Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
@aaronb-lib.bsky.social
Librarian, Consultant, Teacher, Trainer, Grant Writer, Advocate, Lifelong Learner
Happy to share that a proposal I submitted,"Unlocking Access: ADA, Accessibility, and Assistive Technologies in Carceral Libraries," was accepted for both the 15th National Conference on Higher Education in Prison AND the @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social 2026 annual conference!
#NCHEP15 #ALAAC26
#NCHEP15 #ALAAC26
December 23, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Happy to share that a proposal I submitted,"Unlocking Access: ADA, Accessibility, and Assistive Technologies in Carceral Libraries," was accepted for both the 15th National Conference on Higher Education in Prison AND the @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social 2026 annual conference!
#NCHEP15 #ALAAC26
#NCHEP15 #ALAAC26
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
From the New York Times: IMLS has reinstated all federal grants to libraries following a federal court ruling. More: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/a...
But we can't stop making noise for libraries. Tell Congress to #FundLibraries in FY26: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...
But we can't stop making noise for libraries. Tell Congress to #FundLibraries in FY26: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...
Library Agency Reinstates Grants Canceled by Trump Administration
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM
From the New York Times: IMLS has reinstated all federal grants to libraries following a federal court ruling. More: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/a...
But we can't stop making noise for libraries. Tell Congress to #FundLibraries in FY26: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...
But we can't stop making noise for libraries. Tell Congress to #FundLibraries in FY26: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
ALA is disappointed and concerned with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow a lower court ruling in Little v. Llano County stand. This decision will significantly restrict the freedom to read in public libraries across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Our statement: https://bit.ly/48HOSAl
Our statement: https://bit.ly/48HOSAl
December 9, 2025 at 8:57 PM
ALA is disappointed and concerned with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow a lower court ruling in Little v. Llano County stand. This decision will significantly restrict the freedom to read in public libraries across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Our statement: https://bit.ly/48HOSAl
Our statement: https://bit.ly/48HOSAl
The next episode of the @libraryjournal.bsky.social
sponsored podcast, "Libraries Lead!," with @rdlankes.bsky.social, @mbeisenberg.bsky.social, and Beth Patin is out! A thoughtful discussion of the May 2025 court decision, labeling library collections as government speech, and the dangers of AI.
sponsored podcast, "Libraries Lead!," with @rdlankes.bsky.social, @mbeisenberg.bsky.social, and Beth Patin is out! A thoughtful discussion of the May 2025 court decision, labeling library collections as government speech, and the dangers of AI.
Episode 45 (December 2025): What’s a Library—And Who’s in Charge?
The US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled (May 2025) that library collection decisions are not protected by the First Amendment, they are “government speech” and therefore under the control of publi...
librarieslead.libraryjournal.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:43 AM
The next episode of the @libraryjournal.bsky.social
sponsored podcast, "Libraries Lead!," with @rdlankes.bsky.social, @mbeisenberg.bsky.social, and Beth Patin is out! A thoughtful discussion of the May 2025 court decision, labeling library collections as government speech, and the dangers of AI.
sponsored podcast, "Libraries Lead!," with @rdlankes.bsky.social, @mbeisenberg.bsky.social, and Beth Patin is out! A thoughtful discussion of the May 2025 court decision, labeling library collections as government speech, and the dangers of AI.
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
December 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
NEWS: Libraries WIN in federal court!
A judge in RI issued a permanent injunction stopping the Administration from dismantling the Institute of Museum & Library Services and nullifying all actions taken to do so.
Read the ruling: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... (More to come from ALA)
A judge in RI issued a permanent injunction stopping the Administration from dismantling the Institute of Museum & Library Services and nullifying all actions taken to do so.
Read the ruling: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... (More to come from ALA)
November 21, 2025 at 8:08 PM
NEWS: Libraries WIN in federal court!
A judge in RI issued a permanent injunction stopping the Administration from dismantling the Institute of Museum & Library Services and nullifying all actions taken to do so.
Read the ruling: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... (More to come from ALA)
A judge in RI issued a permanent injunction stopping the Administration from dismantling the Institute of Museum & Library Services and nullifying all actions taken to do so.
Read the ruling: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... (More to come from ALA)
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
The FCC's recent removal of #ERate discounts for library & school hotspot lending is a step backwards. ALA President Sam Helmick: "Having digital connection is going to allow us to not only thrive civically but economically, educationally, & socially." More: federalnewsnetwork.com/management/2...
When the hotspots go dark, who connects the unconnected?
"We're really thinking about the broad spectrum of American life and how the lack of connectivity infrastructurally has been devastating," Sam Helmick said.
federalnewsnetwork.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The FCC's recent removal of #ERate discounts for library & school hotspot lending is a step backwards. ALA President Sam Helmick: "Having digital connection is going to allow us to not only thrive civically but economically, educationally, & socially." More: federalnewsnetwork.com/management/2...
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
Sounds like a distraction from the day’s news to me—but serious nonetheless www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/u...
Trump Administration Announces Steps to Dismantle Education Department
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Sounds like a distraction from the day’s news to me—but serious nonetheless www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/u...
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
The People Want to Read: on the massive budget cuts proposed for Chicago Public Library. What's at stake and what you can do, whether or not you live in Chicago.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
The People Want To Read: On Massive Budget Cuts Proposed in Chicago
If passed, Chicago Public Library will lose half their budget for acquiring new books and materials.
buttondown.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:03 PM
The People Want to Read: on the massive budget cuts proposed for Chicago Public Library. What's at stake and what you can do, whether or not you live in Chicago.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
Another great episode of the @libraryjournal.bsky.social sponsored podcast, "Libraries Lead!," with @rdlankes.bsky.social, @mbeisenberg.bsky.social, and Beth Patin! Yes, libraries should and do support their communities, but the relationship must be symbiotic! Give this and other episodes a listen!
Episode 44 (November 2025): It’s Mutual! Communities Supporting Libraries and Libraries Supporting Communities
In this live podcast episode at the Library Journal 2025 Directors’ Summit we focus on the relationship between libraries and the communities they serve, especially during troubling times. Beth leads ...
librarieslead.libraryjournal.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Another great episode of the @libraryjournal.bsky.social sponsored podcast, "Libraries Lead!," with @rdlankes.bsky.social, @mbeisenberg.bsky.social, and Beth Patin! Yes, libraries should and do support their communities, but the relationship must be symbiotic! Give this and other episodes a listen!
Waste knows no bounds. The amount of resources to be wasted (materials, time, money) to fulfill this ridiculous requirement, instead of using these resources to provide schools staff, and students with what they really need, is insane!
A new memo came out for materials that have “Gulf of Mexico” written somewhere inside the book.
Fictional materials are exempt.
Non-fiction will require a sticker.
info.fldoe.org/docushare/ds...
Fictional materials are exempt.
Non-fiction will require a sticker.
info.fldoe.org/docushare/ds...
October 31, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Waste knows no bounds. The amount of resources to be wasted (materials, time, money) to fulfill this ridiculous requirement, instead of using these resources to provide schools staff, and students with what they really need, is insane!
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
Three high schoolers founded a book club that reads some of the country's most frequently banned books after a state law removing books with sexual content was signed in 2023. Two years later, many of the books have been reshelved and parts of the law can't be enforced.
When books were being pulled from Iowa classrooms, these teens started an after-school club to read them
Three Iowa City West high schoolers founded a book club that reads some of the country's most frequently banned books after a state law removing books with sexual content was signed in 2023. Two years later, many of the books have been reshelved and parts of the law can't be enforced.
n.pr
October 20, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Three high schoolers founded a book club that reads some of the country's most frequently banned books after a state law removing books with sexual content was signed in 2023. Two years later, many of the books have been reshelved and parts of the law can't be enforced.
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
It's October 2025 and the federal government is shut down.
So what's currently going on at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)? Well, a lot of money seems to be "missing," among other things.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
So what's currently going on at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)? Well, a lot of money seems to be "missing," among other things.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
The Current State of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (October 2025 Edition)
Grant money that should be going to library projects is going to state-sponsored propaganda, among other IMLS updates.
buttondown.com
October 11, 2025 at 12:40 PM
It's October 2025 and the federal government is shut down.
So what's currently going on at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)? Well, a lot of money seems to be "missing," among other things.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
So what's currently going on at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)? Well, a lot of money seems to be "missing," among other things.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
How to be an educated, informed, and pro-library voter in the upcoming election cycle: bookriot.com/library-elec...
Be an Informed Pro-Library, Pro-Literary Voter Now: Book Censorship News, October 10, 2025
Elections in several states will be coming up throughout the months of October and November. Here's how to be a pro-library voter.
bookriot.com
October 11, 2025 at 1:57 PM
How to be an educated, informed, and pro-library voter in the upcoming election cycle: bookriot.com/library-elec...
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
We were at the American Library Association Conference this summer talking with librarians about the importance of everyone having access to books that represent all kinds of different backgrounds and experiences.
Thank you to every librarian working to defend our right to read.
Thank you to every librarian working to defend our right to read.
October 7, 2025 at 4:42 PM
We were at the American Library Association Conference this summer talking with librarians about the importance of everyone having access to books that represent all kinds of different backgrounds and experiences.
Thank you to every librarian working to defend our right to read.
Thank you to every librarian working to defend our right to read.
This month's episode of the @libraryjournal.bsky.social sponsored Libraries Leads podcast with hosts Beth Patin, @rdlankes.bsky.social, and @mbeisenberg.bsky.social delves into "the pathways into librarianship and the broader information professions," highlighting ongoing debates in the info field.
Episode 43 (October 2025): You Need a Master’s Degree to be a Librarian?
In this episode, we dive into a topic that’s near and dear to us: the pathways into librarianship and the broader information professions—the credentials, the professional development, and, honestly, ...
librarieslead.libraryjournal.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:51 PM
This month's episode of the @libraryjournal.bsky.social sponsored Libraries Leads podcast with hosts Beth Patin, @rdlankes.bsky.social, and @mbeisenberg.bsky.social delves into "the pathways into librarianship and the broader information professions," highlighting ongoing debates in the info field.
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
Censorship is un-American.
Way to go, Kim! @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/10/02/e...
Way to go, Kim! @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/10/02/e...
Director of ‘The Librarians": Censorship is ‘un-American’ | CNN
Kim Snyder joins The Lead
www.cnn.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Censorship is un-American.
Way to go, Kim! @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/10/02/e...
Way to go, Kim! @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/10/02/e...
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
$14 million dollars allocated to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) was pushed through to the America 250 team to fund "Freedom Trucks"–propaganda telling a whitewashed version of history.
What's happening at IMLS is beyond budgetary concerns.
bookriot.com/imls-freedom...
What's happening at IMLS is beyond budgetary concerns.
bookriot.com/imls-freedom...
The IMLS's Freedom Trucks Project Is Propaganda in Support of Historical Erasure: Book Censorship News, September 12, 2025
This week, the IMLS announced their Freedom Trucks initiative. It is blatant propaganda.
bookriot.com
September 27, 2025 at 12:07 PM
$14 million dollars allocated to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) was pushed through to the America 250 team to fund "Freedom Trucks"–propaganda telling a whitewashed version of history.
What's happening at IMLS is beyond budgetary concerns.
bookriot.com/imls-freedom...
What's happening at IMLS is beyond budgetary concerns.
bookriot.com/imls-freedom...
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
Congratulations to @dylanflesch.bsky.social, @apricity.black and all of the 450 volunteers who made the new library board database possible. It happened because of your labor, time and commitment. And with no money, lol. Thank you all.
data.librariesforthepeople.org
data.librariesforthepeople.org
For The People
data.librariesforthepeople.org
September 26, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Congratulations to @dylanflesch.bsky.social, @apricity.black and all of the 450 volunteers who made the new library board database possible. It happened because of your labor, time and commitment. And with no money, lol. Thank you all.
data.librariesforthepeople.org
data.librariesforthepeople.org
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
@georgetakei.bsky.social is the 2025 Honorary Chair of #BannedBooksWeek (Oct 5–11), joined by youth advocate Iris Mogul. Together they’ll spotlight the harms of censorship.
https://www.ala.org/news/2025/09/legendary-actorauthoractivist-george-takei-named-honorary-chair-banned-books-week-2025
https://www.ala.org/news/2025/09/legendary-actorauthoractivist-george-takei-named-honorary-chair-banned-books-week-2025
September 22, 2025 at 2:47 PM
@georgetakei.bsky.social is the 2025 Honorary Chair of #BannedBooksWeek (Oct 5–11), joined by youth advocate Iris Mogul. Together they’ll spotlight the harms of censorship.
https://www.ala.org/news/2025/09/legendary-actorauthoractivist-george-takei-named-honorary-chair-banned-books-week-2025
https://www.ala.org/news/2025/09/legendary-actorauthoractivist-george-takei-named-honorary-chair-banned-books-week-2025
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
In our fight for intellectual freedom and the First Amendment rights of all, we cannot forget people experiencing incarceration. A phenomenal guest post from @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social on what's happening in prison censorship right now (& what you can do!): bookriot.com/books-to-pri...
We Can't Forget People Experiencing Incarceration in Our Fight for Readers' Rights: Book Censorship News, September 19, 2025
The state of book bans and censorship in American prisons. Where and how advocates can change this rampant First Amendment violation.
bookriot.com
September 19, 2025 at 12:29 PM
In our fight for intellectual freedom and the First Amendment rights of all, we cannot forget people experiencing incarceration. A phenomenal guest post from @bookstoprisoners.bsky.social on what's happening in prison censorship right now (& what you can do!): bookriot.com/books-to-pri...
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
The Moms for Liberty is now trying to take over our public libraries.
September 9, 2025 at 9:14 PM
The Moms for Liberty is now trying to take over our public libraries.
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
Maybe one of the most ridiculous new products from the anti-library, book ban crowd.
Who is Lori the Librarian, new idol of the book banners? She's a superhero who defaces little free libraries and "takes down" librarians and educators.
But *what* is she? A PragerU-like animation by a couple who have been campaigning against DEI for years.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
But *what* is she? A PragerU-like animation by a couple who have been campaigning against DEI for years.
buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
Who Is Lori the Librarian, The New Idol of The Book Banners?
Book banners have created a new superhero for their campaign. Her powers? Bigotry, cruelty, and vandalism.
buttondown.com
September 6, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Maybe one of the most ridiculous new products from the anti-library, book ban crowd.
Reposted by Aaron Blumberg, MLIS
ALA Pres. Sam Helmick on the FCC Chair's actions to dismantle E-Rate hotspot programs: "All communities need high speed internet – even after the library closes. Withdrawing the opportunity for people to check out wifi hotspots from their library is a step backwards."
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
FCC chair teams up with Ted Cruz to block Wi-Fi hotspots for schoolkids
Ted Cruz’s anti-hotspot bill stalled, but FCC is ending Wi-Fi program on its own.
arstechnica.com
September 4, 2025 at 1:35 PM
ALA Pres. Sam Helmick on the FCC Chair's actions to dismantle E-Rate hotspot programs: "All communities need high speed internet – even after the library closes. Withdrawing the opportunity for people to check out wifi hotspots from their library is a step backwards."
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...