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Renee Grassi

@missreneedomain.bsky.social

270 followers 310 following 190 posts

Librarian | Dreamer | Cat Lady | She/Her | LJ Mover & Shaker 2012 Chicagoland, IL reneegrassi.com Opinions are my own

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Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · Aug 2

I am thrilled & honored to say I’ve accepted the position of Early Learning & Literacy Mananger at Evanston Public Library. Starting 8/11, I’ll be overseeing children’s services Birth-Grade 5. Grateful for this opportunity to reclaim my library joy serving kids & families at such a fantastic library

Photograph of Evanston Public Library three story brick building with green trees and bushes along the sidewalks

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Reposted by Renee Grassi

Becky Calzada @becalzada.bsky.social · 6d

The book banning of Indigenous stories in libraries has impacts on readers| Removal of their stories continues the erasure of histories and contributions of Native Nations and their citizens

Thank you @tracisorellauthor.bsky.social for writing this Op-Ed

www.cherokeephoenix.org/opinion/opin...

OPINION: Banning books erases Native voices and experiences

Book banning is not new. A small minority seeking to decide and limit what the majority can access and read has existed for millennia.

www.cherokeephoenix.org

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Reposted by Renee Grassi

PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 9d

🧵 In 2025, book censorship in the United States is rampant and common. Never before in the life of any living American have so many books been systematically removed from school libraries across the country.

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Reposted by Renee Grassi

PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 9d

"As book bans continue to spread at an unprecedented pace — according to PEN America’s latest report — the writers group is urging the public to speak out to defend the freedom to read at public events nationwide during #BannedBooksWeek and beyond..." pen.org/press-releas...

Speak Out Against Censorship and Speak Up for the Banned Authors that Inspire You During Banned Books Week Oct. 5-11

As book bans continue to spread at an unprecedented pace– according to PEN America’s latest report—the writers group is urging the public to speak out to defend the freedom to read at public events na...

pen.org

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Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · 12d

Squeeeeeeeee! bookriot.com/new-host-of-...

Meet the New Host of Reading Rainbow: Mychal the Librarian

After 20 years, Reading Rainbow is back! The new host is Mychal the Librarian, who has been spreading library joy online for years.

bookriot.com

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Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · 15d

There are no good billionaires. Somewhere, somehow, there’s exploitation.

Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · 15d

Something I remind myself often is that she, too, is a billionaire. Helps put everything into context.

Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · 19d

Oh my!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Banned Books Week @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social · 19d

We are so excited to announce the #BannedBooksWeek honorary chair for 2025: legendary actor/author/activist GEORGE TAKEI! "Please stand with me in opposing censorship, so that we all can find ourselves — and each other — in books.”

bannedbooksweek.org/legendary-ac...

@georgetakei.bsky.social

Photo of George Takei, an Asian American man in a suit standing with folded arms and looking boldly at the camera. Credit: Christopher Appoldt

Reposted by Renee Grassi

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 19d

Delighted to contribute to this article. I got to talk about CROWN, but honestly this is a very good list in and of itself. The readalikes are particularly choice. Well done, Slate! slate.com/culture/2025...

The 25 Greatest Picture Books of the Century

There’s been a revolution in children’s storytelling—and it’s not just that the stories are more diverse.

slate.com

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Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · 29d

Following

Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · Sep 7

This.

Jess Schomberg @schomj.bsky.social · Sep 7

So, librarians, how are we incorporating our knowledge that the news media is engaging in widespread blackouts of current political protests into our reference/instruction work?

Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · Sep 5

@himissjulie.bsky.social

Reposted by Renee Grassi

Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) @wearealsc.bsky.social · Sep 4

"Built to meet families where they are, [the Pop In Play] program directly addresses community needs."

Jaime Eastman shares how her library launched their "Pop In Play" series, a meaningful, flexible, and inclusive play-based program for children and their caregivers, on the ALSC blog.

Pop In Play: Building Flexible Fun for Families

Explore Pop In Play, a drop-in program where children 0-5 build skills, explore, and play with their caregivers and make connections.

www.alsc.ala.org

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Reposted by Renee Grassi

EveryLibrary @everylibrary.bsky.social · Sep 4

Librarians at Pleasure Ridge Park High said it appears more students are reading books this year, even during down time.

JCPS officials say more library books being checked out after cellphone ban

Librarians at Pleasure Ridge Park High School said more students are reading books, even during down time.

buff.ly

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Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · Sep 4

I have my first mammogram today….!! 😬😬😬

Reposted by Renee Grassi

Megan Piontkowski illustration @meganpiont.bsky.social · Aug 30

"How to Report ICE" zines are available for free printable download for these places:
California
Chicago
Colorado
DC Metro Area
Florida
Massachusetts
NC Triangle Area
NYC
Philly
Pittsburgh
Portland
St. Louis Metro Area
Washington State
Zine request form in folder.
drive.google.com/drive/folder...

Hand holding small black and white hand lettered zine titled "How to Report ICE and Help Keep Our Neighbors Safe". Sunflowers in background.

Hand holding open zine. Pages read: "S Size of group, A Actions/Activity, L Location, U Uniforms/Clothes, T Time/Date, E Equipment

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Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · Sep 3

Hey all! Check out this brand new asynchronus online learning course I created for Library Journal! This is first in a series with more courses related to accessibility in the future. Registration and enrollment is available now: course.libraryjournal.com/products/acc...

Accessible Customer Service for Patrons with Disabilities

Media Source Online eLearning Catalog

course.libraryjournal.com

Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · Sep 2

I had the utmost honor of being on the inaugural committee when this award transformed from Great Websites for Kids back in the early 2010s. Submit your suggestion today! More info ⬇️

Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) @wearealsc.bsky.social · Sep 2

The 2026 Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award Committee is seeking suggestions for the most distinguished digital media created for an early learning audience - learn more about submitting your suggestion on the ALSC blog.

Suggest Your Favorite New Digital Media!

Help recognize outstanding Early Learning Digital Media from the U.S. for children ages 2-8. Make your suggestions today!

www.alsc.ala.org

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Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · Sep 1

September is #DeafAwarenessMonth. Here’s a throwback to my @wearealsc.bsky.social post from way back in 2018 talking an amazing all-ages partnership program I had the honor of working on with Metro Deaf School in St. Paul, MN for Dakota County Library 🤟 www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2018/10...

American Sign Language Celebration

Five years ago, I wrote an ALSC blog post about using American Sign Language in the Library. Revisiting the topic five years later, we see there are now more public libraries expanding services and pr...

www.alsc.ala.org

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Reposted by Renee Grassi

Roxane Gay @roxanegay.bsky.social · Aug 26

We are creating a Spanish language section on The Rumpus, for original creative work written in Spanish and are looking for a volunteer editor for this section. If this could be you, please send a brief letter of interest to [email protected] by Tuesday, September 2nd!

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Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · Aug 24

🔥🔥🔥🔥

Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · Aug 23

Lean in! 🌟

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Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · Aug 22

🫠 what about your most listened to guest?

Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · Aug 22

Your first guest? Then and now?

Reposted by Renee Grassi

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · Aug 22

Illinois is launching a first-of-its-kind legal hotline for LGBTQ+ individuals — Illinois Pride Connect.

As the only state in the nation that will provide free legal advice to protect the LGBTQ+ community, we'll help fight ignorance with information and cruelty with compassion.

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Renee Grassi @missreneedomain.bsky.social · Aug 19

Right?! 🥰