Megan Sanks
@msanks.bsky.social
she / her / hers
queer/bisexual,
Youth Services Librarian,
Paddington Bear Stan
queer/bisexual,
Youth Services Librarian,
Paddington Bear Stan
Reposted by Megan Sanks
It’s wild, especially because not only do graphic novels provide visual scaffolding for words kids may not be familiar with, they also engage *more* of the brain (bringing in visual processors) all while teaching kids the most important lesson: Reading Can Be Fun.
I have a high school teacher friend who freely lends and gifts graphic novels to her students. Often it's the first book they've read. And it's shocking how often they come back and tell her that a parent or another teacher openly mocked them for reading a graphic novel. What are they so afraid of?
January 6, 2026 at 11:16 PM
It’s wild, especially because not only do graphic novels provide visual scaffolding for words kids may not be familiar with, they also engage *more* of the brain (bringing in visual processors) all while teaching kids the most important lesson: Reading Can Be Fun.
Reposted by Megan Sanks
PSLN is seeking volunteers. After attending reference volunteer training, you can remotely answer reference questions mailed to us from people incarcerated in correctional facilities around the country. plsn-nyc.tumblr.com/be-a-volunteer
Volunteer for reference
Attend a Reference Training:
The best way to get involved with this project is to attend a virtual volunteer training and learn how to answer letters. These are hosted online, and require a signifi...
plsn-nyc.tumblr.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:50 PM
PSLN is seeking volunteers. After attending reference volunteer training, you can remotely answer reference questions mailed to us from people incarcerated in correctional facilities around the country. plsn-nyc.tumblr.com/be-a-volunteer
Reposted by Megan Sanks
We also have to make reading less "precious" ie we need to make it clear that there are many ways to "read" and for example that audiobooks count as books.
January 6, 2026 at 11:35 PM
We also have to make reading less "precious" ie we need to make it clear that there are many ways to "read" and for example that audiobooks count as books.
Reposted by Megan Sanks
Beginning 2022, I started having arguments with people who didn't experience the loss of a loved one to COVID & associate "lockdown" with sourdough starters & WFH rather than Zoom funerals.
I just had to accept that we did not have a shared reality, nor were they willing to remember.
I just had to accept that we did not have a shared reality, nor were they willing to remember.
there’s a thread on reddit right now called “was COVID really that bad?” and it is interesting to read people’s accounts five years out
there seems to be a collective trauma response where people (outside of healthcare workers) don’t remember how many people died
someone called it anticlimactic
there seems to be a collective trauma response where people (outside of healthcare workers) don’t remember how many people died
someone called it anticlimactic
January 6, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Beginning 2022, I started having arguments with people who didn't experience the loss of a loved one to COVID & associate "lockdown" with sourdough starters & WFH rather than Zoom funerals.
I just had to accept that we did not have a shared reality, nor were they willing to remember.
I just had to accept that we did not have a shared reality, nor were they willing to remember.
Reposted by Megan Sanks
goodnight, and remember: library late fees suck. they simply discourage library use. you should be glad if your library abolished them, and if it hasn’t, you should tell them it should. 📚
January 3, 2026 at 3:57 AM
goodnight, and remember: library late fees suck. they simply discourage library use. you should be glad if your library abolished them, and if it hasn’t, you should tell them it should. 📚
Reposted by Megan Sanks
More people really need to read There Are No Accidents.
Safety systems should work WITH people's natural impulses especially in context when they are potentially panicking and overwhelmed.
Nobody should have to be looking for the backup lever to escape a vehicle.
Safety systems should work WITH people's natural impulses especially in context when they are potentially panicking and overwhelmed.
Nobody should have to be looking for the backup lever to escape a vehicle.
January 2, 2026 at 6:28 PM
More people really need to read There Are No Accidents.
Safety systems should work WITH people's natural impulses especially in context when they are potentially panicking and overwhelmed.
Nobody should have to be looking for the backup lever to escape a vehicle.
Safety systems should work WITH people's natural impulses especially in context when they are potentially panicking and overwhelmed.
Nobody should have to be looking for the backup lever to escape a vehicle.
Reposted by Megan Sanks
One thing I wrote about here is how technology has made buses *way* more convenient while techno-futurists were obsessed with flying taxis and self-driving cars.
January 2, 2026 at 2:17 PM
One thing I wrote about here is how technology has made buses *way* more convenient while techno-futurists were obsessed with flying taxis and self-driving cars.
Reposted by Megan Sanks
My newsletter Giving Circle will end 2025 having donated nearly $38,000 to dozens of projects and mutual aid. Grateful to everyone who contributes in lieu of paying for the newsletter which is not monetized. We'll keep going together in 2026.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
2025 Giving Circle - List of People and Groups
2025 Giving Circle - https://ko-fi.com/prisonculture List of People and Groups January to November - total donated $33,387.83 so far South Bay Mutual Aid Care Club - https://hcb.hackclub.com/donati...
docs.google.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:31 PM
My newsletter Giving Circle will end 2025 having donated nearly $38,000 to dozens of projects and mutual aid. Grateful to everyone who contributes in lieu of paying for the newsletter which is not monetized. We'll keep going together in 2026.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Megan Sanks
the US will do anything but redesign roads to make speeding harder.
Oh, well, when you say it like that, how could I or anyone possibly object, it seems as inevitable as it does innocent, and that's why I love American newspapers
A Police Drone Might Be Behind Your Next Ticket
Law enforcement is expanding the use of remotely controlled drones despite concerns of civil liberties groups.
www.wsj.com
December 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
the US will do anything but redesign roads to make speeding harder.
Reposted by Megan Sanks
The bollard hasn’t moved a single inch. Total domination.
#WorldBollardAssociation
#WorldBollardAssociation
December 28, 2025 at 12:27 PM
The bollard hasn’t moved a single inch. Total domination.
#WorldBollardAssociation
#WorldBollardAssociation
Reposted by Megan Sanks
please bring back the lyme vaccine. i deserve it. i do not want lyme. i will accept fake knee pain for the vaccine. thank you.
December 30, 2025 at 5:34 AM
please bring back the lyme vaccine. i deserve it. i do not want lyme. i will accept fake knee pain for the vaccine. thank you.
Reposted by Megan Sanks
This is true and I was the only one on set excited about it (and playing the song on my phone to blank stares)
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
December 30, 2025 at 4:21 AM
This is true and I was the only one on set excited about it (and playing the song on my phone to blank stares)
Reposted by Megan Sanks
Furthermore public transit teaches you how to live with temporary minor annoyances and cars teach you that you're god's most special baby and your moment-to-moment comfort is the only important thing in the world
October 29, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Furthermore public transit teaches you how to live with temporary minor annoyances and cars teach you that you're god's most special baby and your moment-to-moment comfort is the only important thing in the world
Reposted by Megan Sanks
i also find mask jokes very racist btw considering how common masking has been in east asia historically and who is most likely to be masking now
Wrote about how disappointing it is that Jon Stewart punched down on people masking at @motherjones.com, when people should mind their own business and leave mask wearers be. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Hey Jon Stewart, jokes about wearing masks aren't funny
Critics of the Daily Show host say he's a hypocrite.
www.motherjones.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:25 PM
i also find mask jokes very racist btw considering how common masking has been in east asia historically and who is most likely to be masking now
Reposted by Megan Sanks
Your local librarian here to say that it’s great if you read lots of books this year, alright if you read barely anything, that audiobooks, romance and graphic novels are all valid formats and genres, and that some authors suck but we’re still not stopping you from reading them.
December 29, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Your local librarian here to say that it’s great if you read lots of books this year, alright if you read barely anything, that audiobooks, romance and graphic novels are all valid formats and genres, and that some authors suck but we’re still not stopping you from reading them.
Reposted by Megan Sanks
Rest is *good*, unscheduled time is *good.* You are not always either producing or decaying. Creativity flows from shutting things up enough to hear yourself, to be able to synthesize everything you’ve taken in lately.
December 29, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Rest is *good*, unscheduled time is *good.* You are not always either producing or decaying. Creativity flows from shutting things up enough to hear yourself, to be able to synthesize everything you’ve taken in lately.
Reposted by Megan Sanks
Ten thousand fucking percent.
Like, I get it. I get that you're despairing. Shit is rough. But skeeting "we're so fucked" ten times a day accomplishes nothing, alleviates nothing, and contributes to learned helplessness.
In all seriousness, if you feel that welling up? Log off. You need a break.
Like, I get it. I get that you're despairing. Shit is rough. But skeeting "we're so fucked" ten times a day accomplishes nothing, alleviates nothing, and contributes to learned helplessness.
In all seriousness, if you feel that welling up? Log off. You need a break.
Most of all, drop that "we're fucked" mindset. Time to leave that doomerism bullshit behind and focus on doing good.
I want 2026 to be the year where we collectively stop rewarding negativity. Stop bringing others down to bring yourself up. Stop bringing attention to genuinely awful people. Stop ignoring people bringing positive changes to the world. We need more kindness and empathy. I’m dead serious
December 24, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Ten thousand fucking percent.
Like, I get it. I get that you're despairing. Shit is rough. But skeeting "we're so fucked" ten times a day accomplishes nothing, alleviates nothing, and contributes to learned helplessness.
In all seriousness, if you feel that welling up? Log off. You need a break.
Like, I get it. I get that you're despairing. Shit is rough. But skeeting "we're so fucked" ten times a day accomplishes nothing, alleviates nothing, and contributes to learned helplessness.
In all seriousness, if you feel that welling up? Log off. You need a break.
Reposted by Megan Sanks
my festive spirit amidst our grimly stupid reality (2025)
December 23, 2025 at 9:34 PM
my festive spirit amidst our grimly stupid reality (2025)
Reposted by Megan Sanks
The thesis of the book is that early COVID lockdowns weren't worth it and mid-COVID mitigation measures like masks, contact tracing and business closures don't work.
This is laughably false and the authors have endorsed the people now running Trump's HHS.
This is laughably false and the authors have endorsed the people now running Trump's HHS.
December 24, 2025 at 5:04 AM
The thesis of the book is that early COVID lockdowns weren't worth it and mid-COVID mitigation measures like masks, contact tracing and business closures don't work.
This is laughably false and the authors have endorsed the people now running Trump's HHS.
This is laughably false and the authors have endorsed the people now running Trump's HHS.
Reposted by Megan Sanks
I received a thank you from some library workers for this piece after a Chicago city budget was passed this week without the previously proposed library cuts I described here. Many thanks to everyone who made noise about this issue. There were wins and losses in this budget, but this win matters.
You Can’t Fight Fascism While Defunding Libraries
“Libraries embody everything that we need right now to fight back against fascism," says Sara Heymann.
organizingmythoughts.org
December 23, 2025 at 4:25 PM
I received a thank you from some library workers for this piece after a Chicago city budget was passed this week without the previously proposed library cuts I described here. Many thanks to everyone who made noise about this issue. There were wins and losses in this budget, but this win matters.
Reposted by Megan Sanks
Libraries!!
Chicago Public Library lovers: after a lot of calls, letters and visits to your alders, we got the library levy raised and restored the collections budget to $10 million. This year we were able to avoid cuts! In a contentious budget season, there is one thing we can agree on: libraries need funding.
December 23, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Libraries!!
Reposted by Megan Sanks
Me, from April. [insert any job Rahm says he wants here]
December 23, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Me, from April. [insert any job Rahm says he wants here]
Reposted by Megan Sanks
A lot of people in the replies seem to understand this point when talking about CECOT but not when talking about American prisons
December 23, 2025 at 1:16 PM
A lot of people in the replies seem to understand this point when talking about CECOT but not when talking about American prisons
Reposted by Megan Sanks
I don’t mean to sound extreme, but I don’t think we should have torture camps for people with criminal records either.
December 23, 2025 at 1:51 AM
I don’t mean to sound extreme, but I don’t think we should have torture camps for people with criminal records either.
Reposted by Megan Sanks
I was really charmed by this SF librarian's quest to bring vinyl records to her students, and I hope you are too! www.coyotemedia.org/a-bay-area-l...
A Bay Area Librarian Is Using Vintage Vinyl to Show Tweens Where Music Comes From
Gina Cargas reached out to the community about collecting records for her middle school students. The response was overwhelming.
www.coyotemedia.org
December 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM
I was really charmed by this SF librarian's quest to bring vinyl records to her students, and I hope you are too! www.coyotemedia.org/a-bay-area-l...