Kathy Lester
@kathylester.bsky.social
Teacher Librarian, Adjunct Faculty-WSU School of Information Science, AASL Past President, Michigan Association of School Librarians Advocacy Co-Chair & Past President, about me: bit.ly/klester
Reposted by Kathy Lester
**NEW**
Today, the ACLU of South Carolina filed a lawsuit on behalf of public school students and school librarians. They're challenging the constitutionality of the state's book banning law and a memo outlining the state's content censorship policy.
bookriot.com/aclu-sc-laws...
Today, the ACLU of South Carolina filed a lawsuit on behalf of public school students and school librarians. They're challenging the constitutionality of the state's book banning law and a memo outlining the state's content censorship policy.
bookriot.com/aclu-sc-laws...
October 7, 2025 at 6:18 PM
**NEW**
Today, the ACLU of South Carolina filed a lawsuit on behalf of public school students and school librarians. They're challenging the constitutionality of the state's book banning law and a memo outlining the state's content censorship policy.
bookriot.com/aclu-sc-laws...
Today, the ACLU of South Carolina filed a lawsuit on behalf of public school students and school librarians. They're challenging the constitutionality of the state's book banning law and a memo outlining the state's content censorship policy.
bookriot.com/aclu-sc-laws...
Join me at Policy as an Advocacy Tool: Tips for Booksellers, Librarians, and Community Advocates publicschoolstrong.controlshift.app/events/polic...
Policy as an Advocacy Tool: Tips for Booksellers, Librarians, and Community Advocates
Policy can be a powerful tool when fighting censorship in bookstores, libraries, and other places communities rely on to access information. Join experts in building and implementing policies for book...
publicschoolstrong.controlshift.app
October 6, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Join me at Policy as an Advocacy Tool: Tips for Booksellers, Librarians, and Community Advocates publicschoolstrong.controlshift.app/events/polic...
Reposted by Kathy Lester
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer opened ALA's 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia with advice for young adults, from handling bullies to admitting when you're wrong. #ALAAC25
Tools of Empowerment | American Libraries Magazine
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer opens ALA's 2025 Annual Conference in Philadelphia with a discussion of her young adult memoir, True Gretch.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
June 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer opened ALA's 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia with advice for young adults, from handling bullies to admitting when you're wrong. #ALAAC25
Reposted by Kathy Lester
How can YOU Show Up #ForOurLibraries? We've got you covered. Here are three steps you can take RIGHT NOW at ala.org/showup
1: Speak out, tell Congress to Fund Libraries
2: Spread the word, share the campaign with your community
3: Help sustain ALA's work, because the fight isn't free
#ALAAC25
1: Speak out, tell Congress to Fund Libraries
2: Spread the word, share the campaign with your community
3: Help sustain ALA's work, because the fight isn't free
#ALAAC25
June 28, 2025 at 8:52 PM
How can YOU Show Up #ForOurLibraries? We've got you covered. Here are three steps you can take RIGHT NOW at ala.org/showup
1: Speak out, tell Congress to Fund Libraries
2: Spread the word, share the campaign with your community
3: Help sustain ALA's work, because the fight isn't free
#ALAAC25
1: Speak out, tell Congress to Fund Libraries
2: Spread the word, share the campaign with your community
3: Help sustain ALA's work, because the fight isn't free
#ALAAC25
Reposted by Kathy Lester
Harassment Crisis!
24% of school librarians were harassed over books this year—30% at high schools. When did protecting young minds become a contact sport?
www.slj.com/story/Nearly...
#slj.com #librariesforeveryone #assaultonbooks #fREADomtoread #librariansunderffire
24% of school librarians were harassed over books this year—30% at high schools. When did protecting young minds become a contact sport?
www.slj.com/story/Nearly...
#slj.com #librariesforeveryone #assaultonbooks #fREADomtoread #librariansunderffire
Nearly a Quarter of School Librarians Have Experienced Harassment Over Books | SLJ Censorship Survey
Twenty-four percent of school librarians have been harassed this past year over books or displays in their library. That’s according to a recent SLJ survey, which found the rate even higher among high...
www.slj.com
May 27, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Harassment Crisis!
24% of school librarians were harassed over books this year—30% at high schools. When did protecting young minds become a contact sport?
www.slj.com/story/Nearly...
#slj.com #librariesforeveryone #assaultonbooks #fREADomtoread #librariansunderffire
24% of school librarians were harassed over books this year—30% at high schools. When did protecting young minds become a contact sport?
www.slj.com/story/Nearly...
#slj.com #librariesforeveryone #assaultonbooks #fREADomtoread #librariansunderffire
Join me at People’s Town Hall 7th CD with special guest Sen. Elissa Slotkin midems.controlshift.app/events/7th-c...
People’s Town Hall 7th CD with special guest Sen. Elissa Slotkin
Join us for the People’s Town Hall in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District with Senator Elissa Slotkin and Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet on Friday, June 6th to tell your stories about how you ...
midems.controlshift.app
May 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Join me at People’s Town Hall 7th CD with special guest Sen. Elissa Slotkin midems.controlshift.app/events/7th-c...
Reposted by Kathy Lester
#librarian Christine Beachler and Dr. Hoeve share their strategies for fighting book banners. #library Special offer from Junior Library Guild
apple.co/4di138F
apple.co/4di138F
Under Attack and Fighting Back
Podcast Episode · School Librarians United with Amy Hermon · 05/16/2025 · 1h 15m
apple.co
May 16, 2025 at 1:39 PM
#librarian Christine Beachler and Dr. Hoeve share their strategies for fighting book banners. #library Special offer from Junior Library Guild
apple.co/4di138F
apple.co/4di138F
Reposted by Kathy Lester
For 225 years, the Library of Congress has collected America’s stories and kept Congress informed. The American Library Association stands with America’s library.
![The Library of Congress belongs to Congress and the American people. [Logos: Show up for our libraries - American Library Association]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:q5qyswhppr7tiskw43xhcv7f/bafkreib3eioahb3b27g7vdp65hu4bmfloqxp3k3frylkwhdtg6bnfbl7iy@jpeg)
May 15, 2025 at 6:43 PM
For 225 years, the Library of Congress has collected America’s stories and kept Congress informed. The American Library Association stands with America’s library.
Reposted by Kathy Lester
Another librarian is standing up for herself! If you feel led to do so, consider giving up a snack/treat this week and donating that $5 to my friend Christine.
www.gofundme.com/f/legal-supp...
www.gofundme.com/f/legal-supp...
Donate to Legal Fees for Librarian Christine Beachler, organized by Michelle Vanallsburg
No one should be consistently attacked for doing their job as a schoo… Michelle Vanallsburg needs your support for Legal Fees for Librarian Christine Beachler
www.gofundme.com
May 13, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Another librarian is standing up for herself! If you feel led to do so, consider giving up a snack/treat this week and donating that $5 to my friend Christine.
www.gofundme.com/f/legal-supp...
www.gofundme.com/f/legal-supp...
Reposted by Kathy Lester
Outrage and Calls to Action After President Trump Fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden
Outrage and Calls to Action After President Trump Fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden
Members of Congress, authors, and librarians express their anger over Hayden's removal.
www.slj.com
May 9, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Outrage and Calls to Action After President Trump Fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden
Reposted by Kathy Lester
NEW: ALA salutes Dr Carla Hayden for her exceptional service to the nation as the Librarian of Congress. We are deeply disappointed in Dr Hayden's abrupt & unjust dismissal last night, an insult to the scope & breadth of her work.
Read ALA Pres. Cindy Hohl's statement: www.ala.org/news/2025/05...
Read ALA Pres. Cindy Hohl's statement: www.ala.org/news/2025/05...
![The American Library Association praises servic of Dr. Carla Hayden, decries 'unjust dismissal' of Librarian of Congress. [Image of Dr. Carla Hayden standing in the stacks in a library]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:q5qyswhppr7tiskw43xhcv7f/bafkreicwqv4vszkknu4dvsdfhmrzzmtscjx5eg64gykfmrgynrnhup6sai@jpeg)
May 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM
NEW: ALA salutes Dr Carla Hayden for her exceptional service to the nation as the Librarian of Congress. We are deeply disappointed in Dr Hayden's abrupt & unjust dismissal last night, an insult to the scope & breadth of her work.
Read ALA Pres. Cindy Hohl's statement: www.ala.org/news/2025/05...
Read ALA Pres. Cindy Hohl's statement: www.ala.org/news/2025/05...
Reposted by Kathy Lester
Reposted by Kathy Lester
We need EVERY library advocate to raise their voice in support of library funding. Take action NOW, call Congress to #FundLibraries: bit.ly/Call2FundLibraries
Time is running out to Fund Libraries next fiscal year. Congress MUST act to include libraries in the next federal budget. #ForOurLibraries
Time is running out to Fund Libraries next fiscal year. Congress MUST act to include libraries in the next federal budget. #ForOurLibraries
May 7, 2025 at 7:06 PM
We need EVERY library advocate to raise their voice in support of library funding. Take action NOW, call Congress to #FundLibraries: bit.ly/Call2FundLibraries
Time is running out to Fund Libraries next fiscal year. Congress MUST act to include libraries in the next federal budget. #ForOurLibraries
Time is running out to Fund Libraries next fiscal year. Congress MUST act to include libraries in the next federal budget. #ForOurLibraries
Reposted by Kathy Lester
NEW: A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled that the gutting of the Institute of Museum & Library Services is likely unlawful. This is the SECOND federal court to rule against the slashing of the only federal agency dedicated to library funding.
Learn about ALA's own legal case: ala.org/IMLS-lawsuit
Learn about ALA's own legal case: ala.org/IMLS-lawsuit
May 6, 2025 at 8:42 PM
NEW: A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled that the gutting of the Institute of Museum & Library Services is likely unlawful. This is the SECOND federal court to rule against the slashing of the only federal agency dedicated to library funding.
Learn about ALA's own legal case: ala.org/IMLS-lawsuit
Learn about ALA's own legal case: ala.org/IMLS-lawsuit
Reposted by Kathy Lester
🚨 Today, a federal court granted a temporary restraining order to halt the administration’s dismantling of IMLS—a direct result of the lawsuit filed by ALA and @afscme.bsky.social.
www.ala.org/news/2025/05...
#ForOurLibraries #FundLibraries
www.ala.org/news/2025/05...
#ForOurLibraries #FundLibraries
May 2, 2025 at 2:28 AM
🚨 Today, a federal court granted a temporary restraining order to halt the administration’s dismantling of IMLS—a direct result of the lawsuit filed by ALA and @afscme.bsky.social.
www.ala.org/news/2025/05...
#ForOurLibraries #FundLibraries
www.ala.org/news/2025/05...
#ForOurLibraries #FundLibraries
Reposted by Kathy Lester
Happy Independent Bookstore Day 📚
Not everyone can always get to their library. It’s important for kids, for people to build their home libraries. To discover books they love so much they reread them over and over and over again.
Enter one of the library’s greatest friends… the indie bookstore 💛
Not everyone can always get to their library. It’s important for kids, for people to build their home libraries. To discover books they love so much they reread them over and over and over again.
Enter one of the library’s greatest friends… the indie bookstore 💛
April 26, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Happy Independent Bookstore Day 📚
Not everyone can always get to their library. It’s important for kids, for people to build their home libraries. To discover books they love so much they reread them over and over and over again.
Enter one of the library’s greatest friends… the indie bookstore 💛
Not everyone can always get to their library. It’s important for kids, for people to build their home libraries. To discover books they love so much they reread them over and over and over again.
Enter one of the library’s greatest friends… the indie bookstore 💛
Reposted by Kathy Lester
I'm glad local NPR is covering the pro-book ban law under consideration in New Hampshire, but it's frustrating that it continues to present "both sides" as if one of those sides is not totally lying. THERE IS NO "TRIPLE-X STUFF" IN SCHOOLS. They should say that. www.wbur.org/news/2025/04...
New Hampshire lawmakers debate a book ban that could punish teachers, librarians
A bill to restrict or ban student access to some books puts New Hampshire smack in the middle of a major battle in America's culture wars.
www.wbur.org
April 25, 2025 at 12:44 PM
I'm glad local NPR is covering the pro-book ban law under consideration in New Hampshire, but it's frustrating that it continues to present "both sides" as if one of those sides is not totally lying. THERE IS NO "TRIPLE-X STUFF" IN SCHOOLS. They should say that. www.wbur.org/news/2025/04...
Reposted by Kathy Lester
And the students are fighting back.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Students at Pentagon schools sue Hegseth over book bans on race and gender
Lawsuit argues that culling library books prevents children from learning about health, hygiene, biology and abuse
www.theguardian.com
April 18, 2025 at 7:59 PM
And the students are fighting back.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Kathy Lester
Today, Rhode Island library advocates attended the first hearing in a lawsuit filed by 21 state Attorneys General to halt the President's dismantling of the Institute of Museum & Library Services.
Thank you to the Attorneys General showing up #ForOurLibraries.
Use your own voice: ala.org/showup
Thank you to the Attorneys General showing up #ForOurLibraries.
Use your own voice: ala.org/showup
April 18, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Today, Rhode Island library advocates attended the first hearing in a lawsuit filed by 21 state Attorneys General to halt the President's dismantling of the Institute of Museum & Library Services.
Thank you to the Attorneys General showing up #ForOurLibraries.
Use your own voice: ala.org/showup
Thank you to the Attorneys General showing up #ForOurLibraries.
Use your own voice: ala.org/showup
Reposted by Kathy Lester
A lawsuit filed against Rockford (MI) Public Schools (RPS) over 14 library books described as “sexually explicit” has been dismissed by the Court of Appeals. (Wood TV)
www.slj.com/story/Studen...
www.slj.com/story/Studen...
April 18, 2025 at 4:50 PM
A lawsuit filed against Rockford (MI) Public Schools (RPS) over 14 library books described as “sexually explicit” has been dismissed by the Court of Appeals. (Wood TV)
www.slj.com/story/Studen...
www.slj.com/story/Studen...
Reposted by Kathy Lester
Libraries are for everyone!
I oppose the Trump Admin’s efforts to ban books, eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), & slash funding for public libraries that would cut services.
Let’s keep libraries free, accessible & welcoming to all!
I oppose the Trump Admin’s efforts to ban books, eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), & slash funding for public libraries that would cut services.
Let’s keep libraries free, accessible & welcoming to all!
April 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Libraries are for everyone!
I oppose the Trump Admin’s efforts to ban books, eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), & slash funding for public libraries that would cut services.
Let’s keep libraries free, accessible & welcoming to all!
I oppose the Trump Admin’s efforts to ban books, eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), & slash funding for public libraries that would cut services.
Let’s keep libraries free, accessible & welcoming to all!
Reposted by Kathy Lester
Thank you to everyone who made #NationalLibraryWeek 2025 memorable! Special thanks to Honorary Chairs @goraina.bsky.social and @scottmccloud.bsky.social and our friends at Scholastic. Libraries are essential—now more than ever—and with your support, they’ll thrive for generations to come. 💙📚
April 12, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Thank you to everyone who made #NationalLibraryWeek 2025 memorable! Special thanks to Honorary Chairs @goraina.bsky.social and @scottmccloud.bsky.social and our friends at Scholastic. Libraries are essential—now more than ever—and with your support, they’ll thrive for generations to come. 💙📚
Reposted by Kathy Lester
It’s #RightToReadDay.
NEW data from @oif.bsky.social shows that 72% of book bans in 2024 were initiated by organized groups and elected officials. We need EVERYONE to #UniteAgainstBookBans & take action against these organized attempts today: uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-rea... #DrawnToFreedom
NEW data from @oif.bsky.social shows that 72% of book bans in 2024 were initiated by organized groups and elected officials. We need EVERYONE to #UniteAgainstBookBans & take action against these organized attempts today: uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-rea... #DrawnToFreedom
April 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
It’s #RightToReadDay.
NEW data from @oif.bsky.social shows that 72% of book bans in 2024 were initiated by organized groups and elected officials. We need EVERYONE to #UniteAgainstBookBans & take action against these organized attempts today: uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-rea... #DrawnToFreedom
NEW data from @oif.bsky.social shows that 72% of book bans in 2024 were initiated by organized groups and elected officials. We need EVERYONE to #UniteAgainstBookBans & take action against these organized attempts today: uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-rea... #DrawnToFreedom