Abby Barker
@abbybarker.bsky.social
TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS. Reading, librarian, cups of tea, library advocacy, immunocompromised, pro-choice, scleroderma, interstitial lung disease, organ donation, ADHD and naps. She/her.
Two of my favourite teaching staff are leaving. I'm sulking.
December 16, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Two of my favourite teaching staff are leaving. I'm sulking.
Trash talked at the Guides quiz by my own daughter 'we'll get more right because we've been to school today and you haven't been for a million years'
December 15, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Trash talked at the Guides quiz by my own daughter 'we'll get more right because we've been to school today and you haven't been for a million years'
In a move worthy of Scrooge, Dora's school have sent home three Maths SATS papers to be completed over the Christmas holidays.
December 15, 2025 at 5:33 PM
In a move worthy of Scrooge, Dora's school have sent home three Maths SATS papers to be completed over the Christmas holidays.
In the words of Bily Corgan, today is the longest day I've ever known
December 15, 2025 at 3:16 PM
In the words of Bily Corgan, today is the longest day I've ever known
I want to listen to a podcast about Fraggle Rock but the presenter drops their t and I just can't.
December 15, 2025 at 10:42 AM
I want to listen to a podcast about Fraggle Rock but the presenter drops their t and I just can't.
Reposted by Abby Barker
If you randomly have this kids 2016 Barcelona kit in the back of your cupboard and can save Christmas in my house please get in touch 🤞
December 12, 2025 at 4:33 PM
If you randomly have this kids 2016 Barcelona kit in the back of your cupboard and can save Christmas in my house please get in touch 🤞
This whole list (except the Kemi Telford dress) makes me glad I never get invited to parties www.theguardian.com/thefilter/20...
Asymmetric hemlines, applique and lace: the 30 best party dresses for Christmas and beyond
Our styling editor shares her favourite looks for getting dressed up to the nines
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:17 PM
This whole list (except the Kemi Telford dress) makes me glad I never get invited to parties www.theguardian.com/thefilter/20...
Just told someone their book is due back in 2926.
December 12, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Just told someone their book is due back in 2926.
I just can't today. Nope.
December 10, 2025 at 8:43 AM
I just can't today. Nope.
Jesus fucking christ
Jimmy Fallon: "And do you use ChatGPT when raising your baby?"
Sam Altman: "I cannot imagine figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT."
Sam Altman: "I cannot imagine figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT."
December 9, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Jesus fucking christ
I'm too old for library helpdesk work. Or rather, I've been doing it for too long. I am feeling neither helpy or desky this afternoon.
December 9, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I'm too old for library helpdesk work. Or rather, I've been doing it for too long. I am feeling neither helpy or desky this afternoon.
Reposted by Abby Barker
my one very sincere piece of business advice to universities:
it takes *a lot* of indignities to kill the goodwill of people who choose to work at universities but managing to do so is not something to be proud of
it takes *a lot* of indignities to kill the goodwill of people who choose to work at universities but managing to do so is not something to be proud of
December 8, 2025 at 7:49 AM
my one very sincere piece of business advice to universities:
it takes *a lot* of indignities to kill the goodwill of people who choose to work at universities but managing to do so is not something to be proud of
it takes *a lot* of indignities to kill the goodwill of people who choose to work at universities but managing to do so is not something to be proud of
Reposted by Abby Barker
Parents of young adult children or people who have jobs with gen z colleagues (or rare Actual Young Ppl On here): I want to interview someone who's done any kind of government employment scheme (whether apprenticeship or other) for a book (fiction). Would appreciate any tipoffs!
December 9, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Parents of young adult children or people who have jobs with gen z colleagues (or rare Actual Young Ppl On here): I want to interview someone who's done any kind of government employment scheme (whether apprenticeship or other) for a book (fiction). Would appreciate any tipoffs!
In the dim and distant past there were specific courses on dealing with behaviour for librarians, do these still exist? Point me in their direction if they do please.
December 8, 2025 at 1:31 PM
In the dim and distant past there were specific courses on dealing with behaviour for librarians, do these still exist? Point me in their direction if they do please.
After not buying from Amazon since March, 98% of my Xmas shopping is from there. I'm ill, my dad is ill, I'm looking after my kids, working full time, going to see my parents at the weekends, working through my lunch breaks to fit work in with stupid school hours. Anyway TLDR: my sanity is important
December 7, 2025 at 7:35 PM
After not buying from Amazon since March, 98% of my Xmas shopping is from there. I'm ill, my dad is ill, I'm looking after my kids, working full time, going to see my parents at the weekends, working through my lunch breaks to fit work in with stupid school hours. Anyway TLDR: my sanity is important
If you're drawing teams for Group L surely the penny should drop that you've got too many teams.
December 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM
If you're drawing teams for Group L surely the penny should drop that you've got too many teams.
Do you know what mums actually want? Two nights (min) away from their families, time to theirselves, hotel room, peace and bloody quiet. Do not buy your mother a £30 hair clip. www.theguardian.com/thefilter/20...
The best UK Christmas gifts for mums: 64 thoughtful ideas they’ll love
Forget aprons and baking trays: these tried-and-tested gifts – from a lime squeezer for margaritas to a bare root rose – hit the spot for mothers
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Do you know what mums actually want? Two nights (min) away from their families, time to theirselves, hotel room, peace and bloody quiet. Do not buy your mother a £30 hair clip. www.theguardian.com/thefilter/20...
One of my favourite perimenopause symptoms is the urge to murder anyone who talks to me after 7pm.
December 4, 2025 at 8:30 PM
One of my favourite perimenopause symptoms is the urge to murder anyone who talks to me after 7pm.
How about - and just hear me out here - you let him read what he wants to and try not smash the joy of reading out of him by telling him he's doing reading wrong? www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
My son is a voracious reader, but he judges books by their covers. How can I help him see past them? | Leading questions
When you make art proof of virtue, you can make it feel like a drag, advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith writes. Instead, encourage him to develop his own sensibility
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
How about - and just hear me out here - you let him read what he wants to and try not smash the joy of reading out of him by telling him he's doing reading wrong? www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Delighted that the subject of this week's Carry On Up The Podcast is on ITVx at the moment @mikemuncer.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Delighted that the subject of this week's Carry On Up The Podcast is on ITVx at the moment @mikemuncer.bsky.social
My most used word on here is library. Shocking.
December 3, 2025 at 10:27 AM
My most used word on here is library. Shocking.
Although in true tradition, a student event here involves a dj who has no new records and a volume fader that is stuck on 11
December 3, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Although in true tradition, a student event here involves a dj who has no new records and a volume fader that is stuck on 11
It's our Winter Market today so we are doing our (now annual) Jolabokaflod giveaway. 50 books and hot chocolates to give away to students, and the launch of our Winter Reading Bingo to persuade some of them to read one book over the holidays with Starbucks vouchers as a prize.
December 3, 2025 at 10:20 AM
It's our Winter Market today so we are doing our (now annual) Jolabokaflod giveaway. 50 books and hot chocolates to give away to students, and the launch of our Winter Reading Bingo to persuade some of them to read one book over the holidays with Starbucks vouchers as a prize.
Reposted by Abby Barker
A student got me a thank you card and gift for helping them out a couple of weeks ago. It's the first one I've had since I started here and couldn't have come at a better time.
December 2, 2025 at 3:37 PM
A student got me a thank you card and gift for helping them out a couple of weeks ago. It's the first one I've had since I started here and couldn't have come at a better time.