Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 14h

Go Rams! We've never been to Colorado State, what a gorgeous campus!

Mother and daughter enjoying a football game.

1

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 1d

Here's Harper on her favorite spot!

1 2

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 2d

A8: Self-censorship is based in fear. When we operate from fear; we are being inauthentic, we are failing to meet ALL students' needs, and we are giving in to those who would do our kids harm. Books save lives, & it's our duty to proactively curate them for our communities.
#TLSkyChat

1 6

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 2d

Yep. Our new new policy (not yet adopted) limits challenges to parents and caregivers, so it's even more focused. Based on CO state law! #TLSkyChat

3

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 2d

A7: #1 for me is to get out of my office and go build/strengthen relationships with the people I serve. When they know me & I know them, all aspects of the work are easier. They know that I am a competent professional, I have experience, I am reliable, honest, & I do what I say I will do.
#TLSkyChat

3 5

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 2d

I refer to you & your work on this so often!!! 😍😍😍

1

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 2d

A6: Our collection development and reconsideration policies are set up to ensure no single person can remove a material without due process. The book stays in circulation until the process concludes, and many voices contribute at every level. We are transparent and communicative.
#TLSkyChat

1 4

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 2d

Wrote a post about it. Like to reqd it? Here you go: Weeding: The Great Library Divide: Embracing Collection Maintenance with Enthusiasm | AASL Knowledge Quest share.google/HjoDlZpNZSw7...

#TLSkyChat

Weeding: The Great Library Divide: Embracing Collection Maintenance with Enthusiasm | AASL Knowledge Quest

share.google

1 4 4

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 2d

A4: All about student voice & choice. We work really hard to practice responsive collection development, where we actively seek input on what our folks want. The freedom to just exist & NOT read goes hand in hand with the freedom to read, so we work on not being so dang judgemental. #TLSkyChat

a man with a beard has the words judgy much on his face

Alt: a man with a beard has the words judgy much on his face

media.tenor.com

1 2

Reposted by Len Bryan

Awaken Librarian @awakenlibrarian.bsky.social · 2d

A2: The New Kid by Jerry Craft. Worth it because it called attention to a healthy, loving Black family adjusting through awkwardness of middle school. It's worth protecting b/c it was a mirror for Black kids and NOT a trauma-vampire story for our culture. #TLSkyChat

Library Girl @jenniferlagarde.bsky.social · 2d

🔁 ICYMI Here again is question #2 from tonight’s #TLSkyChat!

More info about tonight’s chat can be found at tlskychat.com

Slide labeled “Question #2” for #TLSkyChat. Text reads: “Q2: Share a book that has been challenged but continues to make an impact in your library. Why is it worth protecting?” Left panel lists reminders to use #TLSkyChat, look for Q1–Q3, and start responses with A1–A3. Illustration shows a blue shield with a yellow check mark. Footer says, “Resources can be found at tlskychat.com.”

3 8

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 2d

A3: My most important allies are our campus library staff, who know to immediately call or email me if something goes down. I work closely with our district leadership and executive directors who oversee principals. They come to me regularly to collaborate, & for that I am so thankful!
#TLSkyChat

a man in a red suit shouts team assemble with his mouth open

Alt: a man in a red suit shouts team assemble with his mouth open

media.tenor.com

2

Reposted by Len Bryan

Library Girl @jenniferlagarde.bsky.social · 2d

💬 #TLSkyChat A1. Broadly, I think conversations about censorship need to focus more on readers than on books. As readers we all need different things. Having access to what you need, and the right to choose NOT to engage with what you don't need, is called freedom.

4 7

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 2d

A1: 1 of the points I emphasize is that everyone has 1st amendment rights, including students & authors. I also want our staff to recognize that we have policies & procedures in place per state law & board policy, & we follow them, every time. Also, I'm from Texas, so I don't scare easy.
#TLSkyChat

1 4

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 2d

Hi #TLSkyChat, I'm the Partner of Library Services for Cherry Creek Schools southeast of Denver. I support almost 100 library staff on 68 campuses, & every day is an adventure.

a man says that the squirrels and raccoons were busy and we may have been

Alt: a man says that the squirrels and raccoons were busy and we may have been compromised.

media.tenor.com

1

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 2d

I am feeling lyric #2; been protecting principals, teachers, & librarians from book challenges from the get-go by offering to chair reconsideration committees, providing advice, and making sure everyone follows policy. Especially when they would rather not. #TLSkyChat

a man in a robot costume stands in front of a sign that says ' bull ' on it

Alt: a man in a robot costume stands in front of a sign that says ' bull ' on it

media.tenor.com

1

Reposted by Len Bryan

Library Girl @jenniferlagarde.bsky.social · 2d

Tonight's #TLSkyChat may bring out the trolls. Remember, as I tell kids, online trolls are much more like arsonists than they are bullies. The best way to deal with arsonists is to deprive their fires of oxygen. Don't engage. Block + Report + Move on! #medialiteracy #infolit #tlsky #bannedbooksweek

Infographic titled “Online Trolls: Bullies or Arsonists?” compares two types of online trolls in a purple Venn diagram. “The Bully” wants to harm individuals, cause pain, and may be processing trauma. “The Arsonist” targets groups, seeks fear and outrage, and enjoys watching chaos. Both use personal attacks, repetition, and claims of victimhood. Message below: “Fires need kindling, accelerant, and oxygen to burn. Don’t fuel trolls—block, report, and move on.” Features cartoon bully and arsonist characters.

5 7

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 2d

Join us! #TLSkyChat

Library Girl @jenniferlagarde.bsky.social · 2d

🚀 We’re ready for lift off! Join us for this week’s #TLSkyChat: an hour long chat for authors, educators, teacher librarians and their supporters! BLAST OFF! The fun starts at 8pmET/5pmPT! For more info also checkout tlskychat.com!

1 1

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 3d

Oof, I had not given that a great deal of thought. Maybe I should cancel my flights and drive? It's only 13 hours....

3

Reposted by Len Bryan

Library Girl @jenniferlagarde.bsky.social · 3d

💬 Ready to talk freedom to read? Tomorrow’s #TLSkyChat celebrates #BannedBooksWeek at 8pm EST / 5pm PT! Preview the questions here: www.tlskychat.com/schedule

#TLSky #Librarians #Skybrarians #EduSky

Slide promoting #TLSkyChat on October 8, 2025. Topic: “Banned Books Week.” Includes reminders to use #TLSkyChat, respond to Q1–Q3, and start replies with A1–A3. Text invites discussion on protecting the freedom to read. Resources at tlskychat.com.

9 16

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 4d

This is really important. Our collection development policies might be one of the last ways we can keep this garbage out of our shelves and online collections.

Alex Brown 🇵🇸 (they/them) @bookjockeyalex.bsky.social · 4d

Really want to encourage libraries - especially school libraries - to put no-AI content into your collection development policy. At the very least, if you have a clause in there about requiring accurate information, you can use that to weed out or prevent genAI purchases.

Jack Tripper @chadstanton.blacksky.app · 4d

“When you get a suspicious book, “you look it up to see what else the [author] has written. And you see there's 30 things, and none of them have any reviews, and they were all written in the last two years,” DeMeester-Lane says.”

3 3

Reposted by Len Bryan

Andrea Trudeau, Ph.D. @andreatrudeau.bsky.social · 4d

In 9 days, I'll be heading to St. Louis to attend one of my favorite conferences: #AASL25! If you'll be there, stop by one of my sessions on Friday! I'm honored to be co-presenting with phenomenal librarians! @captainlibrary.bsky.social @mauramadigan7.bsky.social @kelseybogan.bsky.social ky.social

2 5

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 6d

We had between 900-1000 visitors yesterday, all of whom got to experience StarLab, look at some books about space while waiting, and explore our eBooks related to astronomy. All in all, it was a great day for Library Services!

Visitors inside the dome, watching a film

Visitors inside the dome, watching a moon landing video.

1

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 7d

StarLab has been such an amazing addition to our collection. I have it set up for Saturday's STEAM-a-Palooza event. I can't wait to share books, eBooks, and movies about space, astronomy, and much more!

Nugget the stuffed library sloth awaits visitors.

Materials about library services arranged on a table

1 1

Reposted by Len Bryan

That Librarian: Amanda Jones @librarianjones.com · 8d

Censorship is un-American.

Way to go, Kim! @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social

www.cnn.com/2025/10/02/e...

Director of ‘The Librarians": Censorship is ‘un-American’ | CNN

Kim Snyder joins The Lead

www.cnn.com

16 50

Len Bryan @lenbryan25.bsky.social · 9d

I love my job. I'm collaborating with our ELA teacher for an immersive video experience using our StarLab portable planetarium. This is for our online MS & HS, and we have "brick days" where they can choose to come to campus. Stuff like this builds community through shared experiences! #TLSky

Interior of StarLab, showing projector and laptop

2