“Well, they’re my favorites, I can’t help if I like what I like.” Back in July, Grace Lin shared a picture from her local public library on Twitter. When I saw it, my heart sank. I felt a shock of embarrassed sadness. And then I just felt fucking mad. First, imagine Grace Lin is your library patron!…
As librarians we bend over backwards for our reluctant readers. We salivate at the idea that a book is perfect for reluctant readers, that it’s so appealing that kids who don’t like books will LOVE it. We preen with delight when non-readers tell us “I loved this book and I never read books.” We feel…
I am a good liberal. In fact, I am a good liberal about being a good liberal. That means that I recognize that my activism is always a work in progress, that I must constantly strive to question and check my own privilege, that I must consciously work on expanding my vocabulary and understanding, I…
After our teen group meeting, a group of boys split off and starting playing Super Smash Brothers Brawl and a group of teen volunteers came into the room and started eating leftover cake and ice cream. It was a fun atmosphere. One of the teen’s boyfriend arrived and looked around. “Um,” he said slowly, pointing…
“Sympathizers are spectators; empathizers wear game shoes.” -John Eyberg I have been so lucky in my professional life. From the tight band of women who were my grad school friends and are now librarians and archivists all over the US to the friends and connections I made through my work in YALSA to the people…
Well, there it is: my big, fat body. I’m standing in the Gulf of Mexico, in the middle of a luxurious vacation with a group of my closest friends, enjoying my life and my world and having a wonderful time with people who love me, but I can see as how this would gross you…
REJOICE, THE BLOG IS BACK FROM THE DEAD!! (peeks around) I hope some people are actually still out there reading? Hello? Please forgive my absence, I hope some readers are still around! ZOMG, has it really been over a month!?? I can’t believe it’s been this long between posts! Getting back in the habit of…
“My reality is filled with young people who don’t see themselves reflected in books. And if you don’t see yourself in books, do you exist? Do you matter? Does anyone care about your life? Your story? Well, I know that we all matter, and my goal as an artist is to make sure others know,…
my response to the 2011 Quick Picks Committee I always knew I was going to end up making this post, but I really didn’t think it was going to be within my first 10 entries. Good to get it out of the way, I suppose. Mainly, this post is a response to some comments from…
