Scott Walter
@slwalter123.bsky.social
Librarian | Teacher | Speaker - San Diego State University Fighting against book bans and for public schools & libraries. Loves cats & dogs (since you asked)
“It was hard. People tried their best. It was unprecedented. Those trying to deliver the teaching were also living through it.”
The news about students seeking compensation from universities for COVID teaching has made me quite sad.
I can't say what happened at those universities, or what those student's experience was. My present university did not appear to be in the list.
But what I can say is...
I can't say what happened at those universities, or what those student's experience was. My present university did not appear to be in the list.
But what I can say is...
February 17, 2026 at 12:53 PM
“It was hard. People tried their best. It was unprecedented. Those trying to deliver the teaching were also living through it.”
Reposted by Scott Walter
Public comment on Dr Oz's proposed rules to ban gender-affirming care for youth closes 2/17
One rule bans hospital-based care, the other eliminates Medicaid/CHIP coverage
Together they'd make care virtually unavailable nationwide, including in shield law states
www.patreon.com/posts/149210...
One rule bans hospital-based care, the other eliminates Medicaid/CHIP coverage
Together they'd make care virtually unavailable nationwide, including in shield law states
www.patreon.com/posts/149210...
February 15, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Public comment on Dr Oz's proposed rules to ban gender-affirming care for youth closes 2/17
One rule bans hospital-based care, the other eliminates Medicaid/CHIP coverage
Together they'd make care virtually unavailable nationwide, including in shield law states
www.patreon.com/posts/149210...
One rule bans hospital-based care, the other eliminates Medicaid/CHIP coverage
Together they'd make care virtually unavailable nationwide, including in shield law states
www.patreon.com/posts/149210...
I showed Wiseman's "High School" almost every semester I taught Social Foundations of Education back in the day; perhaps time to watch "Ex Libris"
Frederick Wiseman, a director whose rigorously objective explorations of social and cultural institutions constitute one of the more revered bodies of work in American documentary filmmaking, died on Monday. He was 96. nyti.ms/4qGpq55
Frederick Wiseman, 96, Penetrating Documentarian of Institutions, Dies
He exposed abuses in films like “Titicut Follies,” a once-banned portrait of a mental hospital, but ranged widely in subject matter, from a Queens neighborhood to a French restaurant.
nyti.ms
February 16, 2026 at 9:35 PM
I showed Wiseman's "High School" almost every semester I taught Social Foundations of Education back in the day; perhaps time to watch "Ex Libris"
Reading comics is reading @libcomix.bsky.social www.gocomics.com/pearlsbefore...
Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for February 15, 2026 | GoComics
Read Pearls Before Swine—a comic strip by creator Stephan Pastis—for today, February 15, 2026, and check out other great comics, too!
www.gocomics.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Reading comics is reading @libcomix.bsky.social www.gocomics.com/pearlsbefore...
Reposted by Scott Walter
Of course, it’s only a coincidence that they also want to require passports for voting.
buff.ly/RbIN6i0
buff.ly/RbIN6i0
State Department orders nonprofit libraries to stop processing passport applications
The State Department has ordered nonprofit public libraries to stop taking passport applications, cutting off a popular local service.
buff.ly
February 15, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Of course, it’s only a coincidence that they also want to require passports for voting.
buff.ly/RbIN6i0
buff.ly/RbIN6i0
These are wonderful and, yes, I clicked right through and bought a few of her prints @kcur.org www.kcur.org/arts-life/20...
Kansas City illustrator turns library checkout cards into tiny works of art. She only gets 'one shot'
Heidi Pitre’s series merges literature, nostalgia, and history, featuring pen-and-ink drawings on about 160 vintage library checkout cards. Interest in the pieces has expanded, but her supply of old-s...
www.kcur.org
February 14, 2026 at 7:04 PM
These are wonderful and, yes, I clicked right through and bought a few of her prints @kcur.org www.kcur.org/arts-life/20...
The Scholastic Book Fair, the bookstores in the mall, the Hallmark card shop, Gordon’s Smoke Shop … all places with mass market paperback aisles that I lived in from grade school to college @smithsonianmag.bsky.social www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/h...
Have We Reached the Final Days of the Mass-Market Paperback?
One of the largest paperback distributors has decided to stop supporting the format, which has been making reading accessible to the masses since the 1930s
www.smithsonianmag.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:46 PM
The Scholastic Book Fair, the bookstores in the mall, the Hallmark card shop, Gordon’s Smoke Shop … all places with mass market paperback aisles that I lived in from grade school to college @smithsonianmag.bsky.social www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/h...
Looking forward to collaborating with our campus colleagues on another Pride Research Symposium @sdsulibrary.bsky.social
February 10, 2026 at 12:46 AM
Looking forward to collaborating with our campus colleagues on another Pride Research Symposium @sdsulibrary.bsky.social
Reposted by Scott Walter
Hey Georgia! Get on the horn to your state reps about this!
Book ban versus parent control, lawmakers debate purpose of bill that could send librarians to jail |
by Ty Tagami | Feb 6, 2026 | Capitol Beat News Service
capitol-beat.org
February 9, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Hey Georgia! Get on the horn to your state reps about this!
It’s a big day for public programming at @sdsulibrary.bsky.social next Thursday! Hope to see you there!
February 5, 2026 at 10:58 PM
It’s a big day for public programming at @sdsulibrary.bsky.social next Thursday! Hope to see you there!
Accurate name for a crazy job where you will “Be managing up to 8 primary school libraries in Tower Hamlets on a part-time basis”
February 5, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Accurate name for a crazy job where you will “Be managing up to 8 primary school libraries in Tower Hamlets on a part-time basis”
"I urge our leaders to recognize the San Diego Public Library as the cornerstone of public services it truly is." @sdpubliclibrary.bsky.social @sandiegouniontribune.com www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/02/03/o...
Opinion: San Diego needs all city libraries to be open seven days a week
Being open every day of the week ensures that libraries remain important community spaces.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:17 PM
"I urge our leaders to recognize the San Diego Public Library as the cornerstone of public services it truly is." @sdpubliclibrary.bsky.social @sandiegouniontribune.com www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/02/03/o...
More great work on podcasting from the digital humanities team at @sdsulibrary.bsky.social and campus colleagues library.sdsu.edu/news/2026/co...
Digital Humanities Center and College of Education Team Up for Podcasting | University Library | SDSU
A new video about a College of Education class exploring podcasting
library.sdsu.edu
February 3, 2026 at 9:47 PM
More great work on podcasting from the digital humanities team at @sdsulibrary.bsky.social and campus colleagues library.sdsu.edu/news/2026/co...
Reposted by Scott Walter
Folks:
This is important.
SHEAR—the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (a GREAT organization)—is tracking examples of the regime erasing history.
More at the link below.
This is important.
SHEAR—the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (a GREAT organization)—is tracking examples of the regime erasing history.
More at the link below.
Please circulate and share this important resource: thepanorama.shear.org/2025/04/09/t...
The Early Republic Tracker
The Early Republic Tracker documents instances where the federal government is removing facts and stories essential to the public’s understanding American history from public historical sites, muse…
thepanorama.shear.org
February 2, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Folks:
This is important.
SHEAR—the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (a GREAT organization)—is tracking examples of the regime erasing history.
More at the link below.
This is important.
SHEAR—the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (a GREAT organization)—is tracking examples of the regime erasing history.
More at the link below.
“The reasons sociology is under threat may be due to the distinctive contributions it makes to higher education and more broadly, to society” @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/03/o...
Wendy Nelson Espeland: Sociology is taking it on the chin. Here’s how we can preserve this critical field of study
Many parents have asked the timeless question: “What do you do with a degree in sociology?”
www.chicagotribune.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:30 PM
“The reasons sociology is under threat may be due to the distinctive contributions it makes to higher education and more broadly, to society” @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/03/o...
Reposted by Scott Walter
beating my drum again:
It bears repeating, at a moment when we are all too aware of the powerlessness of young people, that the mission of public libraries to treat *everyone* as a patron, regardless of age—to grant children civic standing through the library card—exemplifies *real* democracy. 📚
It bears repeating, at a moment when we are all too aware of the powerlessness of young people, that the mission of public libraries to treat *everyone* as a patron, regardless of age—to grant children civic standing through the library card—exemplifies *real* democracy. 📚
February 1, 2026 at 5:31 PM
beating my drum again:
It bears repeating, at a moment when we are all too aware of the powerlessness of young people, that the mission of public libraries to treat *everyone* as a patron, regardless of age—to grant children civic standing through the library card—exemplifies *real* democracy. 📚
It bears repeating, at a moment when we are all too aware of the powerlessness of young people, that the mission of public libraries to treat *everyone* as a patron, regardless of age—to grant children civic standing through the library card—exemplifies *real* democracy. 📚
Reposted by Scott Walter
Anyway, good morning from this evergreen quote from a guy we teach the kids is a great American hero
April 30, 2024 at 11:41 AM
Anyway, good morning from this evergreen quote from a guy we teach the kids is a great American hero
Texas higher education continues its race to the bottom @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
Texas A&M Ends Women’s Studies and Overhauls Classes Over Race and Gender
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Texas higher education continues its race to the bottom @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
Like many kids growing up in Chicago, my daughter made regular trips to the Museum to learn about the history of one of the world’s great cities. The gutting of its library services has been a tragedy @chicago.suntimes.com chicago.suntimes.com/museums-zoos...
Community members warn that Chicago History Museum cuts could impact scholarship of city history
Following the departure of CEO Donald Lassere, community members are calling for leadership to rebuild trust with staff and reverse cuts at the Abakanowicz Research Center.
chicago.suntimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Like many kids growing up in Chicago, my daughter made regular trips to the Museum to learn about the history of one of the world’s great cities. The gutting of its library services has been a tragedy @chicago.suntimes.com chicago.suntimes.com/museums-zoos...
My reading log for January was made up, primarily, of One Piece (I’m finally reading it), @scalzi.com, and popular and scholarly studies of Jack Kirby (and one of the pieces included in the current exhibit at the Skirball in Los Angeles)
January 31, 2026 at 2:12 PM
My reading log for January was made up, primarily, of One Piece (I’m finally reading it), @scalzi.com, and popular and scholarly studies of Jack Kirby (and one of the pieces included in the current exhibit at the Skirball in Los Angeles)
Picked up a vintage item on eBay, you know, for when we need it again
January 31, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Picked up a vintage item on eBay, you know, for when we need it again
Reposted by Scott Walter
"Librarians are librarians because they want to provide their community with a place to learn, to explore, to grow. Librarians want to provide more to their community, not ban books or make it difficult for people to access materials, as this provision would force librarians to do."
Jim Obergefell–the name you know from the SCOTUS case on LGBTQ+ marriage–has penned a hell of an editorial about the political battle over LGBTQ+ books in Ohio libraries.
www.cleveland.com/opinion/2026...
www.cleveland.com/opinion/2026...
Hiding our history is wrong — and un-American: Jim Obergefell
Requiring libraries to put “material related to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression” out of sight of anyone under the age of 18 ignores the reality of human diversity. If the Ohio legi...
www.cleveland.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:06 PM
"Librarians are librarians because they want to provide their community with a place to learn, to explore, to grow. Librarians want to provide more to their community, not ban books or make it difficult for people to access materials, as this provision would force librarians to do."
In Florida and coming soon to … (Texas, Ohio, Missouri, Oklahoma?), a sociology textbook that only makes “cursory mentions of important sociological concepts regarding race, gender, sexuality and other topics that have drawn Republican ire” @insidehighered.com www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
Florida Introduces “Sanitized” Sociology Textbook
The volume was created after a state review found that existing course materials violated a law prohibiting general education courses from teaching about systemic inequality. So far, at least two univ...
www.insidehighered.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:38 PM
In Florida and coming soon to … (Texas, Ohio, Missouri, Oklahoma?), a sociology textbook that only makes “cursory mentions of important sociological concepts regarding race, gender, sexuality and other topics that have drawn Republican ire” @insidehighered.com www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
Reposted by Scott Walter
“We are a Minneapolis 2nd grade Brownie Troop of 12 including trans and neurodiverse youth and 75% BIPOC kids. We want to go to summer camp and try horseback riding! During the current ICE occupation we need your support more than ever...”
And that’s how I ordered 4 boxes of thin mints.
And that’s how I ordered 4 boxes of thin mints.
A friend shared with me a girl scout cookie link from a group that's having a hard time selling in Minneapolis right now.
digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/troop5...
digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/troop5...
Order your Faves on my Digital Cookie Site Today
That's right! You can order your favorite Girl Scout Cookies from me online, all while helping my troop and I do great things in our community and beyond! Check it out.
digitalcookie.girlscouts.org
January 29, 2026 at 3:00 AM
“We are a Minneapolis 2nd grade Brownie Troop of 12 including trans and neurodiverse youth and 75% BIPOC kids. We want to go to summer camp and try horseback riding! During the current ICE occupation we need your support more than ever...”
And that’s how I ordered 4 boxes of thin mints.
And that’s how I ordered 4 boxes of thin mints.