Stewart Parsons
@libraryfiend.bsky.social
Founder of Get It Loud In Libraries www.loudinlibraries.com cool programme of doorstep library gigs with future BRIT & Grammy winners. Born to live in Scotland. Lover of music, books, libraries, radio, dogs, PNE & wife Elizabeth. A BEM, no less.
Pinned
Stewart Parsons
@libraryfiend.bsky.social
· Jun 17
So,as a little thought-experiment, tell me something about the United Kingdom that works well and is actually quite impressive. I am not trying to sound like some boosterish politician. I just genuinely believe that making people believe that all is lost is a convenient pretext for shady characters.
For 175 years, public libraries, despite often steeply declining Govt support, have served the educational, information and entertainment needs of the general public. Staffed by a committed national family of workers determined to transform the life chances of some 7.3mill people.Oh, and it's free.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Top Adrian Chiles Columns of 2025:
I’ve given up wild swimming. So why does my Volvo smell like mince?
Should I tell the postman he has halitosis? My first wife wouldn’t let me wear shorts.
I buried my father with my bare hands. It’s time we stopped talking about glamping. 1/3
I’ve given up wild swimming. So why does my Volvo smell like mince?
Should I tell the postman he has halitosis? My first wife wouldn’t let me wear shorts.
I buried my father with my bare hands. It’s time we stopped talking about glamping. 1/3
December 29, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Top Adrian Chiles Columns of 2025:
I’ve given up wild swimming. So why does my Volvo smell like mince?
Should I tell the postman he has halitosis? My first wife wouldn’t let me wear shorts.
I buried my father with my bare hands. It’s time we stopped talking about glamping. 1/3
I’ve given up wild swimming. So why does my Volvo smell like mince?
Should I tell the postman he has halitosis? My first wife wouldn’t let me wear shorts.
I buried my father with my bare hands. It’s time we stopped talking about glamping. 1/3
I know @iandunt.bsky.social has posted about this disruption to 6 Music listeners' otherwise happy cultural equilibrium before - the BBC news clips are like nails scraping on a blackboard and as welcome as the ads flogging cars and funerals on commercial radio.
Not blaming 6 specifically, bbc news is is own thing and the editorial slant is clearly doing this sort of thing at the moment, and it’s very harmful
December 29, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I know @iandunt.bsky.social has posted about this disruption to 6 Music listeners' otherwise happy cultural equilibrium before - the BBC news clips are like nails scraping on a blackboard and as welcome as the ads flogging cars and funerals on commercial radio.
'Complex' as in this is real and actually happening...
Trump: "It's funny, I settled 8 wars. Some were going on for 35 years. And we got them settled in a couple of days. Some of them -- one was going on for 37 years. I settled it in one day. But this is a very complex one."
December 29, 2025 at 8:07 AM
'Complex' as in this is real and actually happening...
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Ask yourself: If Donald Trump was a Russian asset, what would he be doing differently?
If your answer is “nothing,” then ask yourself this:
If the US President is a Russian asset, what should *I* be doing differently?
If your answer is “nothing,” then ask yourself this:
If the US President is a Russian asset, what should *I* be doing differently?
Trump: "Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed. It sounds a little strange but President Putin was very generous in his feeling toward Ukraine succeeding, including supplying energy, electricity and other things at very low prices."
December 29, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Ask yourself: If Donald Trump was a Russian asset, what would he be doing differently?
If your answer is “nothing,” then ask yourself this:
If the US President is a Russian asset, what should *I* be doing differently?
If your answer is “nothing,” then ask yourself this:
If the US President is a Russian asset, what should *I* be doing differently?
Excellent, forward - looking article from @marthagill.bsky.social advocating for the power of libraries. Personally I think £22million is peanuts to introduce a national library card that could futureproof the levels of literacy & all the inherent life changing benefits, for the next generation.
December 28, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Excellent, forward - looking article from @marthagill.bsky.social advocating for the power of libraries. Personally I think £22million is peanuts to introduce a national library card that could futureproof the levels of literacy & all the inherent life changing benefits, for the next generation.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
This is literally what the Telegraph campaigned for.
December 27, 2025 at 9:42 AM
This is literally what the Telegraph campaigned for.
These responses to 'How are you?' are mordantly funny. My regular riposte is 'None the better for seeing you' which is not as rude as implied....
December 27, 2025 at 11:35 AM
These responses to 'How are you?' are mordantly funny. My regular riposte is 'None the better for seeing you' which is not as rude as implied....
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
We need to talk about the crisis in Christmas telly. Hoping something good (other than Amandaland) will materialise if I stare at the Radio Times long enough
December 25, 2025 at 7:20 PM
We need to talk about the crisis in Christmas telly. Hoping something good (other than Amandaland) will materialise if I stare at the Radio Times long enough
I still find it galling that my one cultural safe space - BBC 6 Music - was invaded & soiled by this abject dirtbag in the mid 2000s...
Goodness me, it’s like someone rewrote The Twelve Days of Christmas with sex pests www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Russell Brand charged with new rape and sexual assault offences
Russell Brand will appear in court on 20 January 2026 over the new charges.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
I still find it galling that my one cultural safe space - BBC 6 Music - was invaded & soiled by this abject dirtbag in the mid 2000s...
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Community. Note.
December 23, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Community. Note.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Left: Greta Thunberg arrested for holding a placard in London
Right: Labour's Baron Hain, "This gov is treating Palestine action as equivalent to ISIS or al-Qaeda, which is intellectually bankrupt, politically unprincipled and morally wrong. I'm deeply ashamed"
Right: Labour's Baron Hain, "This gov is treating Palestine action as equivalent to ISIS or al-Qaeda, which is intellectually bankrupt, politically unprincipled and morally wrong. I'm deeply ashamed"
December 23, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Left: Greta Thunberg arrested for holding a placard in London
Right: Labour's Baron Hain, "This gov is treating Palestine action as equivalent to ISIS or al-Qaeda, which is intellectually bankrupt, politically unprincipled and morally wrong. I'm deeply ashamed"
Right: Labour's Baron Hain, "This gov is treating Palestine action as equivalent to ISIS or al-Qaeda, which is intellectually bankrupt, politically unprincipled and morally wrong. I'm deeply ashamed"
These people aren't normal.
Senior Reform candidate writes:
"People from other religions should eat bacon for a month to prove their Christian sincerity and credentials."
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
"People from other religions should eat bacon for a month to prove their Christian sincerity and credentials."
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reform candidate slammed over 'bacon' religion comment as Farage faces pressure
A senior Reform UK candidate faces fresh criticism over 'unacceptable' comments suggesting non-Christians should eat 'bacon' to prove their sincerity to the religion
www.mirror.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 1:06 PM
These people aren't normal.
Trying to remember a time in 2025 when the printer *wasn't* low on ink & toner...
December 23, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Trying to remember a time in 2025 when the printer *wasn't* low on ink & toner...
Webb: 'How's Trump doing? Let's ask one of his pals'.
Trump pal: 'Biden.....'
Poor, tiresome stuff once again from BBC News #R4Today
Trump pal: 'Biden.....'
Poor, tiresome stuff once again from BBC News #R4Today
Justin Webb and an alt right chum kissing the big wobbly Trump behind on #r4today now - nauseating
December 23, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Webb: 'How's Trump doing? Let's ask one of his pals'.
Trump pal: 'Biden.....'
Poor, tiresome stuff once again from BBC News #R4Today
Trump pal: 'Biden.....'
Poor, tiresome stuff once again from BBC News #R4Today
Truth.
You may think public libraries have some calculated, objective system for what they acquire...
No.
If your library has a decent manga section, it's only because of 1 to 2 people who 'know' manga, and their boss asks them what to get. Some rando can radically change the vibe of a library collection
No.
If your library has a decent manga section, it's only because of 1 to 2 people who 'know' manga, and their boss asks them what to get. Some rando can radically change the vibe of a library collection
December 22, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Truth.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Half Ma’am Half Brisket
December 21, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Half Ma’am Half Brisket
Bless the brands, organisations and labels who, once you have unsubscribed, implore you to 'Go Back To Website'...
December 21, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Bless the brands, organisations and labels who, once you have unsubscribed, implore you to 'Go Back To Website'...
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
The Haunted Library of Delgatie Castle
Off we go to Delgatie Castle in Aberdeenshire to visit the haunted library. Delgatie Castle History The castle dates from 1050 and has been added to many times over the centuries. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed there for three days after the Battle of Corrichie…
Off we go to Delgatie Castle in Aberdeenshire to visit the haunted library. Delgatie Castle History The castle dates from 1050 and has been added to many times over the centuries. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed there for three days after the Battle of Corrichie…
The Haunted Library of Delgatie Castle
Off we go to Delgatie Castle in Aberdeenshire to visit the haunted library. Delgatie Castle History The castle dates from 1050 and has been added to many times over the centuries. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed there for three days after the Battle of Corrichie in 1562. The Hay family bought the castle fifty years ago to save it from ruin. The castle and estate are now run by a charitable trust. Past the canons we go... We walk between unicorns and through the door. Up the stairs... The castle is beautifully decorated for Christmas.
ailishsinclair.com
December 21, 2025 at 11:11 AM
The Haunted Library of Delgatie Castle
Off we go to Delgatie Castle in Aberdeenshire to visit the haunted library. Delgatie Castle History The castle dates from 1050 and has been added to many times over the centuries. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed there for three days after the Battle of Corrichie…
Off we go to Delgatie Castle in Aberdeenshire to visit the haunted library. Delgatie Castle History The castle dates from 1050 and has been added to many times over the centuries. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed there for three days after the Battle of Corrichie…
Enjoyment.
It's a sad day when patriotic hero Tommy Robinson can't visit a Muslim country and get his arse handed to him and publicly shit himself.
December 21, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Enjoyment.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Brilliant cartoon by Glen Le Lievre
December 19, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Brilliant cartoon by Glen Le Lievre
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
What sits behind ALL this is the inescapable fact that a huge chunk of the lobby has been out to get this gov't from Day 1, not because of anything it did (this is no defence of a gov't that is doing lots wrong and deserves criticism), but because ONLY THEIR CHAPS have a right to be in office. Ever.
December 20, 2025 at 1:59 PM
What sits behind ALL this is the inescapable fact that a huge chunk of the lobby has been out to get this gov't from Day 1, not because of anything it did (this is no defence of a gov't that is doing lots wrong and deserves criticism), but because ONLY THEIR CHAPS have a right to be in office. Ever.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
A post about children's books that's NOT about David Walliams: I've just made my annual donation to the @booktrust.org.uk Christmas appeal, to help give books as gifts to kids in care and whose families need to use food banks. If you can help spread the #MagicOfBooks, please do - they're brilliant.
December 19, 2025 at 6:13 PM
A post about children's books that's NOT about David Walliams: I've just made my annual donation to the @booktrust.org.uk Christmas appeal, to help give books as gifts to kids in care and whose families need to use food banks. If you can help spread the #MagicOfBooks, please do - they're brilliant.
Aside from the creepy circumstances of being such a risk to women that you are assigned two people in meetings at all times, there is something distant & dispassionate about Walliams' photos with these books - almost like he is holding up another author's work, which I'm sure we will discover, he is
December 20, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Aside from the creepy circumstances of being such a risk to women that you are assigned two people in meetings at all times, there is something distant & dispassionate about Walliams' photos with these books - almost like he is holding up another author's work, which I'm sure we will discover, he is
Jeffrey Epstein & David Walliams leading all the bulletins but Kemi Badenoch knows that only men from ‘different cultures’ pose a threat to women.
December 20, 2025 at 9:59 AM