Sam Aston she/her
@manclibrarian.bsky.social
Lecturer in ed tech learning in Public Health CeLP SFHEA Mum. Former Librarian/Learning Developer. Programme manager for LILAC conf. Reads, hikes and occasionally knits. Loves Cornwall and the Lakes.
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
“As a mum and a wheelchair user, pavement parking puts me and my children in danger every day. I don’t understand why drivers think they can block pavements — they’re for pedestrians.” - Aideen, campaigner
Join our campaign against pavement parking https://bit.ly/4hWpLxM
Join our campaign against pavement parking https://bit.ly/4hWpLxM
November 18, 2025 at 7:49 AM
“As a mum and a wheelchair user, pavement parking puts me and my children in danger every day. I don’t understand why drivers think they can block pavements — they’re for pedestrians.” - Aideen, campaigner
Join our campaign against pavement parking https://bit.ly/4hWpLxM
Join our campaign against pavement parking https://bit.ly/4hWpLxM
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Booklovers, your favourite game is back! 📚🔎
Guess all 20 books in the #HiddenBooksGame and you could win a £500/€500 National Book Token to spend in your local bookshop (the best gift ever, in our opinion).
Play now: buff.ly/460M0aR
Guess all 20 books in the #HiddenBooksGame and you could win a £500/€500 National Book Token to spend in your local bookshop (the best gift ever, in our opinion).
Play now: buff.ly/460M0aR
November 13, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Booklovers, your favourite game is back! 📚🔎
Guess all 20 books in the #HiddenBooksGame and you could win a £500/€500 National Book Token to spend in your local bookshop (the best gift ever, in our opinion).
Play now: buff.ly/460M0aR
Guess all 20 books in the #HiddenBooksGame and you could win a £500/€500 National Book Token to spend in your local bookshop (the best gift ever, in our opinion).
Play now: buff.ly/460M0aR
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Do you live or work close to #Sheffield & would like to attend a day at #LILAC26? Apply for one of our Local to LILAC day bursaries! Winners will be randomly selected & get a free place + £50 for travel expenses. It’s really easy to apply via our website, the deadline is the 21 November (17:00 GMT).
LILAC
LILAC is an annual conference covering all aspects of information literacy and is a firm favourite in the calendar of information professionals. The conference is brimming with new ideas, innovative…
buff.ly
November 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Do you live or work close to #Sheffield & would like to attend a day at #LILAC26? Apply for one of our Local to LILAC day bursaries! Winners will be randomly selected & get a free place + £50 for travel expenses. It’s really easy to apply via our website, the deadline is the 21 November (17:00 GMT).
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
People who want to make the web accessible need to understand the many different ways that people with disabilities use the web. This W3C resource offers a good introduction to how disabled people navigate the web, and barriers they commonly encounter.
www.w3.org/WAI/people-u...
www.w3.org/WAI/people-u...
How People with Disabilities Use the Web
Introduces how people with disabilities, including people with age-related impairments, use the Web.
www.w3.org
November 11, 2025 at 7:18 PM
People who want to make the web accessible need to understand the many different ways that people with disabilities use the web. This W3C resource offers a good introduction to how disabled people navigate the web, and barriers they commonly encounter.
www.w3.org/WAI/people-u...
www.w3.org/WAI/people-u...
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Many struggle with writing alt text for charts and other other data visualizations. Amy Cesal's "Writing Alt Text for Data Visualization" hammers home the importance of explaining the chart type, the type of data, and the reason for the chart.
medium.com/nightingale/...
medium.com/nightingale/...
Writing Alt Text for Data Visualization
How do you write text that conveys the whole meaning of a visualization? You probably can’t. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try
medium.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Many struggle with writing alt text for charts and other other data visualizations. Amy Cesal's "Writing Alt Text for Data Visualization" hammers home the importance of explaining the chart type, the type of data, and the reason for the chart.
medium.com/nightingale/...
medium.com/nightingale/...
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
You’ve only got a few days to finalise your #LILAC26 proposal! Our Call for Presentations closes on Thursday, 13 November, at 16:00 (GMT). Find out more and submit on our website. #infolit #digilit ⬇️
LILAC
LILAC is an annual conference covering all aspects of information literacy and is a firm favourite in the calendar of information professionals. The conference is brimming with new ideas, innovative…
buff.ly
November 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
"3.5 million people live in homes that fail the UK Decent Homes Standard."
We were joined by housing and health researcher Faye Sanders earlier this year to talk about what's driving unhealthy homes, and what we can do to fix the problem.
Listen now: https://ow.ly/jhS850XpfVy
We were joined by housing and health researcher Faye Sanders earlier this year to talk about what's driving unhealthy homes, and what we can do to fix the problem.
Listen now: https://ow.ly/jhS850XpfVy
RSPH Presents: Spread the Health
Listen to episodes and learn more about RSPH Presents: Spread the Health. From government policies to the air we breathe, the high streets we shop on, the food on our plates, and the places we live and work - our health is shaped by the world around us.Featuring expert guests from a breadth of sectors, fields and industries, Spread the Health explores how our environment influences health in both obvious and unexpected ways. We tackle the big questions about the nation's health and, crucially, examine how to overcome the barriers to building a healthier future for all.Spread the Health...
ow.ly
November 10, 2025 at 2:02 PM
"3.5 million people live in homes that fail the UK Decent Homes Standard."
We were joined by housing and health researcher Faye Sanders earlier this year to talk about what's driving unhealthy homes, and what we can do to fix the problem.
Listen now: https://ow.ly/jhS850XpfVy
We were joined by housing and health researcher Faye Sanders earlier this year to talk about what's driving unhealthy homes, and what we can do to fix the problem.
Listen now: https://ow.ly/jhS850XpfVy
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
If you have a regional accent, please never try to get rid of it. Accents tell stories.
November 7, 2025 at 8:30 PM
If you have a regional accent, please never try to get rid of it. Accents tell stories.
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
ALDinHE's annual conference in 2026 will be hosted by the University of Leeds. Save the dates! Online - 12 June 2026 and In-Person 16 and 17 June 2026. We look forward to welcoming you! https://aldinhe.ac.uk/aldcon26 #ALDcon26. #LoveLD
November 7, 2025 at 4:14 PM
ALDinHE's annual conference in 2026 will be hosted by the University of Leeds. Save the dates! Online - 12 June 2026 and In-Person 16 and 17 June 2026. We look forward to welcoming you! https://aldinhe.ac.uk/aldcon26 #ALDcon26. #LoveLD
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Don’t forget that the @infolitgroup.bsky.social can provide informal feedback on your draft abstract for #LILAC26. If you want to check if your idea is suitable, or you just want someone to look over your draft, email cilipilg@gmail.com before 16:00 (GMT) next Thursday (30 Oct).
October 23, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Don’t forget that the @infolitgroup.bsky.social can provide informal feedback on your draft abstract for #LILAC26. If you want to check if your idea is suitable, or you just want someone to look over your draft, email cilipilg@gmail.com before 16:00 (GMT) next Thursday (30 Oct).
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Applications are open for #LILAC26 bursaries! In addition to LILAC bursaries, which provide a full conference place, you can apply for Local to LILAC day delegate bursaries, aimed at those that live or work close to the University of Sheffield. Find out more & apply on our website.
LILAC
LILAC is an annual conference covering all aspects of information literacy and is a firm favourite in the calendar of information professionals. The conference is brimming with new ideas, innovative…
buff.ly
October 28, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Applications are open for #LILAC26 bursaries! In addition to LILAC bursaries, which provide a full conference place, you can apply for Local to LILAC day delegate bursaries, aimed at those that live or work close to the University of Sheffield. Find out more & apply on our website.
It is a great documentary and on iPlayer.
Screening of #TheLibrarians tonight in Bloomsbury, with discussion afterwards www.cilip.org.uk/events/Event... Hosted by UCL's Department of Information Studies, CILIP School Libraries Group, and Library Services Trust
CILIP: the library and information association
Screening of The Librarians (dir. Kim Snyder, prod. Sarah Jessica Parker), a documentary on the Krause List and its role in fuelling US book bans targeting race and LGBTQIA+ lives. It explores links…
www.cilip.org.uk
October 27, 2025 at 6:19 PM
It is a great documentary and on iPlayer.
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
friend shared this, immediately updated my settings
October 27, 2025 at 4:28 PM
friend shared this, immediately updated my settings
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Our data released today has found that 15 million people in the UK live with damp, mould and cold in their homes. 🔴
No one should have to live in a home that damages their health.
Explore the findings from our survey here. 👉 healthequals.org.uk/data_insight...
No one should have to live in a home that damages their health.
Explore the findings from our survey here. 👉 healthequals.org.uk/data_insight...
New data shows more than 1 in 4 of us live in homes that could harm our health | Health Equals
New data shows more than 1 in 4 of us live in homes that could harm our health, with over 15 million people dealing with damp, mould or cold.
healthequals.org.uk
October 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Our data released today has found that 15 million people in the UK live with damp, mould and cold in their homes. 🔴
No one should have to live in a home that damages their health.
Explore the findings from our survey here. 👉 healthequals.org.uk/data_insight...
No one should have to live in a home that damages their health.
Explore the findings from our survey here. 👉 healthequals.org.uk/data_insight...
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Reposting with Alt-text:
October 27, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Reposting with Alt-text:
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
📢We're ending an exciting week at #CILIP by looking into the future!
Yesterday it was announced that we'll be hosting the World Library and Information Congress with @ifla.org. A wonderful celebration of their 100th and our 150th anniversary. #WLIC2027 www.cilip.org.uk/page/IFLAWLI...
Yesterday it was announced that we'll be hosting the World Library and Information Congress with @ifla.org. A wonderful celebration of their 100th and our 150th anniversary. #WLIC2027 www.cilip.org.uk/page/IFLAWLI...
IFLA selects the UK to host the 2027 World Library and Information Congress
The most prestigious international library event will be in London in 2027 after a successful bid by a partnership including CILIP.
www.cilip.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 2:54 PM
📢We're ending an exciting week at #CILIP by looking into the future!
Yesterday it was announced that we'll be hosting the World Library and Information Congress with @ifla.org. A wonderful celebration of their 100th and our 150th anniversary. #WLIC2027 www.cilip.org.uk/page/IFLAWLI...
Yesterday it was announced that we'll be hosting the World Library and Information Congress with @ifla.org. A wonderful celebration of their 100th and our 150th anniversary. #WLIC2027 www.cilip.org.uk/page/IFLAWLI...
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Is it acceptable to fold the corners of pages in a book (that you own) to serve as bookmarks?
Acceptable: 56%
Unacceptable: 34%
yougov.co.uk/topics/enter...
Acceptable: 56%
Unacceptable: 34%
yougov.co.uk/topics/enter...
October 24, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Is it acceptable to fold the corners of pages in a book (that you own) to serve as bookmarks?
Acceptable: 56%
Unacceptable: 34%
yougov.co.uk/topics/enter...
Acceptable: 56%
Unacceptable: 34%
yougov.co.uk/topics/enter...
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
I’m excited for the Children’s Booker prize ❤️. It will be very helpful to me as a parent to get ideas for books my kids will enjoy www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
The Children’s Booker prize will tell kids that they matter
As the number of children reading for pleasure hits a record low, the new award highlights its importance for wellbeing, and will give away thousands of books
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:56 AM
I’m excited for the Children’s Booker prize ❤️. It will be very helpful to me as a parent to get ideas for books my kids will enjoy www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Yet again, we can't afford to let LLMs become a source of epistemic grounding for society.
Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time – regardless of language or territory
An intensive international study was coordinated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and led by the BBC
www.bbc.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Yet again, we can't afford to let LLMs become a source of epistemic grounding for society.
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Do you teach boardgames? We have just launched a survey asking about your experience! It takes about ten minutes to complete - please share!
Survey link: go.unimelb.edu.au/45qp
Survey link: go.unimelb.edu.au/45qp
October 8, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Do you teach boardgames? We have just launched a survey asking about your experience! It takes about ten minutes to complete - please share!
Survey link: go.unimelb.edu.au/45qp
Survey link: go.unimelb.edu.au/45qp
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Reminder that basing funding on graduate income incentivises unis to close courses like nursing (too poorly paid), and to discriminate against female students and most minority ethnic groups (whose earnings on graduation are lower than white men).
'Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is expected to announce plans to cut the number of UK university places by about 100,000 annually by reintroducing student number controls.' 1/3
Badenoch’s number caps plan would cut 100,000 university places
Tory leader to use conference speech to attack ‘debt trap degrees’ and pledge more money for apprenticeships
www.timeshighereducation.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Reminder that basing funding on graduate income incentivises unis to close courses like nursing (too poorly paid), and to discriminate against female students and most minority ethnic groups (whose earnings on graduation are lower than white men).
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
This week is #BannedBooksWeekUK. Join @indexoncensorship.org to celebrate the books that have been challenged, removed or silenced, and to stand with the people who write, sell and lend them. Celebrate the freedom to read.
Banned Books Week UK - Index on Censorship
Banned Books Week UK returns from 5–11 October 2025. It’s a week to celebrate the books that have been challenged, removed or silenced
www.indexoncensorship.org
October 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM
This week is #BannedBooksWeekUK. Join @indexoncensorship.org to celebrate the books that have been challenged, removed or silenced, and to stand with the people who write, sell and lend them. Celebrate the freedom to read.
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Only three local authorities in England have air quality better than the World Health Organisation's guideline pollutant level, while Tower Hamlets has the lowest air quality.
Explore the data for your area on our newly updated Local Authority Dashboard ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4pNdG1w
Explore the data for your area on our newly updated Local Authority Dashboard ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4pNdG1w
October 6, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Only three local authorities in England have air quality better than the World Health Organisation's guideline pollutant level, while Tower Hamlets has the lowest air quality.
Explore the data for your area on our newly updated Local Authority Dashboard ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4pNdG1w
Explore the data for your area on our newly updated Local Authority Dashboard ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4pNdG1w
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
Chair the UK’s oldest book awards for children and young people! We’re seeking a Chair of Judges to support and guide the panel, ensuring a rewarding judging experience. Tenure starts mid-2026, shadowing the 2027 Chair. Apply by 10 October: informationprofessionaljobs.com/jobs/chair-o...
October 1, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Chair the UK’s oldest book awards for children and young people! We’re seeking a Chair of Judges to support and guide the panel, ensuring a rewarding judging experience. Tenure starts mid-2026, shadowing the 2027 Chair. Apply by 10 October: informationprofessionaljobs.com/jobs/chair-o...
Reposted by Sam Aston she/her
It's a bittersweet thing to post to those who understand.
Some are born here, some are drawn here.
We are Manc. We will not give into terrorism nor let them break us apart be they IRA, Far Left, Far White or ISIS.
You can stick your f Tankies up your ass.
You can stick your f Nazi / ISIS up your ass
Some are born here, some are drawn here.
We are Manc. We will not give into terrorism nor let them break us apart be they IRA, Far Left, Far White or ISIS.
You can stick your f Tankies up your ass.
You can stick your f Nazi / ISIS up your ass
October 2, 2025 at 11:39 AM
It's a bittersweet thing to post to those who understand.
Some are born here, some are drawn here.
We are Manc. We will not give into terrorism nor let them break us apart be they IRA, Far Left, Far White or ISIS.
You can stick your f Tankies up your ass.
You can stick your f Nazi / ISIS up your ass
Some are born here, some are drawn here.
We are Manc. We will not give into terrorism nor let them break us apart be they IRA, Far Left, Far White or ISIS.
You can stick your f Tankies up your ass.
You can stick your f Nazi / ISIS up your ass