Sam Helmick
@samhelmick.bsky.social
5k-er. American Library Association President. Author. Baker. Christian. #FreePeopleReadFreely. LEGO lover. #Library Worker. Policy Wonk. #ThoughtBunny Wrangler. 🐇
Thank you, @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social Executive Director, Dan Montgomery, for addressing the Iowa City Public Library staff during our InService Day.
Thank you for the inspiring conversation & reminder that we serve communities well by providing access to opportunity, literacy, and learning. 📚 💜
Thank you for the inspiring conversation & reminder that we serve communities well by providing access to opportunity, literacy, and learning. 📚 💜
December 12, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Thank you, @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social Executive Director, Dan Montgomery, for addressing the Iowa City Public Library staff during our InService Day.
Thank you for the inspiring conversation & reminder that we serve communities well by providing access to opportunity, literacy, and learning. 📚 💜
Thank you for the inspiring conversation & reminder that we serve communities well by providing access to opportunity, literacy, and learning. 📚 💜
Reposted by Sam Helmick
Our guest this week was American Library Association (@amlibraryassoc.bsky.social) President Sam Helmick (@samhelmick.bsky.social).
They work so very hard for libraries and librarians!
They work so very hard for libraries and librarians!
Our guest this week on Book Flood Podcast is ALA (@amlibraryassoc.bsky.social) President @samhelmick.bsky.social.
We discuss ALA, book banning, advocacy, and more!
bookfloodpodcast.com
We discuss ALA, book banning, advocacy, and more!
bookfloodpodcast.com
Tom Nixon: Book Flood Podcast
Book Flood Podcast celebrates authors, illustrators, librarians, and books. The host of the Book Flood Podcast is Tom Nixon, former library services manager for a large California school district.
BookFloodPodcast.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Our guest this week was American Library Association (@amlibraryassoc.bsky.social) President Sam Helmick (@samhelmick.bsky.social).
They work so very hard for libraries and librarians!
They work so very hard for libraries and librarians!
Reposted by Sam Helmick
Our guest this week on Book Flood Podcast is ALA (@amlibraryassoc.bsky.social) President @samhelmick.bsky.social.
We discuss ALA, book banning, advocacy, and more!
bookfloodpodcast.com
We discuss ALA, book banning, advocacy, and more!
bookfloodpodcast.com
Tom Nixon: Book Flood Podcast
Book Flood Podcast celebrates authors, illustrators, librarians, and books. The host of the Book Flood Podcast is Tom Nixon, former library services manager for a large California school district.
BookFloodPodcast.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Our guest this week on Book Flood Podcast is ALA (@amlibraryassoc.bsky.social) President @samhelmick.bsky.social.
We discuss ALA, book banning, advocacy, and more!
bookfloodpodcast.com
We discuss ALA, book banning, advocacy, and more!
bookfloodpodcast.com
Excited to connect with information science & library students (who can attend for free) and the rest of my colleagues at this learning and networking event!
It’s quite wonderful to belong to such a diverse and incredible community of practice and mutual support!!
#LibraryLife #AlwaysLearning
It’s quite wonderful to belong to such a diverse and incredible community of practice and mutual support!!
#LibraryLife #AlwaysLearning
#ALAVirtual26 Registration is Open! Join Recharging in Challenging Times: An ALA Virtual Event for a day of reflection, practical insights, and meaningful connection. Access on-demand content—and ALA Student Members attend for FREE! Secure your spot now!
www.ala.org/virtual-event
www.ala.org/virtual-event
November 28, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Excited to connect with information science & library students (who can attend for free) and the rest of my colleagues at this learning and networking event!
It’s quite wonderful to belong to such a diverse and incredible community of practice and mutual support!!
#LibraryLife #AlwaysLearning
It’s quite wonderful to belong to such a diverse and incredible community of practice and mutual support!!
#LibraryLife #AlwaysLearning
Headed home from the @ncacensorship.bsky.social gala feeling inspired and resilient as well as encouraged by how many folks are engaged in ensuring #FreePeopleReadFreely.
#hopeful #LibraryLife #travel
#hopeful #LibraryLife #travel
November 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Headed home from the @ncacensorship.bsky.social gala feeling inspired and resilient as well as encouraged by how many folks are engaged in ensuring #FreePeopleReadFreely.
#hopeful #LibraryLife #travel
#hopeful #LibraryLife #travel
Reposted by Sam Helmick
ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social highlights how ALA chapters are "our first indicators of new trends, the tightening pressure on legislative challenges, and the steady rhythm of community needs." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/the-pulse-of-our-profession/
The Pulse of Our Profession | American Libraries Magazine
ALA chapters are our first indicators of new trends, tightening pressure on legislative challenges, and the steady rhythm of community needs.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:15 PM
ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social highlights how ALA chapters are "our first indicators of new trends, the tightening pressure on legislative challenges, and the steady rhythm of community needs." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/the-pulse-of-our-profession/
Reposted by Sam Helmick
@samhelmick.bsky.social is the real deal! Join this call and you will be inspired, enlightened, and delighted!
Join Interfaith Alliance and @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social's @uabookbans.bsky.social to learn why book bans threaten religious freedom and how faith communities and library workers can come together to advocate for the right to read.
🗓️: Nov. 5 @ 4pm ET
support.interfaithalliance.org/a/how-faith-...
🗓️: Nov. 5 @ 4pm ET
support.interfaithalliance.org/a/how-faith-...
October 31, 2025 at 5:13 PM
@samhelmick.bsky.social is the real deal! Join this call and you will be inspired, enlightened, and delighted!
Enjoyed the moon and some Minnie Riperton this morning as I walked and gathered some thought bunnies.
#SundayMorning
#SundayMorning
October 19, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Enjoyed the moon and some Minnie Riperton this morning as I walked and gathered some thought bunnies.
#SundayMorning
#SundayMorning
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
Soliciting petitions and prayers for smooth and safe travels!! ☕️ 📚
Let’s do some good!
#Freadom
October 5, 2025 at 3:50 PM
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
Soliciting petitions and prayers for smooth and safe travels!! ☕️ 📚
Let’s do some good!
#Freadom
Reposted by Sam Helmick
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.
October 1, 2025 at 5:41 PM
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.
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
Not enough time for coffee but got some emails out. ☕️ 💻
Soliciting good thoughts, petitions, and prayers for travel mercies please. 💜 ✈️
#AlwaysLearning
#Grateful #Blessed
September 22, 2025 at 5:54 PM
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
Not enough time for coffee but got some emails out. ☕️ 💻
Soliciting good thoughts, petitions, and prayers for travel mercies please. 💜 ✈️
#AlwaysLearning
#Grateful #Blessed
Passing a cozy afternoon in a comfy sweater, with a cup of coffee, and a stack of comics. #HappyMaking #AmReading
September 21, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Passing a cozy afternoon in a comfy sweater, with a cup of coffee, and a stack of comics. #HappyMaking #AmReading
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
religionnews.com/2025/09/13/l...
#ShowUpForOurLibraries
September 14, 2025 at 2:42 PM
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
religionnews.com/2025/09/13/l...
#ShowUpForOurLibraries
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.
🖼️ 🐿️ 🎨 📚
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.
🖼️ 🐿️ 🎨 📚
September 10, 2025 at 11:50 PM
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.
🖼️ 🐿️ 🎨 📚
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.
🖼️ 🐿️ 🎨 📚
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
#ReadersAreLeaders
September 6, 2025 at 12:38 PM
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
#ReadersAreLeaders
"When we treat libraries as communities rather than commodities, we serve with love and respect, ensuring they remain strong, welcoming, and sustainable for all."
"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
September 5, 2025 at 12:51 PM
"When we treat libraries as communities rather than commodities, we serve with love and respect, ensuring they remain strong, welcoming, and sustainable for all."
Reposted by Sam Helmick
Libraries belong at #SXSW.
Voting is open through August 24. Cast your vote for these library-themed panels today.
📚💙
Voting is open through August 24. Cast your vote for these library-themed panels today.
📚💙
Oh! We have lots of lovely library panels to pick for SXSW this year!
participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...
Time to #RockTheVote! 🗳️
participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...
Time to #RockTheVote! 🗳️
August 20, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Libraries belong at #SXSW.
Voting is open through August 24. Cast your vote for these library-themed panels today.
📚💙
Voting is open through August 24. Cast your vote for these library-themed panels today.
📚💙
Catching up on some Harvard Business Review before my #SaturdayLibrarian shift.
☕️ 📚
#alwayslearning
#saturdaymorning
☕️ 📚
#alwayslearning
#saturdaymorning
August 9, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Catching up on some Harvard Business Review before my #SaturdayLibrarian shift.
☕️ 📚
#alwayslearning
#saturdaymorning
☕️ 📚
#alwayslearning
#saturdaymorning
Oh! We have lots of lovely library panels to pick for SXSW this year!
participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...
Time to #RockTheVote! 🗳️
participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...
Time to #RockTheVote! 🗳️
August 5, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Oh! We have lots of lovely library panels to pick for SXSW this year!
participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...
Time to #RockTheVote! 🗳️
participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...
Time to #RockTheVote! 🗳️
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
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
July 25, 2025 at 8:08 PM
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
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
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.
July 25, 2025 at 9:06 AM
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.
Watch party!!!!!
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/
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/
July 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Watch party!!!!!
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.
There are so many wonderful people in the world —many giving their time and talents to libraries and the communities served by them.
July 24, 2025 at 12:34 AM
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.
There are so many wonderful people in the world —many giving their time and talents to libraries and the communities served by them.
Reposted by Sam Helmick
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
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
July 16, 2025 at 8:07 PM
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
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