Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · 3d

Enjoyed a lovely drive to Des Moines and headed to the Brooklyn Public Library to celebrate #IntellectualFreedom and #FreePeopleReadFreely during an evening with the great @georgetakei.bsky.social.

Soliciting petitions and prayers for smooth and safe travels!! ☕️ 📚

Let’s do some good!
#Freadom

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Reposted by Sam Helmick

SXSW EDU @sxswedu.com · 7d

Discover how you can create literary freedom that helps LGBTQ+ youth feel safe, seen, and valued with Featured speakers PFLAG National CEO Brian Bond, “Red, White, and Royal Blue” author Casey McQuiston, ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social, and education reporter Nadra Kareem Nittle.

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · 16d

Headed to the Library of Congress for a terminology workshop this week!

Not enough time for coffee but got some emails out. ☕️ 💻

Soliciting good thoughts, petitions, and prayers for travel mercies please. 💜 ✈️

#AlwaysLearning
#Grateful #Blessed

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · 17d

Passing a cozy afternoon in a comfy sweater, with a cup of coffee, and a stack of comics. #HappyMaking #AmReading

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · 24d

Grateful for the fellowship with @raushenbush.bsky.social on State of Belief podcast to explore freedom, faith, libraries, and #LibraryCardSignUpMonth. 💜

religionnews.com/2025/09/13/l...

#ShowUpForOurLibraries

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · 28d

Absolutely loved connecting with neighbors and new friends tonight at Tiny Art Show through the North Liberty Library!

Started with a miniature self portrait on a Post It note, but couldn’t figure out a good way to transfer it, so doodled a more simplistic self portrait instead.

🖼️ 🐿️ 🎨 📚

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Sep 6

Volunteering a bit this morning at the #NatBookFest between library visits and meetups. It’s amazing to connect with the amazing folks who love to read and gift time and energy into this incredible event.

#ReadersAreLeaders

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Sep 5

"When we treat libraries as communities rather than commodities, we serve with love and respect, ensuring they remain strong, welcoming, and sustainable for all."

American Libraries magazine @amlibraries.bsky.social · Sep 4

"Sustainability is a promise we make to future generations that libraries will continue to be cornerstones of community life and prosperity." ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social reflects on this core value. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/02/sustainability-at-our-core/

Sustainability at Our Core | American Libraries Magazine

Sustainability is a promise we make to future generations that libraries will continue to be cornerstones of community life and prosperity.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org

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Reposted by Sam Helmick

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · Aug 20

Libraries belong at #SXSW.
Voting is open through August 24. Cast your vote for these library-themed panels today.
📚💙

Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Aug 5

Oh! We have lots of lovely library panels to pick for SXSW this year!

participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...

Time to #RockTheVote! 🗳️

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Aug 9

Catching up on some Harvard Business Review before my #SaturdayLibrarian shift.

☕️ 📚

#alwayslearning
#saturdaymorning

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Aug 5

Oh! We have lots of lovely library panels to pick for SXSW this year!

participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...

Time to #RockTheVote! 🗳️

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Jul 25

Thank you @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social Staff for letting me borrow office space while I’m in DC this week.

It was joyful to share croissants, record for TikTok, and be where such great work is happening on behalf of membership & the communities libraries serve.

#ShowUpForOurLibraries
#happymaking

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Jul 25

My heart is filled with hope and my course more determined after an uplifting night listening and learning from Dr. Carla Hayden and Stacey Abrams with @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social Public Policy and Advocacy Office Associate Executive Director, Lisa Varga.

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Jul 24

Watch party!!!!!

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · Jul 23

The #ALAAC25 session everyone’s been talking about is coming to C-SPAN!
Tune in this Sunday, July 27 at 4:35 PM EDT to see Carla Hayden, former Librarian of Congress, talk with Kwame Alexander about her remarkable career & the unexpected firing that rocked the library world.
www.c-span.org/bookTv/

Dr. Carla Hayden on stage at ALA Annual Conference.

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Jul 24

Do all things with a spirit of encouragement, a heart full of love, and a hope that does not fade—believing always that your striving can stir the world toward good.

There are so many wonderful people in the world —many giving their time and talents to libraries and the communities served by them.

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Reposted by Sam Helmick

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · Jul 16

New in @amlibraries.bsky.social: What's the current state of play for federal library funding?

ALA's Kevin Maher breaks down the latest news and developments, including the appropriations process, IMLS authorization, and more: americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-sc... #ForOurLibraries

Checking In on Federal Library Funding | American Libraries Magazine

Now is the time to take stock of progress on library priorities, particularly federal funding and the upcoming budget showdown.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Jul 16

Treadmill at moderate speed? ✅
Great walking tunes? ✅
Engaging reading material? ✅

Reading, music, and movement are good for the body and mind.

What’s your self care of choice today?

#MidWeekMotivation
#AmReading #HappyMaking

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Jul 13

Excited to catch the last day of Snake Alley Festival of Film!

Lots of wonderful and thought provoking submissions this year.

#HomeForTheWeekend
#snakealleyfestivaloffilm

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Jul 11

Blueberry Pie Oreos are back and honestly? New Oreo flavor day should be a national holiday.

Willpower: zero. Joy: maximum.

🫐 🥧 🍪

#Oreo #HappyMaking

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Jul 2

Honored to serve as @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social President, to share our stories, and to #ShowUpForOurLibraries with you all!

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · Jul 1

The gavel has been passed! Thank you, Cindy Hohl, for your incredible leadership. Congrats to Sam Helmick, ALA’s 2025–2026 President! Their theme, "Our Stories Are Worth Sharing," will focus on community building, advocacy, storytelling, and education/economic development.

#ALAAC25
#ForOurLibraries

2024-2025 ALA President Cindy Hohl passes a glass gavel to 2025-2026 ALA President Sam Helmick at the 2025 ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia.

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Jul 1

Knocking out a few important phone calls before we head back to Iowa from the @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social #ALAAC25!

Safe and happy travels home, everyone!
Solicitations for travel mercy prayer and petition.

🍌 💜 📚 ✈️

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Jun 28

Rocking a morning walk and some coffee before @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social Council Orientation.

Are we ready to Show Up for Libraries today, #ALAAC25?

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Jun 23

✅ packed for #ALAAC25

✅ reviewed and approved timesheets

✅ little time for l breakfast and a devotional

Hoping everyone has a blessed start to their week!

Rooting for you and the paths youll illuminate for others though your care, diligence, and love!

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Jun 13

Visiting OBA Amsterdam has been a longstanding dream! 🇳🇱 📚 💜

Beyond delighted to chat over lunch with Director Berendse about their excellent collections and services for the People as well ad the history and core values of librarianship in the Netherlands.

#AlwaysLearning
#LibraryLife

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Sam Helmick @samhelmick.bsky.social · Jun 12

💕Le mur des je t’aime!! 💕

Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito’s wall is composed of 612 tiles of enamelled lava, on which the phrase ‘I love you’ is featured 311 times in 250 languages!