Sam Helmick
@samhelmick.bsky.social
5k-er. American Library Association President. Author. Baker. Christian. #FreePeopleReadFreely. LEGO lover. #Library Worker. Policy Wonk. #ThoughtBunny Wrangler. 🐇
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
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
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.
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.
Treadmill at moderate speed? ✅
Great walking tunes? ✅
Engaging reading material? ✅
Reading, music, and movement are good for the body and mind.
What’s your self care of choice today?
#MidWeekMotivation
#AmReading #HappyMaking
Great walking tunes? ✅
Engaging reading material? ✅
Reading, music, and movement are good for the body and mind.
What’s your self care of choice today?
#MidWeekMotivation
#AmReading #HappyMaking
July 16, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Treadmill at moderate speed? ✅
Great walking tunes? ✅
Engaging reading material? ✅
Reading, music, and movement are good for the body and mind.
What’s your self care of choice today?
#MidWeekMotivation
#AmReading #HappyMaking
Great walking tunes? ✅
Engaging reading material? ✅
Reading, music, and movement are good for the body and mind.
What’s your self care of choice today?
#MidWeekMotivation
#AmReading #HappyMaking
Excited to catch the last day of Snake Alley Festival of Film!
Lots of wonderful and thought provoking submissions this year.
#HomeForTheWeekend
#snakealleyfestivaloffilm
Lots of wonderful and thought provoking submissions this year.
#HomeForTheWeekend
#snakealleyfestivaloffilm
July 13, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Excited to catch the last day of Snake Alley Festival of Film!
Lots of wonderful and thought provoking submissions this year.
#HomeForTheWeekend
#snakealleyfestivaloffilm
Lots of wonderful and thought provoking submissions this year.
#HomeForTheWeekend
#snakealleyfestivaloffilm
Blueberry Pie Oreos are back and honestly? New Oreo flavor day should be a national holiday.
Willpower: zero. Joy: maximum.
🫐 🥧 🍪
#Oreo #HappyMaking
Willpower: zero. Joy: maximum.
🫐 🥧 🍪
#Oreo #HappyMaking
July 11, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Blueberry Pie Oreos are back and honestly? New Oreo flavor day should be a national holiday.
Willpower: zero. Joy: maximum.
🫐 🥧 🍪
#Oreo #HappyMaking
Willpower: zero. Joy: maximum.
🫐 🥧 🍪
#Oreo #HappyMaking
Knocking out a few important phone calls before we head back to Iowa from the @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social #ALAAC25!
Safe and happy travels home, everyone!
Solicitations for travel mercy prayer and petition.
🍌 💜 📚 ✈️
Safe and happy travels home, everyone!
Solicitations for travel mercy prayer and petition.
🍌 💜 📚 ✈️
July 1, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Knocking out a few important phone calls before we head back to Iowa from the @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social #ALAAC25!
Safe and happy travels home, everyone!
Solicitations for travel mercy prayer and petition.
🍌 💜 📚 ✈️
Safe and happy travels home, everyone!
Solicitations for travel mercy prayer and petition.
🍌 💜 📚 ✈️
Rocking a morning walk and some coffee before @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social Council Orientation.
Are we ready to Show Up for Libraries today, #ALAAC25?
Are we ready to Show Up for Libraries today, #ALAAC25?
June 28, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Rocking a morning walk and some coffee before @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social Council Orientation.
Are we ready to Show Up for Libraries today, #ALAAC25?
Are we ready to Show Up for Libraries today, #ALAAC25?
✅ packed for #ALAAC25
✅ reviewed and approved timesheets
✅ little time for l breakfast and a devotional
Hoping everyone has a blessed start to their week!
Rooting for you and the paths youll illuminate for others though your care, diligence, and love!
✅ reviewed and approved timesheets
✅ little time for l breakfast and a devotional
Hoping everyone has a blessed start to their week!
Rooting for you and the paths youll illuminate for others though your care, diligence, and love!
June 23, 2025 at 1:51 PM
✅ packed for #ALAAC25
✅ reviewed and approved timesheets
✅ little time for l breakfast and a devotional
Hoping everyone has a blessed start to their week!
Rooting for you and the paths youll illuminate for others though your care, diligence, and love!
✅ reviewed and approved timesheets
✅ little time for l breakfast and a devotional
Hoping everyone has a blessed start to their week!
Rooting for you and the paths youll illuminate for others though your care, diligence, and love!
Visiting OBA Amsterdam has been a longstanding dream! 🇳🇱 📚 💜
Beyond delighted to chat over lunch with Director Berendse about their excellent collections and services for the People as well ad the history and core values of librarianship in the Netherlands.
#AlwaysLearning
#LibraryLife
Beyond delighted to chat over lunch with Director Berendse about their excellent collections and services for the People as well ad the history and core values of librarianship in the Netherlands.
#AlwaysLearning
#LibraryLife
June 13, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Visiting OBA Amsterdam has been a longstanding dream! 🇳🇱 📚 💜
Beyond delighted to chat over lunch with Director Berendse about their excellent collections and services for the People as well ad the history and core values of librarianship in the Netherlands.
#AlwaysLearning
#LibraryLife
Beyond delighted to chat over lunch with Director Berendse about their excellent collections and services for the People as well ad the history and core values of librarianship in the Netherlands.
#AlwaysLearning
#LibraryLife
💕Le mur des je t’aime!! 💕
Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito’s wall is composed of 612 tiles of enamelled lava, on which the phrase ‘I love you’ is featured 311 times in 250 languages!
Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito’s wall is composed of 612 tiles of enamelled lava, on which the phrase ‘I love you’ is featured 311 times in 250 languages!
June 12, 2025 at 2:01 PM
💕Le mur des je t’aime!! 💕
Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito’s wall is composed of 612 tiles of enamelled lava, on which the phrase ‘I love you’ is featured 311 times in 250 languages!
Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito’s wall is composed of 612 tiles of enamelled lava, on which the phrase ‘I love you’ is featured 311 times in 250 languages!
Spent the day at the airport catching up on emails and drafting a few speeches.
Thrilled to connect with library workers in France and to represent American Library Association at their 70th Library Congress.
Soliciting prayers and good thoughts for travel mercies and rest along the way. 💜
Thrilled to connect with library workers in France and to represent American Library Association at their 70th Library Congress.
Soliciting prayers and good thoughts for travel mercies and rest along the way. 💜
June 10, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Spent the day at the airport catching up on emails and drafting a few speeches.
Thrilled to connect with library workers in France and to represent American Library Association at their 70th Library Congress.
Soliciting prayers and good thoughts for travel mercies and rest along the way. 💜
Thrilled to connect with library workers in France and to represent American Library Association at their 70th Library Congress.
Soliciting prayers and good thoughts for travel mercies and rest along the way. 💜
Last Canadian #coffeeselfie for a while. 🇨🇦 ☕️ 🍁
Representing the @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social at @torontocomics.bsky.social was an absolute best.
Connecting with my Neighbors to the North over comics, literacy, and libraries was good for my 🧠 and 💜.
#LibraryLife #AlwaysLearning #HappyMaking
Representing the @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social at @torontocomics.bsky.social was an absolute best.
Connecting with my Neighbors to the North over comics, literacy, and libraries was good for my 🧠 and 💜.
#LibraryLife #AlwaysLearning #HappyMaking
June 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Last Canadian #coffeeselfie for a while. 🇨🇦 ☕️ 🍁
Representing the @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social at @torontocomics.bsky.social was an absolute best.
Connecting with my Neighbors to the North over comics, literacy, and libraries was good for my 🧠 and 💜.
#LibraryLife #AlwaysLearning #HappyMaking
Representing the @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social at @torontocomics.bsky.social was an absolute best.
Connecting with my Neighbors to the North over comics, literacy, and libraries was good for my 🧠 and 💜.
#LibraryLife #AlwaysLearning #HappyMaking
First #coffeeselfie of my 39th year.
Celebrated my birthday by sharing and learning about storytelling and advocating for our communities with Lake Superior Libraries folks!
Excited to see old friends.
Delighted to make new ones too.
#OurStoriesAreWorthSharing #LibraryLife #grateful
Celebrated my birthday by sharing and learning about storytelling and advocating for our communities with Lake Superior Libraries folks!
Excited to see old friends.
Delighted to make new ones too.
#OurStoriesAreWorthSharing #LibraryLife #grateful
June 6, 2025 at 8:05 PM
First #coffeeselfie of my 39th year.
Celebrated my birthday by sharing and learning about storytelling and advocating for our communities with Lake Superior Libraries folks!
Excited to see old friends.
Delighted to make new ones too.
#OurStoriesAreWorthSharing #LibraryLife #grateful
Celebrated my birthday by sharing and learning about storytelling and advocating for our communities with Lake Superior Libraries folks!
Excited to see old friends.
Delighted to make new ones too.
#OurStoriesAreWorthSharing #LibraryLife #grateful
Found what I believe is the mystic spire variety of Silvia plant this afternoon on my walk.
Quite pretty and rife for a tiny bit of #poetry.
#walking #lunchbreak
Quite pretty and rife for a tiny bit of #poetry.
#walking #lunchbreak
May 30, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Found what I believe is the mystic spire variety of Silvia plant this afternoon on my walk.
Quite pretty and rife for a tiny bit of #poetry.
#walking #lunchbreak
Quite pretty and rife for a tiny bit of #poetry.
#walking #lunchbreak
Thankful to Robert Newlen for his decades long dedication to public service and for lovely time together during such a busy and impactful season in his life to connect over our shared loves of literacy, learning, librarianship, and democracy. 💜
#librarylife
#humbled
#happymaking
#librarylife
#humbled
#happymaking
May 22, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Thankful to Robert Newlen for his decades long dedication to public service and for lovely time together during such a busy and impactful season in his life to connect over our shared loves of literacy, learning, librarianship, and democracy. 💜
#librarylife
#humbled
#happymaking
#librarylife
#humbled
#happymaking