50 PM
A reminder that I'm raising $4k to support @scarleteen.com's staff and volunteer health fund to ensure that sex educators doing some of the BEST sex ed around are able to access health care. In an era of misinfo where most kids don't even get the most basic in school, Scarleteen is critical.
Also, my family has never done the full turkey + fixings spread. No one likes doing it, and no one really likes eating it.
We make lasagna every year. Everyone likes it, and you can prep it in advance. There are leftovers for days.
We make lasagna every year. Everyone likes it, and you can prep it in advance. There are leftovers for days.
Actually in the spirit of this conversation, what’s a decision you made about a past Thanksgiving holiday that really paid off? I think people often feel trapped by their lives. Sharing our experiences can liberate us from that sense of claustrophobia.
On the most recent episode of VIBE CHECK, we answer listener questions about Thanksgiving, most importantly “do you go celebrate with the family members you don’t even like?”
November 23, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Also, my family has never done the full turkey + fixings spread. No one likes doing it, and no one really likes eating it.
We make lasagna every year. Everyone likes it, and you can prep it in advance. There are leftovers for days.
We make lasagna every year. Everyone likes it, and you can prep it in advance. There are leftovers for days.
Before my kid was born, my husband went to his folks across the country for the holiday, my family lived a 3 hour drive away, and I elected to stay home (time and $$ to fly wasn't an option).
I went to a movie. It was the first time I went to a movie solo in YEARS and was amazing.
I went to a movie. It was the first time I went to a movie solo in YEARS and was amazing.
Actually in the spirit of this conversation, what’s a decision you made about a past Thanksgiving holiday that really paid off? I think people often feel trapped by their lives. Sharing our experiences can liberate us from that sense of claustrophobia.
On the most recent episode of VIBE CHECK, we answer listener questions about Thanksgiving, most importantly “do you go celebrate with the family members you don’t even like?”
November 23, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Before my kid was born, my husband went to his folks across the country for the holiday, my family lived a 3 hour drive away, and I elected to stay home (time and $$ to fly wasn't an option).
I went to a movie. It was the first time I went to a movie solo in YEARS and was amazing.
I went to a movie. It was the first time I went to a movie solo in YEARS and was amazing.
NERD TWEET ABOUT BIRDS.
It's sounding like we're seeing a snowy owl irruption year, for those who, like me, are seeing a flood of stories of them showing up locally.
Got to see one in person last year, fulfilling a bucket list item. Here's to more.
www.projectsnowstorm.org/what-is-an-i...
It's sounding like we're seeing a snowy owl irruption year, for those who, like me, are seeing a flood of stories of them showing up locally.
Got to see one in person last year, fulfilling a bucket list item. Here's to more.
www.projectsnowstorm.org/what-is-an-i...
What is an irruption? - Project SNOWstorm
Download PDF | Download image Snowy owls come south in unpredictable invasions known as ‘irruptions.’ It’s mostly about food and babies, but we have a lot to learn about this phenomenon. Snowy owl mig...
www.projectsnowstorm.org
November 23, 2025 at 4:45 PM
NERD TWEET ABOUT BIRDS.
It's sounding like we're seeing a snowy owl irruption year, for those who, like me, are seeing a flood of stories of them showing up locally.
Got to see one in person last year, fulfilling a bucket list item. Here's to more.
www.projectsnowstorm.org/what-is-an-i...
It's sounding like we're seeing a snowy owl irruption year, for those who, like me, are seeing a flood of stories of them showing up locally.
Got to see one in person last year, fulfilling a bucket list item. Here's to more.
www.projectsnowstorm.org/what-is-an-i...
Three states have anti-book ban bills on deck coming into 2026. Here's what those bills look like, how to get involved, and what the advocates behind the recently-passed freedom to read bill in Rhode Island learned through the process.
bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
What To Know & How to Help Pass Three State-Level Anti-Book Ban Bills for 2026: Book Censorship News, November 21, 2025
Three states have anti-book ban bills on deck for 2026. Here's what they are, why they matter, and how you can get involved in their passage.
bookriot.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Three states have anti-book ban bills on deck coming into 2026. Here's what those bills look like, how to get involved, and what the advocates behind the recently-passed freedom to read bill in Rhode Island learned through the process.
bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
bookriot.com/right-to-rea...
Reposted by kelly jensen
It's Not Just Laws About Books Breaking Libraries. It's Also New Tax Reforms.
Two states have passed property tax cuts that are directly impacting public libraries. Expect to see this happen more.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
Two states have passed property tax cuts that are directly impacting public libraries. Expect to see this happen more.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
It's Not Just Laws About Books Breaking Libraries. It's Also New Tax Reforms.
Two states have passed property tax cuts that are directly impacting public libraries. Expect to see this happen more.
buttondown.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:07 PM
It's Not Just Laws About Books Breaking Libraries. It's Also New Tax Reforms.
Two states have passed property tax cuts that are directly impacting public libraries. Expect to see this happen more.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
Two states have passed property tax cuts that are directly impacting public libraries. Expect to see this happen more.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
But tell me, did you sail across the Sun?
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
And that Heaven is overrated?
Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star?
One without a permanent scar?
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there?
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
And that Heaven is overrated?
Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star?
One without a permanent scar?
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there?
The screen door slams, Mary's dress sways
Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays
Roy Orbison's singing for the lonely
Hey, that's me and I want you only
Don't turn me home again
I just can't face myself alone again
Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays
Roy Orbison's singing for the lonely
Hey, that's me and I want you only
Don't turn me home again
I just can't face myself alone again
November 23, 2025 at 2:10 AM
But tell me, did you sail across the Sun?
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
And that Heaven is overrated?
Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star?
One without a permanent scar?
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there?
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
And that Heaven is overrated?
Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star?
One without a permanent scar?
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there?
Reposted by kelly jensen
The screen door slams, Mary's dress sways
Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays
Roy Orbison's singing for the lonely
Hey, that's me and I want you only
Don't turn me home again
I just can't face myself alone again
Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays
Roy Orbison's singing for the lonely
Hey, that's me and I want you only
Don't turn me home again
I just can't face myself alone again
November 23, 2025 at 1:42 AM
The screen door slams, Mary's dress sways
Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays
Roy Orbison's singing for the lonely
Hey, that's me and I want you only
Don't turn me home again
I just can't face myself alone again
Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays
Roy Orbison's singing for the lonely
Hey, that's me and I want you only
Don't turn me home again
I just can't face myself alone again
god, I sure fucking hope so.
Current and former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffers are growing increasingly concerned that the work they did slashing government programs and eliminating jobs will come back to haunt them with the possibility of criminal prosecutions.
'Suddenly exposed' DOGE employees fear prosecution after Musk abandoned them: report
Current and former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffers are growing increasingly concerned that the work they did slashing government programs and eliminating jobs will come back to haunt them with the possibility of criminal prosecutions.Worse still is their growing belief that the b...
bit.ly
November 22, 2025 at 9:16 PM
god, I sure fucking hope so.