Martha Hickson
@sassylibrarian.bsky.social
📎2023 NJLA Librarian of the Year📎Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians📎NCAC Outstanding Librarian📎AASL, NJLA & NJASL Intellectual Freedom Awards📎InsiderNJ 2025 Policy Makers Power List📎Ban book banners!
“[Book banners] do not want safe children -- they want obedient children, and they think they can accomplish that by deciding what books are allowed to be on the shelf.”
On Saturday, @authorsabb.bsky.social won the ALAN Award at @ncte.org, and I was honored to accept it on our behalf.
This is the speech I gave.
www.prettyokmaggie.com/blog/2025/11...
This is the speech I gave.
www.prettyokmaggie.com/blog/2025/11...
November 25, 2025 at 3:17 AM
“[Book banners] do not want safe children -- they want obedient children, and they think they can accomplish that by deciding what books are allowed to be on the shelf.”
Reposted by Martha Hickson
I'm usually not a documentary person, but I went to see The Librarians today. Ten out of ten, highly recommend! If there's a showing close by, you should definitely go see it! #TheLibrariansFilm #BookBans #AuthorLife @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 1:12 AM
I'm usually not a documentary person, but I went to see The Librarians today. Ten out of ten, highly recommend! If there's a showing close by, you should definitely go see it! #TheLibrariansFilm #BookBans #AuthorLife @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
Reposted by Martha Hickson
we keep printing these
people keep requesting them
because book bans aren't slowing down
free bookmark, free shipping, zero catch
get yours here:
bannedcamppodcast.com/fdt
we have a podcast about banned books and we're tired of watching the cult win. so we printed these.
people keep requesting them
because book bans aren't slowing down
free bookmark, free shipping, zero catch
get yours here:
bannedcamppodcast.com/fdt
we have a podcast about banned books and we're tired of watching the cult win. so we printed these.
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 AM
we keep printing these
people keep requesting them
because book bans aren't slowing down
free bookmark, free shipping, zero catch
get yours here:
bannedcamppodcast.com/fdt
we have a podcast about banned books and we're tired of watching the cult win. so we printed these.
people keep requesting them
because book bans aren't slowing down
free bookmark, free shipping, zero catch
get yours here:
bannedcamppodcast.com/fdt
we have a podcast about banned books and we're tired of watching the cult win. so we printed these.
Reposted by Martha Hickson
Missouri court strikes down 2022 law that pulled library books off shelves
missouriindependent.com/2025/11/18/m...
missouriindependent.com/2025/11/18/m...
Missouri court strikes down 2022 law that pulled library books off shelves • Missouri Independent
A Jackson County Circuit Court struck down a 2022 law that criminalized school employees for providing "sexually explicit material."
missouriindependent.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Missouri court strikes down 2022 law that pulled library books off shelves
missouriindependent.com/2025/11/18/m...
missouriindependent.com/2025/11/18/m...
From a longer examination of “modest” attire, this thread and its comments offer much that is relevant to book banning: “The greatest danger now arises from forms of national and cultural identity which attempt to secure THEIR identity by adopting closed versions of culture or community …”
In my article, I quoted something from Stuart Hall's "Culture, Community, Nation," an essay first published in a 1993 issue of Cultural Studies. He writes:
"It should not be necessary to look, walk, feel, think, speak exactly like a paid-up member of the buttoned-up, stiff-upper-lipped, ...
"It should not be necessary to look, walk, feel, think, speak exactly like a paid-up member of the buttoned-up, stiff-upper-lipped, ...
November 24, 2025 at 1:50 PM
From a longer examination of “modest” attire, this thread and its comments offer much that is relevant to book banning: “The greatest danger now arises from forms of national and cultural identity which attempt to secure THEIR identity by adopting closed versions of culture or community …”
Fact. We enjoyed a boardwalk slice today in Ocean City.
November 23, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Fact. We enjoyed a boardwalk slice today in Ocean City.
“There’s a hole in my soul that just rages … They’re in need of you needin’ to feel like a man. Join ICE.” 🎯
November 23, 2025 at 2:08 PM
“There’s a hole in my soul that just rages … They’re in need of you needin’ to feel like a man. Join ICE.” 🎯
Thanksgiving-Cyber Monday, my wallet's ignoring Target, Home Depot, & Amazon. I'm tired of corporations enabling this administration, ditching DEI, allowing ICE to terrorize our communities, & chasing tax breaks. Join me! #WeAintBuyingIt 🚫
November 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Thanksgiving-Cyber Monday, my wallet's ignoring Target, Home Depot, & Amazon. I'm tired of corporations enabling this administration, ditching DEI, allowing ICE to terrorize our communities, & chasing tax breaks. Join me! #WeAintBuyingIt 🚫
No Amazon. No Target. No Home Depot. Nov 27- Dec 1.
We Ain’t Buying It! - Economic Pressure on Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday - We Ain’t Buying It!
We Ain’t Buying It is an economic action and solidarity campaign designed to defend democracy and reclaim community power.
weaintbuyingit.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM
No Amazon. No Target. No Home Depot. Nov 27- Dec 1.
Reposted by Martha Hickson
Can you spread the word about weaintbuyingit.com? This is one of the easiest and safest ways possible to fight back against the current administration. If you've been saying there's nothing you can do - you're wrong! All you have to do is not buy from Amazon, Home Depot, or Target for five days.
We Ain’t Buying It! - Economic Pressure on Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday - We Ain’t Buying It!
We Ain’t Buying It is an economic action and solidarity campaign designed to defend democracy and reclaim community power.
weaintbuyingit.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Can you spread the word about weaintbuyingit.com? This is one of the easiest and safest ways possible to fight back against the current administration. If you've been saying there's nothing you can do - you're wrong! All you have to do is not buy from Amazon, Home Depot, or Target for five days.
“Reading isn’t a terrorist act”
NEISD's 'See something, say something' book warning loses the narrative
"See something, say something” is supposed to be about danger. NEISD used it for books.
www.expressnews.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:41 PM
“Reading isn’t a terrorist act”
Reposted by Martha Hickson
In Monrovia, California, protesters are purchasing 17¢ ICE scrapers from Home Depot and immediately returning them to create long lines and slow down the entire store. Their aim is to disrupt sales and convey a message opposing ICE raids occurring in their neighborhood.
November 23, 2025 at 11:37 AM
In Monrovia, California, protesters are purchasing 17¢ ICE scrapers from Home Depot and immediately returning them to create long lines and slow down the entire store. Their aim is to disrupt sales and convey a message opposing ICE raids occurring in their neighborhood.
Reposted by Martha Hickson
If you've been a fan of SIFT or if you're wondering how to bring AI into the classroom in a way that promotes critical reasoning rather than undermines it, this post is for you.
I did it, I wrote it. The thing I think (?) some educators have been waiting for for quite a while. mikecaulfield.substack.com/p/sift-for-a...
SIFT for AI: Introduction and Pedagogy
Once I thought more deeply about what people had been asking for it made a lot of sense
mikecaulfield.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:23 PM
If you've been a fan of SIFT or if you're wondering how to bring AI into the classroom in a way that promotes critical reasoning rather than undermines it, this post is for you.
Reposted by Martha Hickson
1st, a majority of these degrees are held by women. 2nd, most of these degrees are "Required Reporters," professions legally obligated to report suspicions of child abuse.
So, remove women from the workforce and make raping kids easier. Project 2025 in a nutshell.
So, remove women from the workforce and make raping kids easier. Project 2025 in a nutshell.
November 22, 2025 at 2:55 PM
1st, a majority of these degrees are held by women. 2nd, most of these degrees are "Required Reporters," professions legally obligated to report suspicions of child abuse.
So, remove women from the workforce and make raping kids easier. Project 2025 in a nutshell.
So, remove women from the workforce and make raping kids easier. Project 2025 in a nutshell.
Reposted by Martha Hickson
This coming week, take a minute to drop a note to your school district thanking them for your librarians!
November 22, 2025 at 2:05 AM
This coming week, take a minute to drop a note to your school district thanking them for your librarians!
Reposted by Martha Hickson
Who voted for this?
November 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Who voted for this?
Library land: If you read 1 work-related article today, make it Mike Caulfield’s latest post on info lit for AI. Not only does he trace the evolution of the SIFT model and its implications for an AI-focused tool, he models an admirable level of self-reflection that kicked Fat Elvis off the stage.
I think one of the most interesting ways to bring AI into the classroom is to use it to scaffold discipline based critical reasoning, and the fact mastering such critical reasoning is key to interpreting those LLM outputs is an opportunity actually.
I did it, I wrote it. The thing I think (?) some educators have been waiting for for quite a while. mikecaulfield.substack.com/p/sift-for-a...
November 22, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Library land: If you read 1 work-related article today, make it Mike Caulfield’s latest post on info lit for AI. Not only does he trace the evolution of the SIFT model and its implications for an AI-focused tool, he models an admirable level of self-reflection that kicked Fat Elvis off the stage.
“MTG is an outrage entrepreneur”
CNN: In the last couple of weeks or so, she's become kind of an ally on some issues. What do you make of this?
Auchincloss: No, John, she hasn't.
Auchincloss: No, John, she hasn't.
November 22, 2025 at 10:38 AM
“MTG is an outrage entrepreneur”
Reposted by Martha Hickson
I'm going to get something up Monday but in the mean time, y'all, IMLS got a *massive* win today.
The judge in the case between 21 states and the administration blocked further dismantling of the IMLS by Trump. It'll be appealed, but we've gotta take the Ws.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-a-major-v...
The judge in the case between 21 states and the administration blocked further dismantling of the IMLS by Trump. It'll be appealed, but we've gotta take the Ws.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-a-major-v...
In a Major Victory, Rhode Island Judge Permanently Blocks Trump's Bid to Shutter the IMLS
In a November 21 summary judgment ruling, judge John J. McConnell held that the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the IMLS and several other federal agencies via executive order was both ill...
www.wordsandmoney.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I'm going to get something up Monday but in the mean time, y'all, IMLS got a *massive* win today.
The judge in the case between 21 states and the administration blocked further dismantling of the IMLS by Trump. It'll be appealed, but we've gotta take the Ws.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-a-major-v...
The judge in the case between 21 states and the administration blocked further dismantling of the IMLS by Trump. It'll be appealed, but we've gotta take the Ws.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-a-major-v...
Reposted by Martha Hickson
It’s fun to think about the surgeon who will botch your surgery 20 years from now and what he’s doing at this moment. He just ran all his homework through ChatGPT. He just read that article about vaccines and autism at the CDC website. He just watched an Instagram video about the moon landing hoax.
November 21, 2025 at 4:27 AM
It’s fun to think about the surgeon who will botch your surgery 20 years from now and what he’s doing at this moment. He just ran all his homework through ChatGPT. He just read that article about vaccines and autism at the CDC website. He just watched an Instagram video about the moon landing hoax.
Viva IMLS! “It’s a win for every library user and every American in every state and territory.”
ALA celebrates today's ruling in federal court in RI permanently blocking the Administration's actions to dismantle IMLS.
ALA Pres. Sam Helmick: "This victory belongs to all of us, and we build the future of our libraries together." Read our full statement & take action: www.ala.org/news/2025/11...
ALA Pres. Sam Helmick: "This victory belongs to all of us, and we build the future of our libraries together." Read our full statement & take action: www.ala.org/news/2025/11...
November 22, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Viva IMLS! “It’s a win for every library user and every American in every state and territory.”
Reposted by Martha Hickson
WOW. If I came all the way to Denver #NCTE and only saw The Librarians, it would have been worth it. Must watch. Find it near you, or come to my PBS watch party on 2/9/26! These are the heroes of our times.
@thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
thelibrariansfilm.com The Librarians Film | Official Site
@thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
thelibrariansfilm.com The Librarians Film | Official Site
November 21, 2025 at 7:13 PM
WOW. If I came all the way to Denver #NCTE and only saw The Librarians, it would have been worth it. Must watch. Find it near you, or come to my PBS watch party on 2/9/26! These are the heroes of our times.
@thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
thelibrariansfilm.com The Librarians Film | Official Site
@thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
thelibrariansfilm.com The Librarians Film | Official Site
You’ll find me and my villainy posing here: thelibrariansfilm.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:39 PM
You’ll find me and my villainy posing here: thelibrariansfilm.com
“The librarians, & citizens who pushed (& are pushing back) remain the heroes in this drama. They are the most unlikely subversives & the fiercest defenders of the Constitution & what 1st Amendment freedoms look like for everyone, not just those who share the same set of religious beliefs.”
The Valley Reporter - ‘The Librarians’ tackles book bans fearlessly, and with hope
‘The Librarians,’ playing at the Big Picture in Waitsfield tonight, is hard to stomach. It’s a documentary about recent efforts to normalize banning books in school and public libraries.
www.valleyreporter.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:52 AM
“The librarians, & citizens who pushed (& are pushing back) remain the heroes in this drama. They are the most unlikely subversives & the fiercest defenders of the Constitution & what 1st Amendment freedoms look like for everyone, not just those who share the same set of religious beliefs.”
Variety lists THE LIBRARIANS as #3 in its list of likely Best Documentary Feature Oscar picks 😳 @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
Oscar Predictions: ‘Frankenstein’ Surges as ‘Hamnet,’ ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Sinners’ Hold Strong
2026 Oscars predictions include contenders such as "One Battle After Another," "Hamnet," "Frankenstein," "Sinners" and "Wicked: For Good."
variety.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Variety lists THE LIBRARIANS as #3 in its list of likely Best Documentary Feature Oscar picks 😳 @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social