Debbie Mikula
@mikulade1.bsky.social
Michigan library and arts advocate; Family History Keeper; Spartan; Protector of Choice, Artistic Freedom, Free Speech and the Right to Read; Country over Party; Common Sense Gun Reform; Not Interested in Alternative Facts.
WTF!
omg!
"Demolition crews have begun tearing down part of the White House...
"Construction teams Monday were demolishing a portion of the East Wing, with a backhoe ripping through the structure..."
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
"Demolition crews have begun tearing down part of the White House...
"Construction teams Monday were demolishing a portion of the East Wing, with a backhoe ripping through the structure..."
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
October 23, 2025 at 11:49 AM
WTF!
Have you signed the petition?
The Freedom to Read = the Freedom to Be.
Even if books aren’t banned everywhere, defending access ensures everyone can explore ideas, see themselves reflected, and be heard. Your right to read matters.
Sign the MI Right to Read Petition today: ow.ly/8vIh50XaOBG
#MIRighttoRead #FreedomtoRead
Even if books aren’t banned everywhere, defending access ensures everyone can explore ideas, see themselves reflected, and be heard. Your right to read matters.
Sign the MI Right to Read Petition today: ow.ly/8vIh50XaOBG
#MIRighttoRead #FreedomtoRead
Sign the Petition — MI Right to Read
ow.ly
October 16, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Have you signed the petition?
It is stunning and I'll look forward to seeing it once it has been "released" from its imprisonment.
Winning ArtPrize piece trapped inside museum due to government shutdown
https://www.wilx.com/2025/10/10/winning-artprize-piece-trapped-inside-museum-due-government-shutdown/
https://www.wilx.com/2025/10/10/winning-artprize-piece-trapped-inside-museum-due-government-shutdown/
October 10, 2025 at 12:43 AM
It is stunning and I'll look forward to seeing it once it has been "released" from its imprisonment.
“This is how you do it…”
We are thrilled to announce that @aadl.org plans to acquire the Ann Arbor Observer!
Public ownership of local news media is more important than ever, and this acquisition builds on years of partnership and archival work to ensure the future of this priceless community asset.
aadl.org/node/647334
Public ownership of local news media is more important than ever, and this acquisition builds on years of partnership and archival work to ensure the future of this priceless community asset.
aadl.org/node/647334
The Ann Arbor District Library Plans to Acquire the Ann Arbor Observer | Ann Arbor District Library
aadl.org
September 30, 2025 at 1:53 AM
“This is how you do it…”
"The America I love still exists at the front desks of our public libraries.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country
― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country
September 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
"The America I love still exists at the front desks of our public libraries.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country
― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country
Reposted by Debbie Mikula
As I was saying…
Jimmy Kimmel is Back!
YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live
youtu.be
September 24, 2025 at 4:27 AM
As I was saying…
Reposted by Debbie Mikula
Book bans don’t “protect” kids; they erase perspectives, silence voices, and narrow our shared imagination. A free society thrives on stories that challenge, unsettle, and expand our thinking.
Let’s keep our shelves full, not empty.
#FreedomToRead #StopBookBans #IntellectualFreedom #LetKidsRead
Let’s keep our shelves full, not empty.
#FreedomToRead #StopBookBans #IntellectualFreedom #LetKidsRead
September 22, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Book bans don’t “protect” kids; they erase perspectives, silence voices, and narrow our shared imagination. A free society thrives on stories that challenge, unsettle, and expand our thinking.
Let’s keep our shelves full, not empty.
#FreedomToRead #StopBookBans #IntellectualFreedom #LetKidsRead
Let’s keep our shelves full, not empty.
#FreedomToRead #StopBookBans #IntellectualFreedom #LetKidsRead
Join the coalition and sign the petition to protect library materials from censorship.
Library group’s anti-censorship petition to be presented to Whitmer, lawmakers
Book ban attempts sparked the petition requesting Gov. Whitmer and lawmakers uphold First Amendment rights and increase support for state library services.
www.mlive.com
September 16, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Join the coalition and sign the petition to protect library materials from censorship.
Truth!
Opinion | Public libraries belong to everyone. Let’s keep them that way - Bridge Michigan
Public libraries in Michigan are under attack, facing organized efforts to remove books and intimidate library workers. These attempts run counter to what most residents believe: that public libraries...
bridgemi.com
September 6, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Truth!
Reposted by Debbie Mikula
Some good news! A federal judge struck down Florida's book ban law (HB 1069) as unconstitutional, ruling it violated First Amendment protections for school libraries. The victory protects authors' rights and students' access to diverse literature.
More info: authorsguild.org/news/authors...
More info: authorsguild.org/news/authors...
August 14, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Some good news! A federal judge struck down Florida's book ban law (HB 1069) as unconstitutional, ruling it violated First Amendment protections for school libraries. The victory protects authors' rights and students' access to diverse literature.
More info: authorsguild.org/news/authors...
More info: authorsguild.org/news/authors...
Reposted by Debbie Mikula
📰 "The Michigan Library Association is behind the effort, which calls on officials to stand up for residents’ First Amendment rights and protect the freedom to read in libraries across the state."
#MIRighttoRead
#MIRighttoRead
Statewide libraries petition calls for Whitmer, legislature to reject censorship • Michigan Advance
A petition announced Monday would help push back against censorship in Michigan libraries and calls for increased legislative support to statewide catalogs. The Michigan Library Association is behind ...
michiganadvance.com
July 30, 2025 at 5:05 PM
📰 "The Michigan Library Association is behind the effort, which calls on officials to stand up for residents’ First Amendment rights and protect the freedom to read in libraries across the state."
#MIRighttoRead
#MIRighttoRead
Reposted by Debbie Mikula
A federal judge ruled that canceling 1,400+ NEH grants causes REAL HARM to scholars and the public. The court ordered preliminary relief for all affected grantees. What's next? A possible trial. We’re in this fight for the long haul.
Our statement: authorsguild.org/news/the-aut...
Our statement: authorsguild.org/news/the-aut...
July 28, 2025 at 4:25 PM
A federal judge ruled that canceling 1,400+ NEH grants causes REAL HARM to scholars and the public. The court ordered preliminary relief for all affected grantees. What's next? A possible trial. We’re in this fight for the long haul.
Our statement: authorsguild.org/news/the-aut...
Our statement: authorsguild.org/news/the-aut...
Man…that is one MIGHTY show of support!
July 22, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Man…that is one MIGHTY show of support!
Reposted by Debbie Mikula
While the Hartland library’s board will not move forward with a controversial policy to sequester challenged books to a special section or out of view from the general public, ACLU Michigan says they will still monitor the labeling of books for possible misuse.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Local Michigan library board backs away from policy to sequester LGBTQ+ themed books • Michigan Advance
A local Michigan library’s board of trustees will not move forward with a controversial policy to sequester challenged books to a special section or out of view from the general public – which sparked...
michiganadvance.com
June 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
While the Hartland library’s board will not move forward with a controversial policy to sequester challenged books to a special section or out of view from the general public, ACLU Michigan says they will still monitor the labeling of books for possible misuse.
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social
100% agree!!!
LETTER: Libraries shouldn't be political battlegrounds thelivingstonpost.com/letter-libra...
LETTER: Libraries shouldn't be political battlegrounds thelivingstonpost.com/letter-libra...
LETTER: Libraries shouldn't be political battlegrounds
I have been a voracious reader since childhood and have always loved the connection with my community through my library. Libraries have evolved into more that shelving space for books that I couldn’t...
thelivingstonpost.com
June 17, 2025 at 3:59 PM
100% agree!!!
LETTER: Libraries shouldn't be political battlegrounds thelivingstonpost.com/letter-libra...
LETTER: Libraries shouldn't be political battlegrounds thelivingstonpost.com/letter-libra...
Lining the streets in Howell Michigan at the “No Kings” rally! Well done neighbors and friends! Honk! Honk!
June 14, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Lining the streets in Howell Michigan at the “No Kings” rally! Well done neighbors and friends! Honk! Honk!
Never give up hope! “No kings!”
June 14, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Never give up hope! “No kings!”
Reposted by Debbie Mikula
"In this ruling, a majority of the Fifth Circuit has embraced a doctrine that not only permits but also constitutionalizes the removal of books from public libraries by government officials for ideological reasons," reads the statement from EveryLibrary.
This is Government Censorship in its Plainest Form, States EveryLibrary
EveryLibrary responds to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals' Little v. Llano County decision, which will allow the government to remove or restrict access to books from public library shelves.
www.slj.com
June 9, 2025 at 12:26 PM
"In this ruling, a majority of the Fifth Circuit has embraced a doctrine that not only permits but also constitutionalizes the removal of books from public libraries by government officials for ideological reasons," reads the statement from EveryLibrary.
Reposted by Debbie Mikula
Michigan Advance has been reporting on the latest front in the effort to ban or restrict access to books, almost always with LGBTQ+ content, at libraries.
This new policy of “sequestration” is book banning in all but name.
This new policy of “sequestration” is book banning in all but name.
Library Wars Archives • Michigan Advance
LIBRARY WARS The Michigan Advance is reporting on an effort at libraries across Michigan to create barriers to books with LGBTQ+ content or themes in what has become a second front in the culture war...
michiganadvance.com
June 8, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Michigan Advance has been reporting on the latest front in the effort to ban or restrict access to books, almost always with LGBTQ+ content, at libraries.
This new policy of “sequestration” is book banning in all but name.
This new policy of “sequestration” is book banning in all but name.
Reposted by Debbie Mikula
In case you missed:
Following a public outcry, the U.S. Naval Academy returned titles by Maya Angelou, Harper Lee, and others that were purged under Pentagon orders targeting race and gender discourse. (The 19th News)
www.slj.com/story/Navy-R...
Following a public outcry, the U.S. Naval Academy returned titles by Maya Angelou, Harper Lee, and others that were purged under Pentagon orders targeting race and gender discourse. (The 19th News)
www.slj.com/story/Navy-R...
June 8, 2025 at 11:13 AM
In case you missed:
Following a public outcry, the U.S. Naval Academy returned titles by Maya Angelou, Harper Lee, and others that were purged under Pentagon orders targeting race and gender discourse. (The 19th News)
www.slj.com/story/Navy-R...
Following a public outcry, the U.S. Naval Academy returned titles by Maya Angelou, Harper Lee, and others that were purged under Pentagon orders targeting race and gender discourse. (The 19th News)
www.slj.com/story/Navy-R...
It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee
and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity, including those which some individuals in our society may consider to be unconventional, unpopular, or unacceptable.
and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity, including those which some individuals in our society may consider to be unconventional, unpopular, or unacceptable.
The new front in the effort to muzzle First Amendment rights is “sequestration” of books with LGBTQ+ content at local libraries. This second piece in our series on this effort is from @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social and looks at the Lapeer District Library.
As members of a Livingston County library board march toward restricting materials deemed inappropriate, a similar effort is brewing in nearby Lapeer County, part of what’s become a renewed effort in the culture war over children’s books with LGBTQ+ content.
Story by @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social
Story by @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social
June 6, 2025 at 12:18 AM
It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee
and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity, including those which some individuals in our society may consider to be unconventional, unpopular, or unacceptable.
and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity, including those which some individuals in our society may consider to be unconventional, unpopular, or unacceptable.
Moving books is still censorship! Labeling books is still censorship! Can't get any simpler...Libraries welcome all, have a diversity of books available for all, believe in the first amendment for all, and trust their qualified and educated librarians to do the work they are trained to do!
A new front in the culture war over children’s books with LGBTQ+ content or themes has opened in a handful of libraries across Michigan: the attempted sequestration, labeling or creating of special sections for those books deemed inappropriate by public libraries.
Story by @bensolis1.bsky.social
Story by @bensolis1.bsky.social
Parental Guidance: A new front emerges in battle between far-right, LGBTQ+ themed books • Michigan Advance
Picture, if you will, a library with its books behind a plated glass cabinet, locked and out of reach to patrons of all ages, accessible only upon request to a library employee who has the appropriate...
michiganadvance.com
June 4, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Moving books is still censorship! Labeling books is still censorship! Can't get any simpler...Libraries welcome all, have a diversity of books available for all, believe in the first amendment for all, and trust their qualified and educated librarians to do the work they are trained to do!
Reposted by Debbie Mikula
A pair of U.K. scholars discovered the mislabeled document in Harvard Law School's digital archives. The university bought it for just $27.50 in 1946. It turned out to be an authentic copy dating to 1300.
Harvard learned it has an authentic Magna Carta. In 1946, it paid less than $28 for it
A pair of U.K. scholars discovered the mislabled document in Harvard Law School's digital archives. The university bought it for just $27.50 in 1946. It turned out to be an authentic copy dating to 1...
www.npr.org
May 15, 2025 at 6:13 PM
A pair of U.K. scholars discovered the mislabeled document in Harvard Law School's digital archives. The university bought it for just $27.50 in 1946. It turned out to be an authentic copy dating to 1300.