MaryEllen
@mecd.bsky.social
Librarian, fiber artist, gardener, gamer
I create therefore I am.
I create therefore I am.
"Every book you read helps you build a richer picture of the entire world."
Indeed.
Indeed.
I wrote this about how to read and why.
Books remain the best technology ever invented to understand life and the world. There is no alternative.
Every book you read helps you build a richer picture of the entire world.
jmarriott.substack.com/p/how-i-read
Books remain the best technology ever invented to understand life and the world. There is no alternative.
Every book you read helps you build a richer picture of the entire world.
jmarriott.substack.com/p/how-i-read
How to read and why
I love reading and I love advice about how to read.
jmarriott.substack.com
June 8, 2025 at 1:35 AM
"Every book you read helps you build a richer picture of the entire world."
Indeed.
Indeed.
There is something incredibly moving about this simple act.
Every year on Memorial Day, I share this video of French caretakers who take sand from Omaha Beach in Normandy, and scrub them into the letters to give them the gold coloring.
They do this for all 9,386 US soldiers who died.
France also gave us this land as American soil.
They do this for all 9,386 US soldiers who died.
France also gave us this land as American soil.
May 26, 2025 at 9:34 PM
There is something incredibly moving about this simple act.
Why do I feel like the headline in today's NY Times will be praising the administration for its new reef construction initiative?
May 7, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Why do I feel like the headline in today's NY Times will be praising the administration for its new reef construction initiative?
LSTA, the funding mechanism for federal.aid to libraries, archives, and museums comes up for renewal every 20 years. This August, Congress needs to reauthorize the act or it will expire and with it, the funding.
We need library supporters across the nation to get involved right away.
📣 Tell Congress that we urgently need them to act #ForOurLibraries during this year’s budget process: ala.org/FundLibraries
#FundLibraries
📣 Tell Congress that we urgently need them to act #ForOurLibraries during this year’s budget process: ala.org/FundLibraries
#FundLibraries
May 3, 2025 at 4:12 AM
LSTA, the funding mechanism for federal.aid to libraries, archives, and museums comes up for renewal every 20 years. This August, Congress needs to reauthorize the act or it will expire and with it, the funding.
I had an amazing week at the Bologna International Children's Book Fair. So much to think about. Information literacy is one primary issue I am pondering. We teach kids how to decode fiction, but non-fiction isn't taught the same way and the 2 should be on par. 🧵
April 7, 2025 at 12:59 AM
I had an amazing week at the Bologna International Children's Book Fair. So much to think about. Information literacy is one primary issue I am pondering. We teach kids how to decode fiction, but non-fiction isn't taught the same way and the 2 should be on par. 🧵
2 books, perfect for late elementary/middle grade readers, & stand up for adult readers. Most heroic books feature super heroes, but these are normal boys who rise to meet extraordinary circumstances. Both are translated from the original Spanish. We need more stories about ordinary heroes. 📚
March 12, 2025 at 1:37 PM
2 books, perfect for late elementary/middle grade readers, & stand up for adult readers. Most heroic books feature super heroes, but these are normal boys who rise to meet extraordinary circumstances. Both are translated from the original Spanish. We need more stories about ordinary heroes. 📚
I was in a training about a statewide program rollout last week. The thing that struck me and that I keep coming back to is that all of the materials had to be written for a 5th or 6th grade reading level because that is the level a majority of Americans can comprehend. I know it, & yet, shocking.
March 3, 2025 at 1:27 AM
I was in a training about a statewide program rollout last week. The thing that struck me and that I keep coming back to is that all of the materials had to be written for a 5th or 6th grade reading level because that is the level a majority of Americans can comprehend. I know it, & yet, shocking.
This book is really fantastic. Themes of coming of age, the transition from little kid to bigger kid, and learning that there are many paths of self-determination. Great for later elementary age kids but relatable for older kids, teens, and adults too. It's a very enjoyable and fast read.
February 28, 2025 at 2:21 PM
This book is really fantastic. Themes of coming of age, the transition from little kid to bigger kid, and learning that there are many paths of self-determination. Great for later elementary age kids but relatable for older kids, teens, and adults too. It's a very enjoyable and fast read.
Reposted by MaryEllen
Someone has claimed this! But tell you what, I am currently 139 away from my goal. If I get to under 100 TONIGHT, I’ll give away a set of the Broken Earth Deluxe Editions!
Leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com
Leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com
February 28, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Someone has claimed this! But tell you what, I am currently 139 away from my goal. If I get to under 100 TONIGHT, I’ll give away a set of the Broken Earth Deluxe Editions!
Leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com
Leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com
Let's get this guy past his goal, shall we? $5/month who else has it to spare or can share his message to those that can? In dark times, let's make a dream possible.
If you can comfortably live without $5 or $12 a month, please consider investing that into Black and brown authors! They are worth it! Thanks!
Leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com
Leftunreadbooks.binderybooks.com
February 26, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Let's get this guy past his goal, shall we? $5/month who else has it to spare or can share his message to those that can? In dark times, let's make a dream possible.
I'm looking for recommendations of YA and middle grade books by African authors. What'cha got?
February 19, 2025 at 6:16 AM
I'm looking for recommendations of YA and middle grade books by African authors. What'cha got?
Hats off to Kendrick Lamar. That was an art piece.
And also, an Everest level diss track.
And also, an Everest level diss track.
February 10, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Hats off to Kendrick Lamar. That was an art piece.
And also, an Everest level diss track.
And also, an Everest level diss track.
I was expecting this to be a good read, but it's so much more than that. Middle grade, graphic novel filled with diverse characters, an interesting world build, and themes of finding yourself and your place in the world. Great for kids, but also, great for adults in this challenging now.
February 7, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I was expecting this to be a good read, but it's so much more than that. Middle grade, graphic novel filled with diverse characters, an interesting world build, and themes of finding yourself and your place in the world. Great for kids, but also, great for adults in this challenging now.
Librarians and Hoopla users, take a look at this report about AI Slop in library Hoopla catalogs. www.404media.co/ai-generated...
AI-Generated Slop Is Already In Your Public Library
Librarians say that taxpayers are already paying for low quality AI-generated ebooks in public libraries.
www.404media.co
February 6, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Librarians and Hoopla users, take a look at this report about AI Slop in library Hoopla catalogs. www.404media.co/ai-generated...
If you're looking for a palate cleanser, check out French children's book author/illustrator Blexbolex' work. These genre expanding books seem simple at first, but the depth to them, the misleading simplicity, and the joy and anguish of childhood make them relatable for all and worth the read.
February 5, 2025 at 3:21 AM
If you're looking for a palate cleanser, check out French children's book author/illustrator Blexbolex' work. These genre expanding books seem simple at first, but the depth to them, the misleading simplicity, and the joy and anguish of childhood make them relatable for all and worth the read.
Has your library received a Dollar General Literacy Foundation Summer Reading or Literacy Grant? What was the program?
January 29, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Has your library received a Dollar General Literacy Foundation Summer Reading or Literacy Grant? What was the program?
This feels like good news in a sea of bad this week. www.mlive.com/news/2025/01...
400,000 Arctic grayling eggs to be planted in Michigan waters 89 years after local extinction
Arctic grayling disappeared from Michigan’s waterways in 1936.
www.mlive.com
January 25, 2025 at 12:47 AM
This feels like good news in a sea of bad this week. www.mlive.com/news/2025/01...
Quicksand, man, growing up in the 70s and 80s, you'd think the stuff was lurking around every corner, waiting to swallow you up. Do kids today even know it exists?????
January 21, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Quicksand, man, growing up in the 70s and 80s, you'd think the stuff was lurking around every corner, waiting to swallow you up. Do kids today even know it exists?????
“We create a world that is better when young people can explore literature that speaks to them authentically and meets them where they are at—not where adults imagine they should be,” Magnussen said.
Many hearty congratulations to @tasslyn.bsky.social for being honored with the Free Speech Award given by the Children's Book Council!
Her work compiling a database of thousands of challenges and bans of children's books is a vital piece of the fight against the book banners.
tinyurl.com/547hx36r
Her work compiling a database of thousands of challenges and bans of children's books is a vital piece of the fight against the book banners.
tinyurl.com/547hx36r
Children's Book Council, Every Child a Reader Name Winner of Inaugural Free Speech Award
Tje Children’s Book Council and its charitable arm, Every Child a Reader, have decided to acknowledge the heroic efforts of those working behind the scenes, and are honoring Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson as t...
tinyurl.com
January 10, 2025 at 1:47 PM
“We create a world that is better when young people can explore literature that speaks to them authentically and meets them where they are at—not where adults imagine they should be,” Magnussen said.
Reposted by MaryEllen
Many hearty congratulations to @tasslyn.bsky.social for being honored with the Free Speech Award given by the Children's Book Council!
Her work compiling a database of thousands of challenges and bans of children's books is a vital piece of the fight against the book banners.
tinyurl.com/547hx36r
Her work compiling a database of thousands of challenges and bans of children's books is a vital piece of the fight against the book banners.
tinyurl.com/547hx36r
Children's Book Council, Every Child a Reader Name Winner of Inaugural Free Speech Award
Tje Children’s Book Council and its charitable arm, Every Child a Reader, have decided to acknowledge the heroic efforts of those working behind the scenes, and are honoring Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson as t...
tinyurl.com
January 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Many hearty congratulations to @tasslyn.bsky.social for being honored with the Free Speech Award given by the Children's Book Council!
Her work compiling a database of thousands of challenges and bans of children's books is a vital piece of the fight against the book banners.
tinyurl.com/547hx36r
Her work compiling a database of thousands of challenges and bans of children's books is a vital piece of the fight against the book banners.
tinyurl.com/547hx36r
In the times we live in, perhaps the old chestnut, "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all", should be changed to if you can't verify that what you are saying is true, don't say anything at all.
Repeating bad information drowns out the voices of good information.
Repeating bad information drowns out the voices of good information.
January 10, 2025 at 1:59 AM
In the times we live in, perhaps the old chestnut, "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all", should be changed to if you can't verify that what you are saying is true, don't say anything at all.
Repeating bad information drowns out the voices of good information.
Repeating bad information drowns out the voices of good information.
I've seen a lot of posts lately saying that to support a library, you should get a card. Other things you can do:
1. Be promiscuous in using that card
2. Go to board meetings
3. Join the Friends
4. Demand the books that represent you, you can challenge absent books as much as present ones
5. Donate
1. Be promiscuous in using that card
2. Go to board meetings
3. Join the Friends
4. Demand the books that represent you, you can challenge absent books as much as present ones
5. Donate
December 22, 2024 at 12:56 PM
I've seen a lot of posts lately saying that to support a library, you should get a card. Other things you can do:
1. Be promiscuous in using that card
2. Go to board meetings
3. Join the Friends
4. Demand the books that represent you, you can challenge absent books as much as present ones
5. Donate
1. Be promiscuous in using that card
2. Go to board meetings
3. Join the Friends
4. Demand the books that represent you, you can challenge absent books as much as present ones
5. Donate
"But stoking curiosity is the library’s major purpose"
Not everyone has my luck — I love my job.
I am a librarian.
I am a librarian.
Here’s a Beautiful Reason for Loving Libraries : The Library Moment!
Here’s a Beautiful Reason for Loving Libraries : The Library Moment!
action.everylibrary.org
December 14, 2024 at 2:23 PM
"But stoking curiosity is the library’s major purpose"
Reposted by MaryEllen
Since kiddo's first Christmas, our elf brings holiday/winter themed books each day of December. Right now, kid gets 3 easier nostalgic books a day and one longer read a week. He's getting tonthebage when this may be the last believing year. I hope not, but I think our elf will still be here. I hope.
December 9, 2024 at 2:43 AM
Since kiddo's first Christmas, our elf brings holiday/winter themed books each day of December. Right now, kid gets 3 easier nostalgic books a day and one longer read a week. He's getting tonthebage when this may be the last believing year. I hope not, but I think our elf will still be here. I hope.