Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
@justbeyondthepages.bsky.social
Recent MLIS grad and prison librarian. I write about all things libraries, books, information access (Blog under development/hiatus)📚📜 Sam Ward, She/They
Opinions are strictly my own and do not represent my employer.
Opinions are strictly my own and do not represent my employer.
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
The public library is an essential component of a 21st-century left political project as an example of both what is already available to us and what can be improved upon in the future. The library is a public good, and it is free as a public service.
I want more people to make the connections.
I want more people to make the connections.
January 31, 2026 at 10:58 PM
The public library is an essential component of a 21st-century left political project as an example of both what is already available to us and what can be improved upon in the future. The library is a public good, and it is free as a public service.
I want more people to make the connections.
I want more people to make the connections.
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
Gather up a group of friends for the online premiere of @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social on PBS February 9th! Or check it out on their app and watch it on your own timetable that day! It's a powerful look at the attacks on school boards and the freedom to read. www.pbs.org/independentl...
The Librarians | Book Policies Documentary | Independent Lens
The Librarians follows librarians and citizens responding to restrictions on library content across the United States.
www.pbs.org
February 2, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Gather up a group of friends for the online premiere of @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social on PBS February 9th! Or check it out on their app and watch it on your own timetable that day! It's a powerful look at the attacks on school boards and the freedom to read. www.pbs.org/independentl...
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
In solidarity with all those standing up for our communities against the brutality of immigrant detention and ICE occupation, we're offering free ebooks of three crucial books about migrant justice and border abolition.
We’ve also added a list of additional recommended reading:
We’ve also added a list of additional recommended reading:
Free Ebooks: Abolish ICE, Abolish the Border
In solidarity with all those standing up for our communities against the brutality of immigrant detention and ICE occupation, we're offering free ebooks of three crucial books about migrant justice an...
www.haymarketbooks.org
January 26, 2026 at 5:13 PM
In solidarity with all those standing up for our communities against the brutality of immigrant detention and ICE occupation, we're offering free ebooks of three crucial books about migrant justice and border abolition.
We’ve also added a list of additional recommended reading:
We’ve also added a list of additional recommended reading:
For the first time since starting this job, I have a patron who qualifies for / requested talking books from our state's library services for the blind and print disabled. 📚📜
(Image: A black and grey talking book, white cartridge, and blue case.)
(Not My State): www.pbclibrary.org/talking-books/)
(Image: A black and grey talking book, white cartridge, and blue case.)
(Not My State): www.pbclibrary.org/talking-books/)
Talking Books
Talking Books for Visually Impaired
Talking Books is a free service to any resident of the United States or American citizen abroad…
www.pbclibrary.org
January 21, 2026 at 7:07 PM
For the first time since starting this job, I have a patron who qualifies for / requested talking books from our state's library services for the blind and print disabled. 📚📜
(Image: A black and grey talking book, white cartridge, and blue case.)
(Not My State): www.pbclibrary.org/talking-books/)
(Image: A black and grey talking book, white cartridge, and blue case.)
(Not My State): www.pbclibrary.org/talking-books/)
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
Oh hey, looks like Libby has a built in spot to let them know what we all think of their recent announcement about allowing AI books in their systems.
January 13, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Oh hey, looks like Libby has a built in spot to let them know what we all think of their recent announcement about allowing AI books in their systems.
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
📣FREE RESOURCE ALERT🎉For the entire month of January our latest issue of BOOKLIST will be FREE & OPEN TO ALL! Spotlighting readers' advisory, book discussions, & early reading it has everything you need to plan, program, and prepare for 2026! Train staff, teach students, and read now: bit.ly/452A0vp
January 9, 2026 at 5:05 PM
📣FREE RESOURCE ALERT🎉For the entire month of January our latest issue of BOOKLIST will be FREE & OPEN TO ALL! Spotlighting readers' advisory, book discussions, & early reading it has everything you need to plan, program, and prepare for 2026! Train staff, teach students, and read now: bit.ly/452A0vp
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
If you haven’t had a chance to see The Librarians yet, there is a virtual screening happening this Saturday, January 10 at 8pm ET.
tinyurl.com/TheLibrarian...
tinyurl.com/TheLibrarian...
The Librarians Screening & Online Right To Read Rally
Get tickets for the virtual screening of The Librarians
tinyurl.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:53 PM
If you haven’t had a chance to see The Librarians yet, there is a virtual screening happening this Saturday, January 10 at 8pm ET.
tinyurl.com/TheLibrarian...
tinyurl.com/TheLibrarian...
It’s official! I have finally graduated with my MLIS, and I could not be more thrilled, grateful, and (a little) exhausted from this journey so far. 📚 📜
Taking a rest for now but I have some cool plans for my next steps in the new year ✨
Taking a rest for now but I have some cool plans for my next steps in the new year ✨
December 27, 2025 at 12:22 AM
It’s official! I have finally graduated with my MLIS, and I could not be more thrilled, grateful, and (a little) exhausted from this journey so far. 📚 📜
Taking a rest for now but I have some cool plans for my next steps in the new year ✨
Taking a rest for now but I have some cool plans for my next steps in the new year ✨
It feels so strange to be at work on Christmas Eve (We're getting tomorrow and Friday off instead this year.), but me and my light up wreath earrings are keeping things festive ❄️🎄🎁
December 24, 2025 at 1:38 PM
It feels so strange to be at work on Christmas Eve (We're getting tomorrow and Friday off instead this year.), but me and my light up wreath earrings are keeping things festive ❄️🎄🎁
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
Archivists/librarians please share the coolest thing in your collections that will never be digitized.
I live in the heart of California gold country. One of the richest mines ever in CA is nearby. Opened circa 1860 closed 1942. A local foundation has preserved the records on site. I know not a stitch has been digitized and am confident no more than 2 pro historians have ever been in there.
December 22, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Archivists/librarians please share the coolest thing in your collections that will never be digitized.
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
They Sent Me a Pile of Christmas Cards. I Shared Them With My Whole Prison.
They Sent Me a Pile of Christmas Cards. I Shared Them With My Whole Prison.
As the festive images and heartfelt messages spread, so too did a sense of peace.
prisonjournalismproject.org
December 22, 2025 at 5:01 PM
They Sent Me a Pile of Christmas Cards. I Shared Them With My Whole Prison.
A study just came out of Colorado looking at prison libraries' contributions to pro-social behavior / reentry success, and I am very much looking forward to diving into it this evening to see their findings! 📚📜
www.lrs.org/the-prism-pr...
www.lrs.org/the-prism-pr...
The PRISM Project – Library Research Service
www.lrs.org
December 15, 2025 at 5:50 PM
A study just came out of Colorado looking at prison libraries' contributions to pro-social behavior / reentry success, and I am very much looking forward to diving into it this evening to see their findings! 📚📜
www.lrs.org/the-prism-pr...
www.lrs.org/the-prism-pr...
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
Any #Skybrarians looking for free education? OSU offers a free Teaching Information Literacy Course!
u.osu.edu/teachinginfo...
u.osu.edu/teachinginfo...
Teaching Information Literacy Certificate (Non-Ohio State Participants) | Teaching Information Literacy at Ohio State
u.osu.edu
December 5, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Any #Skybrarians looking for free education? OSU offers a free Teaching Information Literacy Course!
u.osu.edu/teachinginfo...
u.osu.edu/teachinginfo...
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
I already posted about this but genuinely, this is why we don't back down. (And even if this hadn't happened, we'd have kept fighting.)
The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored all previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge
"Restoration of these grants is a massive win for libraries of all kinds in all states."
"Restoration of these grants is a massive win for libraries of all kinds in all states."
ALA welcomes reinstatement of all federal IMLS grants to libraries
Today, the American Library Association (ALA) greeted an announcement by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that it had reinstated all the agency’s grants.
www.ala.org
December 4, 2025 at 5:12 PM
I already posted about this but genuinely, this is why we don't back down. (And even if this hadn't happened, we'd have kept fighting.)
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
Every year for the last several, I've put together a bookish gift guide where everything is under $30. Here's your gifts for readers on a budget guide for 2025: bookriot.com/gifts-for-re...
The Best Bookish Gifts For Under $30
Looking for the best bookish gifts for readers and you're on a budget? Check out these bookish goods for under $30.
bookriot.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Every year for the last several, I've put together a bookish gift guide where everything is under $30. Here's your gifts for readers on a budget guide for 2025: bookriot.com/gifts-for-re...
Capstone portfolio was accepted, regalia is ordered, and I’m finishing up my final class assignment this afternoon. Graduation is so close I can taste it!
📚📜
📚📜
November 30, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Capstone portfolio was accepted, regalia is ordered, and I’m finishing up my final class assignment this afternoon. Graduation is so close I can taste it!
📚📜
📚📜
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
I'm going to get something up Monday but in the mean time, y'all, IMLS got a *massive* win today.
The judge in the case between 21 states and the administration blocked further dismantling of the IMLS by Trump. It'll be appealed, but we've gotta take the Ws.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-a-major-v...
The judge in the case between 21 states and the administration blocked further dismantling of the IMLS by Trump. It'll be appealed, but we've gotta take the Ws.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-a-major-v...
In a Major Victory, Rhode Island Judge Permanently Blocks Trump's Bid to Shutter the IMLS
In a November 21 summary judgment ruling, judge John J. McConnell held that the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the IMLS and several other federal agencies via executive order was both ill...
www.wordsandmoney.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I'm going to get something up Monday but in the mean time, y'all, IMLS got a *massive* win today.
The judge in the case between 21 states and the administration blocked further dismantling of the IMLS by Trump. It'll be appealed, but we've gotta take the Ws.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-a-major-v...
The judge in the case between 21 states and the administration blocked further dismantling of the IMLS by Trump. It'll be appealed, but we've gotta take the Ws.
www.wordsandmoney.com/in-a-major-v...
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
Closing soon, our representation statistics survey. If you are ND and work in libraries archives and information then please fill this in, thankyou.
✨We're delighted with the response to our survey for #neurodivergent staff in the #library & information sector
It takes 10 mins, so if you haven’t already filled it in, please think about doing so (closing date is 30/11/25)⬇️
lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
psst. Pass it on!
It takes 10 mins, so if you haven’t already filled it in, please think about doing so (closing date is 30/11/25)⬇️
lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
psst. Pass it on!
a man in a tie says attention everyone
ALT: a man in a tie says attention everyone
media.tenor.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Closing soon, our representation statistics survey. If you are ND and work in libraries archives and information then please fill this in, thankyou.
I don’t say this with pride but I have somehow managed to sustain the habit of procrastinating on assignments till the last minute from middle school all the way through grad school.
November 14, 2025 at 1:26 AM
I don’t say this with pride but I have somehow managed to sustain the habit of procrastinating on assignments till the last minute from middle school all the way through grad school.
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
In the last half decade, our writers have shared stories about surviving extreme heat, navigating broken health care, and being shut out of elections. One of our most read pieces of 2025 is about how kittens softened an entire yard.
Help support our work:
Help support our work:
Donate | Prison Journalism Project
Prison Journalism Project is supported by people like you. Support Prison Journalism Project today.
prisonjournalismproject.fundjournalism.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:15 PM
In the last half decade, our writers have shared stories about surviving extreme heat, navigating broken health care, and being shut out of elections. One of our most read pieces of 2025 is about how kittens softened an entire yard.
Help support our work:
Help support our work:
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
If you don't subscribe to my newsletter–it's not the Book Riot ones but a personal side project–don't miss out on tomorrow's story. Everything here is always free, but paid subscribers help keep my kid in books <3
buttondown.com/wellsourced
buttondown.com/wellsourced
Well Sourced by Kelly Jensen
It’s everything you are curious about when it comes to books, reading, censorship, and libraries within the context of pop culture and mental health. If you like getting curious and appreciate well-so...
buttondown.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:51 PM
If you don't subscribe to my newsletter–it's not the Book Riot ones but a personal side project–don't miss out on tomorrow's story. Everything here is always free, but paid subscribers help keep my kid in books <3
buttondown.com/wellsourced
buttondown.com/wellsourced
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
My library is still dealing with the repercussions of a local election that took place over a decade ago. "Down ballot" elections are really, really, really important and this is the hill I choose to die on.
You need to vote. Yes, in every election. Yes, even down-ballot elections. Yes, even if there's only one thing on your ballot. YES YES YES, VOTE EVERY SINGLE ELECTION. Your vote matters. Your voice matters. It is your civic duty!
November 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
My library is still dealing with the repercussions of a local election that took place over a decade ago. "Down ballot" elections are really, really, really important and this is the hill I choose to die on.
Work finally said we could do (simple) costumes this year. Me and my yellow cardigan couldn’t pass up the chance to be Arthur!
(Yes, the nose ring stayed in 😂)
📚📜
(Yes, the nose ring stayed in 😂)
📚📜
October 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Work finally said we could do (simple) costumes this year. Me and my yellow cardigan couldn’t pass up the chance to be Arthur!
(Yes, the nose ring stayed in 😂)
📚📜
(Yes, the nose ring stayed in 😂)
📚📜
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
Hey library folk libraries are often the first place people go to find out where they can get help. With the SNAP suspension looming creating a list of local food pantries and other organizations that may be able to assist is one way we can help out vulnerable patrons! This is one I made:
📚📜
📚📜
I made a resource list for people served by my library that may be affected by the SNAP benefit suspension:
Resources for People affected by the SNAP Benefit Suspension — a staff-created list from Johnson County Library
A list of links to Food Pantries and other resources in and around Johnson County that may be able to provide assistance for people affected by the suspension of SNAP benefits in November.
Also inclu...
jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Hey library folk libraries are often the first place people go to find out where they can get help. With the SNAP suspension looming creating a list of local food pantries and other organizations that may be able to assist is one way we can help out vulnerable patrons! This is one I made:
📚📜
📚📜
Reposted by Just Beyond the Pages (Sam Ward)
I hate gay Halloween what do you mean you’re an uncataloged book someone tried to rebind with duct tape
October 31, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I hate gay Halloween what do you mean you’re an uncataloged book someone tried to rebind with duct tape