Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 4d

Absolutely adored the Salem Public Library. AND they have a copy of my book!

William dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz in the library stacks holding a copy of Librarian Tales.

William dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz standing in front of the Salem Public Library, a red brick building with an iron fence around it.

William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 4d

We’re not in Kansas anymore! @natechamberlain.com and I hitched a ride on a twister to run the Witch City 5k in Salem, MA.

Nate dressed like the Scarecrow and William dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 6d

Took a quick trip to London last month ✈️

A Quick Trip Across the Pond (Part 1) – London, England

In early September, Nate and I ventured overseas on a spontaneous-ish trip to London to accompany a friend who wished to see her favorite actor in a stage production in the West End. Having been tw…

williamandnate.com

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 6d

City Market Coffee wins my new favorite pumpkin spiced latte — with coconut! #KansasCity

An iced pumpkin spiced latte in a plastic cup with an espresso scoop with wings on it. In the background is the coffee shop with brick walls and plants.

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Rachel Storm @rachelsstorm.bsky.social · 7d

Banned Books Week is next week, and I highly encourage you to take some kind of action against government censorship of libraries now before your freedom to read is gone. @heykellyjensen.bsky.social is an incredible resource I highly recommend.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 7d

Oh, another reason I'm crying at my desk.

Jane Goodall, famed primatologist and conservationist, dies at 91

Jane Goodall, the most prolific primatologist of a generation, has died. She was 91 years old.

abcnews.go.com

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 7d

No, that wasn't me breaking down crying at my desk after telling a patron with developmental disabilities that we were able to order a movie for them and they responded, "Like I always say, everyone here at the library is the best."

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Librarian Problems @librarianproblems.bsky.social · 8d

When all your cardigans are dirty

a girl says " i have absolutely nothing to wear "

Alt: GIF of Hillary Duff looking at a full rack of clothes. Caption reads, “I have absolutely nothing to wear.”

media.tenor.com

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ALA Public Policy & Advocacy @librarypolicy.bsky.social · 8d

ALA President Sam Helmick on today's vote: "ALA is both disappointed by the FCC’s takebacks and discouraged by the lack of due process, which left no opportunity for staff, patrons and library advocates to give input on the draft order."

Read more ⤵️ #ForOurLibraries

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · 8d

NEW: ALA is deeply disappointed in the FCC's vote today to end #ERate funding support for wi-fi hotspot lending programs at libraries and schools.

We don't yet know the full extent of the impacts, but we know that libraries & their communities rely on this support: www.ala.org/news/2025/09...

ALA disappointed by FCC takebacks, lack of due process in decision to end library hotspots, school bus Wi-Fi

The American Library Association (ALA) and partners in the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, expressed disappointment with today’s FCC vote to end E-Rate support for library and ...

www.ala.org

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Mychal Threets @mychal3ts.bsky.social · 9d

🎶 Take a look, it's in a book 🎶

🥹 After nearly 20 years... Reading Rainbow is returning to motivate, help, and encourage kids to become avid readers with new episodes, new friends, new projects, and of course... new books! Make sure to follow the rainbow 📚🌈

#FollowTheRainbow

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 10d

Someone’s not looking forward to Monday.

A black and white tuxedo cat with his head on the arm of a gray couch. He looks despondent.

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Librarian Problems @librarianproblems.bsky.social · 14d

When someone says your library is the best library

a woman is standing in front of a wall of pictures and a sign that says 100 % true

Alt: GIF of Britney from Glee in front of a wall of pictures looking at a forkful of cake. Caption reads, “100% true”

media.tenor.com

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Samira Ahmed @samiraahmed.bsky.social · 14d

A great thread reminding us how local politics is and how we can and must push back against the Right's attempts to censor and ban books & content in our schools. Join your PTA, be aware of what they're doing, go to school board meetings. Vote in your local elections & also for your PTA officers.

Jessica Horton @jessicahorton.bsky.social · 15d

Something I see a lot of (and have personally advocated for) in the freedom to read space is getting involved in school board meetings. Which is great! Advocating at the district level is a great place to start.

But I think we need to get even more local than that. I’m talking about the PTA.

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Martha Hickson @sassylibrarian.bsky.social · 14d

“Incredibly principled and brave, the librarians talk about their vocation and standing up for the young people for whom libraries are a safe space where they can discover their identity in the pages of books. They really are superwomen.”

The Librarians review – the heroic women battling against book bans and censorship

Kim A Snyder’s documentary highlights the defenders of young readers’ rights to see their lives in print facing rightwing attacks

www.theguardian.com

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 16d

Celebrating the autumnal equinox

A large coffee mug with R2-D2 on it next to a paper plate with an apple cider donut on it. The mug has “You R2 awesome” on it.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 21d

Baxter is so done with this day

A black and white tuxedo cat on a yellow blanket, head resting on a bump. He looks bored and tired.

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Librarian Problems @librarianproblems.bsky.social · 21d

Trying to comprehend the organization of a friend’s bookshelf

a close up of a woman 's face with a triangle and a mathematical formula .

Alt: A close up of a woman's face. She has a thoughtful expression, and mathematical symbols and figures appear in front of her.

media.tenor.com

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 23d

So looking forward to this one! I buy all Adib's books, but sharing for those who love freebies.

Adib Khorram @adibkhorram.bsky.social · 23d

oh what's that? a goodreads giveaway of my next YA?

Book giveaway for One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram Sep 15-Oct 13, 2025

Enter to win one of 50 free copies available. Giveaway dates from Sep 15-Oct 13, 2025. Enter for a chance to win an advance galley of ONE WORD, SIX LETTE...

bit.ly

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Chuck Wendig @chuckwendig.bsky.social · 23d

Everything is bad, but books are good. Get a book. Read the book. Cherish the book. Finish the book. Tell your friends about the book, and leave a review of the book. Hold the book close. Listen to what it tells you. Do as it commands. Place it on the dread altar and let it guide your every choice.

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Martha Hickson @sassylibrarian.bsky.social · 26d

💯 this 👇 At every screening of @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social I’ve been urging audiences to send an e-mail or card to the school and public librarians in their community. Let them know that when book banners strike, you’ll be there to stand up for the freedom to read. Librarians can’t do it alone.

NWArkProgressive @arkprogressive.bsky.social · 26d

Do this - find the address of your local library and send a note or card!

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 26d

Good Friday morning! Your assignment this weekend! Put some care in the world!

Give someone you love a book you love. Tell an author why they're important to you. Send a thank you note to a librarian. Add a banned book to a little free library w a note about why it matters. Add care.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 26d

This 5k run was tougher than @natechamberlain.com and I thought!

Climbing hills at the Tiblow Trot 5K – Bonner Springs, KS

This year we finally checked off a Kansas City classic: the Tiblow Trot. Held every August in Bonner Springs, the race is known for its small-town charm, community feel, and—most of all—its hills. …

williamandnate.com

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skellyton bones jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 27d

Two high schoolers wrote a love letter about their high school librarian and the banned books club they're part of. This is really moving and thoughtful and a reminder that kids know exactly what the hell is going on right now.

www.chalkbeat.org/2025/09/09/s...

Why schools need libraries and librarians like Mr. Biddle

How our school library and its book club focused on banned books changed us for the better.

www.chalkbeat.org

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Matthew Noe @noethematt.bsky.social · 27d

Fellow library workers: the usual bad actors are very much watching our posts about recent events and trying to use them to paint librarianship as responsible for all things evil, including one of yesterday's shootings.

Just so you know.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 28d

Getting ready to host my second Bookworm Speed Dating event. Full registration. I’ve never had more fun at the library!

A room full of tables for an event. Each set with “Bookworm Speed Dating” handouts, colorful bookmarks, wrapped books, and a mug with flowers.

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Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · Sep 9

Y’all, Missouri needs our help📢
Spread the word…

The GOP is trying to ram through another redistricting power grab, but there’s a secret weapon: a referendum —to block it.

All it takes is 106,000 signatures across 6 districts. Let’s make sure Missouri voters, not politicians, decide.

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