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religion-is-a-mental-illness · 4 months

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By: Anonymous

Published: Jan 9, 2024

I’m a school librarian in a major UK city and I wanted to write to you about what is going on inside education at the moment. The final straw for me came when I received an email from the (US) School Library Journal about their trans and NB spotlight with the line “J.K. Rowling’s recent transphobic tirades on social media”. And check out the line-up on the Zoom panel!

Enough is enough.

I will admit that several years ago I was pretty full-on with my alphabet-soup allyship and then I got peaked by Mumsnet when I had my children. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

My issue is with how the indoctrination has seeped into books and materials unchecked. Last year I read the book “Nothing Ever Happens Here” written from the POV of a young girl about her father transitioning and it was utterly awful. The ending was the family all happy with two “mums”. It was a Stonewall pamphlet in disguise. Any possibility that the child would be upset by what was happening at home was quickly brushed aside. It turns out that its author, Sarah Hagger-Holt, is a Stonewall employee.

There are so many books like this finding their way into libraries and the library staff do not appear to be questioning the content or even the quality of the writing as long as the books tick the “inclusivity” box. For example, “If I Was Your Girl” is an award-winning story about a trans girl who gets surgery and hormones and “passes” in her new school. It’s written by Meredith Russo, a trans-identified male, who has a history of sexual and emotional abuse, but no matter! It reads like a TRA wet dream: the pretty young teen smoothly transitions and gets the life she wants, which includes getting a gorgeous, straight boyfriend. A young person reading this may not realise that this is simply wish-fulfillment wrapped up in Young Adult (YA) fiction and nothing in it is remotely feasible.

Recently I was being nosy on a secondary school’s website and discovered their library’s LGBT section was made up of “Some Girls Bind”, “Being Jazz”, and “The Trans Teen Survival Guide”. That was it. Nothing else for the LGB kids. “The Trans Teen Guide” explains to young people how easy it is to legally change your name, and signposts websites where you can buy binders. Mermaids are listed as a place to find support, of course.

Meanwhile, JKR is Satan for standing up for women and girls. It is painful reading discussion board threads written by librarians questioning what they should do about the “problematic author.” Facebook groups are particularly interesting as I’ve witnessed the group moderators remove the comments that support JKR because they were repeatedly reported by other members of the group. Some say they won’t buy her books, or they will remove them from circulation or stock them but not promote them.

No more Harry Potter events, no more displays of her work. It’s not all librarians, but there are plenty of vocal ones who have bought into the idea that JKR is literally murdering trans kids with her words. Last year I unsubscribed from a favourite Young Adult podcast for their segment on what to promote as an alternative to Harry Potter. It’s madness.

I think the thing I really object to in libraries overall is the lack of questioning going on. I know you have covered the Drag Story Time in public libraries, but I’m really shocked by the lack of research and critical thinking from information professionals who are supposed to be champions of these skills. I’m sure that many of them believe they are doing the right thing. I know I did.

The School Library Association made Juno Dawson one of their Patrons at the end of 2020. I met Dawson many years years ago at a library event and I really appreciated hearing an honest and frankly, painful story of a young gay boy being bullied and how much of a lifeline the school library was. Dawson struck me as a very kind and deeply sad person at that point. School libraries are a safe space for the vulnerable, and it’s no coincidence that often you will find the LGBT students seek it as a place of sanctuary. We do need someone popular and well-known to speak up for us as patron. Let’s be honest though; Dawson has made a tremendous career from being trans. From speaking to packed-out auditoriums of young readers to writing non-fiction books educating us as “she knows everything about gender because she’s been both.” A few years ago, over 300 copies of Dawson’s book “What’s the T” were bought and donated to schools by well-meaning people on Twitter. So heart-warming and kind. Nobody seems to be questioning this.

I’ve been a huge supporter of my LGBT students for the whole of my twenty-plus year career. It hurts to see these brilliant young girls telling me they’re non-binary or trans. The vast majority of our female students in this ever-growing group are on the autistic spectrum or have mental health issues. I don’t understand why this isn’t being questioned more vocally. I’m worried that I’ve made this much, much worse by promoting this propaganda dressed up as YA fiction for years. LGBT History Month? Here, have this book telling you being a lesbian is bad and you’re probably trans.

I’m scared that at some point the trans ideology train is going to come for the “forbidden” books in my library. Will my Head tell me I need to remove all the Harry Potter books? What about the non-fiction books that tell these girls the biological truth about periods and puberty? Cancel culture is coming for school librarians in the UK; how long before we become like the US school system where books are regularly banned for being offensive to individual, captured parents?

Librarians were struggling to keep our jobs before Covid-19 and now it is even harder. We are being made redundant to save money. Lots of school libraries were closed and became temporary classrooms, COVID testing centres, or spill-over staff rooms in 2020. Some of us haven’t recovered. Are librarians really going to poke their heads above the parapet if it means they might be marked as “transphobic” and made unable to get a job in a school again? Or maybe have to move sectors and end up working at university libraries which are even more indoctrinated?

For the moment I’m concentrating on trying to undo some of the damage I’ve done. Last year I purchased a pile of Young Adult books featuring happy, gender non-conforming girls. I’ve researched YA love stories about positive LGB relationships. I want our girls to realise they are perfect just the way they are.

To parents I would say, try to talk to your children about what they are reading. Honest, open communication is key.

Please remember that there are people in schools who are trying to make a difference. We just can’t say it openly.

(Author’s name has been witheld on her request. If you have a story on how gender ideology is affecting your place of work, please write to [email protected])

Reminder, Juno Dawson is the same self-hating gay man who said:

"There are a lot of gay men out there who are gay men as a consolation prize because they couldn't be women. That was certainly true of me."

He has no business giving any advice to anyone, least of all gay kids.

#Graham Linehan #librarieans #libraries #school libraries #school librarians #woke librarians #gender ideology #queer theory #propaganda #corruption of education #indoctrination #institutional capture #ideological capture #ideological corruption #religion is a mental illness

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librarycards · 1 year

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In the spirit of my beloved URL, I wanted to share this resource from the Brooklyn Public Library. Through their Books Unbanned program, young people ages 13-21 can send them a quick email for free access to an e-card. Info is at the link above.

They provide a service for recommendations if you're not sure what you want to read. Longtime followers know I love providing book recs, so here are some books to check out if you're just now getting your Brooklyn Public Library card.

Art Spiegelman, Maus

Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye

Toni Morrison, Beloved

Malinda Lo, Ash

Carmen Maria Machado, In the Dream House

Mariko & Jillian Tamaki, This One Summer

Cherie Demaline, The Marrow Thieves

Alison Bechdel, Fun Home

Mikki Kendall, Hood Feminism.

Aiden Thomas, Cemetery Boys

Leah Johnson, You Should See Me in a Crown

Ocean Vuong, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis

Meredith Talusan, Fairest.

This is just a tiny sampling of the books available to you, drawn from BPL's banned/challenged book lists. But the cool thing about a library card is that it affords you a limitless array of books and other media, objects, and space to learn, grow, and resist the christofascist scourge of censorship.

#mine #book rec #resources #library

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sergeant-spoons · 9 months

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In Defense of Chicanery Update

Hello my lovely mutuals and readers!

I know this is on short notice, but I feel it is necessary for me to do so without warning (for legal reasons that may become relevant somewhere down the road). I will be removing my fic IDOC from all published locations (here on tumblr and AO3). I’ll only be privating the locations, so they will still exist but won’t be able to be seen by the public. I’m doing this because I’ve been toying with the idea of rewriting IDOC as an original novel for many months now, and I’ve decided that I’m going to do it. This fic has been my life and soul for several years, and I always come back to it when I think about what I want my first published book to be.

All additional works related to the fic will remain up, such as any writing challenges I’ve done and the alternate POV I wrote from Perry’s point of view, EXCEPT for the 1 epilogue I have published with Meredith Chatham and Nicholas Rich (that particular piece is too canon-relevant for me to leave up). The rest of these works may have to come down at some point, but until I am advised otherwise, those will remain as they are.

Thank you so so SO much for all the love and support shown to this fic over the last few years. It is thanks to all of you that have read Verity’s story that I have the confidence to try this.

I love you all so much and I can’t wait to see Verity’s story on a library bookshelf someday. 💕

(If you have any questions - or anything else to say - please shoot me an ask or a DM, I’d be happy to answer.)

~~~~~

(Note: If I eventually end up abandoning the idea, IDOC will go back up exactly as it is in its current state, both on tumblr and AO3. This is kind of the last possible outcome for me, but if it comes to pass, IDOC will not disappear from the web forever.)

#in defense of chicanery #this is so very exciting for me #thank you all so much

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classicfilmfan64 · 8 months

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ANOTHER PUBLIC LIBRARY SCORE. The THEATER OF BLOOD BluRay has a much better picture quality, than another version that I have seen. It needed a reissue. This is a favorite Vincent Price film. Diana Rigg is the co-star, I love her work. This was also one of Vincent Price's favorite films. A Shakespearean actor takes poetic revenge on the critics who denied him recognition. There are many familiar British character actors, in the film.

It was filmed in England, and Vincent Price and Coral Browne first met on the set and later married, Diana Rigg introduced them. Vincent Price made many films, in the UK.

Theatre of Blood (known in the U.S. as Theater of Blood) is a 1973 British horror comedy film directed by Douglas Hickox, and starring Vincent Price as vengeful actor Edward Lionheart and Diana Rigg as his daughter Edwina. The cast:

Vincent Price ... Edward Lionheart

Diana Rigg ... Edwina Lionheart

Ian Hendry ... Peregrine Devlin

Harry Andrews ... Trevor Dickman

Robert Coote ... Oliver Larding

Michael Hordern ... George Maxwell

Robert Morley ... Meredith Merridew

Coral Browne ... Chloe Moon

Jack Hawkins ... Solomon Psaltery

Arthur Lowe ... Horace Sprout

Dennis Price ... Hector Snipe

Milo O'Shea ... Inspector Boot

Eric Sykes ... Sgt. Dogge

Diana Dors ... Maisie Psaltery

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magicalgirlmascot · 2 years

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Fancuries FYC: Yo-Ho-Ho! Pirate Pretty Cure

[All image descriptions will be in alt text.]

Hello all! I'm Rags, relatively new to the fancure community, and this past year or so I've been working hard on a fanseries of my own called Yo-Ho-Ho! Pirate Pretty Cure. I haven't posted the actual story yet since it's very much still a work in progress, but here's what I have posted for it so far!

Yo-Ho-Ho! is about four girls, Merry, Leah, Anna, and Laci, who become the Pirate PreCure to help save the Infinite Sea, an alternate world where pirates do battle against the insidious Phantom Storm Company. Brought together by Polly, a parrot pirate who can take a human form, they have to gather the pieces of the Ultimate Treasure Map and solve the riddle of legendary pirate Calamity Jax before the Phantom Storm Company uses it to take over the Infinite Sea forever.

The girls transform using the Treasure Pacts and Golden Keys pictured above. By inserting the key into the lock on the front of the Pact and spinning the ship's wheel inside, the four of them can transform into the Pirate PreCure! Polly brings the Pacts with her when she arrives from the Infinite Sea, and the Golden Keys are found in Merry's grandparents' attic.

Meredith "Merry" Read/Cure Captain: Merry is a grade 8 student originally from Toronto who moves to Dovern's Landing, Newfoundland right at the start of the story. She's normally friendly and passionate, but grief has made her grouchier and angrier, and it's difficult for her to make connections with others. However, she also can't take an injustice lying down, and through her willingness to stand up for herself and others, she can inspire people to do the same. Merry likes horror movies and math puzzles, and since moving to Newfoundland she's developed a fascination with the ocean.

Leah Drake/Cure Lookout: Leah is a grade 8 student who has lived in Dovern's Landing her whole life. She's a great athlete who loves sports, especially soccer, but her quiet worrywart personality make her a prime target for bullies. She's well-liked by her teachers and teammates, but struggles to make connections with people her own age. Aside from sports, Leah also likes cooking, and often winds up doing a lot of the cooking for her busy household.

Anna Rivvers/Cure Buccaneer: Anna is a grade 7 student who moved to Dovern's Landing from Halifax, Nova Scotia about 2 years ago. She's full of energy and somewhat childish, easily distracted and lacking focus. She often inspires others to get up and go, and she tries to bring out the best in people. However, she can also sometimes be clingy and shallow. Anna loves dancing, music, fashion, and shopping, and frequently begs her stepmom for shopping trips in St. John's.

Laci Drake/Cure Corsair: Laci is grade 9 student and Leah's older sister. In contrast to her younger sister, Laci can be loud and brash, but prefers quiet solo hobbies like drawing and reading. She's the secretary for their local public library's Teen Advisory Board and she takes her position very seriously. She worries constantly about Leah, especially since this is the first time the two of them aren't going to the same school. She's very protective, sometimes overly so, and extraordinarily stubborn. Laci spends most of her time drawing, reading, and playing an MMORPG called Fantasy Skies Online.

Polly Layton: Polly is a hot-tempered pirate from the Infinite Sea. She escaped to the Mainland (our world) with the Treasure Pacts on orders from her captain, Locke Prescott, in order to find the Pirate PreCure and stop the Phantom Storm Company once and for all. She alternates between two forms: a red parrot and a redheaded woman, both wearing an eyepatch over their left eye. Has a tendency to scream insults in the same style as Captain Haddock.

Calamity Jax: Jax is a legendary pirate from the Infinite Sea who also shows up in Mainland folklore. They were responsible for establishing the Pirate Code, creating the Treasure Pacts, and scattering the pieces of the Ultimate Treasure Map on the Mainland.

The Phantom Storm Company: A fleet of mercenary ships who have made it their sworn mission to stamp out piracy for good. Led by Admiral Zora Revenant, a strict, conniving shark of a woman with a personal grudge against pirates, and her personal ship, the Sea Ghost. Charges obscene amounts of money to chase down pirates for private clients and won't help those who can't or won't pay for their services.

Commodore Trio: The three best commodores in the Phantom Storm Company: Avery Wraith, Marcie Haunt, and Lindsey Shade. Wraith's ship is the Wild Wind, Haunt's is the Night Hurricane, and Shade's is the Crooked Star. Haunt and Polly are Extremely Divorced.

Bonnie: Bonnie is the left hand of Admiral Revenant. She is sent to the Mainland after several failed attempts by the Commodore Trio to judge their progress and report back to Revenant. To say anything else about her would be major spoilers.

Thank you for reading this far and I hope you consider nominating Yo-Ho-Ho! Pirate PreCure for the Fancuries! Even if you don't, though, thank you for looking at them I always love showing off my OCs lol.

#fancuries #fancuries fyc #fancuries 2022 fyc #precure #precure fanseries #fancure #this is my first fancuries i'm excited #tbh idc if i get nominated. i just want you all to look at them

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twittercomfrnklin2001-blog · 1 year

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The Manitou

Graham Masterton’s novel THE MANITOU was hardly great writing, but it had two things going for it: a grimy feel for its New York setting and an attempt to link its plot to Manhattan’s theft from Native peoples (so I guess you won’t find it any Florida public school libraries). Those are both missing from William Girdler’s 1978 film version (streaming on Shudder), which moves the action to San Francisco, where the action keeps stopping for picturesque views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The plot, in which a shaman’s spirit is reborn from a growth on Susan Strasberg’s neck, is defanged because the shaman is now from a tribe that had died out long before white settlers reached the area (so you could show the film in Florida public schools). As a result, he’s just “the other,” a hideous non-white played by little people Felix Silla and Joe Gieb, thereby rendering the film both racist and ableist. It’s clearly just an attempt to work a variation on THE EXORCIST (1973) with effects that can’t approach those of the earlier film. As a fake mentalist who used to date Strasberg, Tony Curtis tries to make the thing work. His early scenes in sessions with older women clients (first Jeanette Nolan and then Lurene Tuttle) have a nice comic rhythm. And even in his later years, he moves with an athlete’s grace. But he can’t conquer the film’s overall tackiness. By the time the shaman emerges from Strasberg’s neck and starts wreaking havoc on a hospital, it’s all just too silly. Curtis and Michael Ansara, as a shaman brought in to fight the evil spirit, have to act scared while wandering through sets that wouldn’t fly in an early video game. When naked Susan Strasberg rises from the seeming dead to join the fray as poorly matted fireballs and lightning bolts fly about, all you can do is laugh. The cast is filled with recognizable names, including Stella Stevens as a medium, Ann Sothern (still beautiful in her sixties and acting up a storm), in one scene as Strasberg’s rich aunt, Paul Mantee as a doctor and Burgess Meredith in a scene-stealing bit as an absent-minded anthropologist.

#horror films #tony curtis #susan strasberg #ann sothern #stella stevens #bad movies

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bmaatuga · 2 years

Photo

We’re on a roll with UGA’s Film Library of days past! After prior postings and Tweets this week, we did a quick search in the Hargrett Library finding aids and found these negatives in envelopes labeled, handily, “Film Library.” A few of the images are too brightly lit and a little out of focus, but they do illustrate that a lot of people were employed to keep the films in good condition as they were shipped out and returned from all over the state, educating people in dark rooms.

The film cans we have from those days still have the painted item numbers on the edges of the cans that correspond with matching numbers in the rack shelving, as shown in the photos.

The photos were taken when the Film Library was housed on the 3rd floor of the Old College building in the 1950s, right at the center of the north campus.

According to the UGA Architects’ office, “Old College is the oldest remaining structure on UGA's historic north campus, constructed in 1806. . . . Over the years, the building has served as a dormitory, classroom, barracks and administrative offices. [T]he restored Old College building houses offices for the Dean of Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and the Associate Vice President for Public Service and Outreach.”

We’re hoping that the woman in the first two images above is Meredith D. Hart, the Film Librarian in the early 1950s.

#UGA #16mm film #library #Old College #archives #Hargrett Library #negatives #photographs

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easays · 1 year

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reading list + notes

Using this space as a public space to chronicle my reading for my comprehensive exams.

Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, John Cleland (1749)

The Travels of Hildebrand Bowman, Unknown (1778)

Mary: A Fiction, Mary Wollstonecraft (1788)

A Simple Story, Elizabeth Inchbald (1791)

Maria, or the Wrongs of Woman, Mary Wollstonecraft (1798)

Adeline Mowbray, Amelia Opie (1805)

Zofloya, or the Moore, Charlotte Dacre (1806)

The Woman of Colour: A Tale, Unknown (1808)

Laon and Cythna, Percy Bysshe Shelley (1818)

Mathilda, Mary Shelley (1819)

Hamel, or The Obeah Man, Cynric Williams (1827)

Castle Rackrent, Maria Edgeworth (1832)

Agnes Grey, Anne Brontë (1847-48)

The Tenant of Wildefell Hall, Anne Brontë (1848)

David Copperfield, Charles Dickens (1849-50)

The Half-Caste, Dinah Mulock Craig (1851)

London Labour and the London Poor, Henry Mayhew (1862)

Cometh Up as a Flower, Rhoda Broughton (1867)

Middlemarch, George Eliot (1871-72)

The Uninhabited House, Charlotte Riddell (1875)

She, H. Rider Haggard

The Egoist, George Meredith (1879)

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson (1886)

A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder, James De Mille (1888)

A Marriage Below Zero, Alan Dale (1889)

Iola Leroy, Frances Harper (1892)

The Sorceress and the Strand and Other Stories, L.T. Meade (1893-1910)

A Sunless Heart, Edith Johnstone (1894)

The Three Imposters, Arthur Machine (1895)

The Library Window, Margaret Oliphant (1896)

The Island of Doctor Moreau, H.G. Wells (1896)

Of One Blood, Pauline Hopkins (1902-1903)

The Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, Ignatius Sancho, undated

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delltblog · 10 months

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PHOTO RESEARCHER

A Photo Researcher is not a common career. In fact, I was unable to find a listing under the Occupational Outlook Handbook to get a job description and other details like was able to for the Private Investigator. I was, however, able to find a Linkedin blog post by an actual Photo Researcher, Nicole Demella. Other titles are Picture Researcher, Media Researcher, and Visual Researcher, all of which are not found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook either. (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-does-photo-researcher-do-exactly-nicole-dimella/)

According to Nicole, is a "professional who is asked to locate and/or obtain permission to use relevant images for a piece of media." Her job scope consists of researching illustrations, artwork, video footage, or mixed media or locating and licensing images for books, magazines, TV, advertisements, and more. A successful photo researcher can locate and obtain permission for the use of images for as low a cost as possible.

I found a job posting by Dotash Meredith, America's largest digital and print publisher based in New York, and this is how they describe the job function for the Photo Researcher (for PEOPLE magazine) they are looking for (https://meredith.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/EXT/job/New-York--NY-225-Liberty/Photo-Researcher_JR11192):

75% Photo research for weekly PEOPLE print magazines

15% Photo research and tooling of images for PEOPLE website

5% Invoicing and billing for images used in their stories they research

5% Digital asset management and coordination

Must have a bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent training/experience and 1-2 years of related experience. The pay rate is between $22-$28 per hour.

Some of the specific knowledge and skills they are looking for are general knowledge of stock photos and paparazzi agencies, fluent in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Bridge, interest and knowledge of celebrities, and bonus if they are Royals and must be a strong visual aesthetic and conceptual thinker.

DATABASES

A photo researcher has a vast amount of resources to use to locate images. Just a simple Google image search could pull up hundreds of images that need to be found. However, trying to obtain licensing and permission would take more effort as the photo researcher must contact the owner and negotiate the right to use the image.

ARTSTOR (similar to JSTOR) I found we have access to via UMA (https://library-artstor-org.wv-o-ursus-proxy05.ursus.maine.edu/#/). You access art and multimedia from the Artstor digital library, institutional collections, and public collections. All images contain the owner's information. They have about 300 collections containing over two million images. Artstor supports all study disciplines such as anthropology, archaeology, and modern history. I would be a great resource for a photo researcher who is hired by a book author or publisher writing a non-fiction book and needs images to include in the print, but probably will not be helpful to the photo researcher who will be hired by PEOPLE magazine. It is important to know that ARTSTOR will be moving to JSTOR as of 08/01/2024.

THE GETTY RESEARCH INSITITUTE (https://www.getty.edu/research/tools/photo/guide.html) has a database containing a photo archive with two million photographs of photographic reproduction of Western art, architecture, and decorative arts. You can also find notable works and collections and major collections in topics such as architecture and design, video and performance, and emblem collections.

WORLD PRESS PHOTO (https://www.worldpressphoto.org/) promotes freedom of expression and freedom of the press and showcases a database filled with photography submitted by individuals that relate to the most pressing issues facing the world. They even have a photo contest (https://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photocontest/2023/winners) and flagship exhibitions.

SHUTTERSTOCK is a database with a VAST amount of photo topics you are looking for. Most of their images have a cost, but they also feature royalty-free images that you can download for free and it provides information about the photographer. Shutterstock seems to be an image database where photographers/contributors submit their work for payment and Shutterstock receives the rights to sell their images. In terms of photo researchers, they would work directly with Shutterstock to get licensing and permission for the images.

REAL-LIFE PHOTO RESEARCHERS

Besides Nicole Demella which I mentioned in the beginning finding her Linkedin Blog, I have a hard time finding other actual photo researchers. I decided to look back in Linkedin to find other photo researchers and unfortunately, I was able to get a list but did not have access to their profiles.

Here's a YouTube short of supposedly a photo researcher. There's really no background and context of this person so I am not sure where she works and exactly her scope of work.

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sirprincess192 · 1 year

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Her knuckles became white as she gripped the handle of the train. Her short, dusty brown hair flew behind her as if it was tugged on by invisible hands. Behind her was a policeman in a small car trying to outrun the speeding train. She was safe. If only she had time to plot her escape it wouldn’t have been such a close call. a yell from inside the train broke the deafening silence. “Odelle! what the hell are you doin?” as the sliding door of the train opened, a wall of cold air from inside the train smacked her in the face. A man beckoned her to follow him inside. Reluctantly, Odelle entered. the train car was silent. empty. the same man was sitting on a bench at the far end of the carriage. his face was twisted in a frown, as if he was trying to lift a building with his mind. Odelle inspected his clothing, which was almost the polar opposite to what she was wearing. the man was dressed up in a smart looking suit, like he had a business meeting to attend. his hair was tied up in a tight bun, though a few strands had freed themselves. Odelle on the other hand, wore a pair of black ripped jeans with black combat boots. she had a striped shirt and a simple chain around her neck. her glasses were round and bent as she had broken them many times. her hair was unkept and messy, and it seemed as if a bird had mistaken it for its nest.

“nice of you to open the door, Colt” Odelle mumbled, hoping he wouldn’t hear. “what did you do this time?” he inquired, beckoning her to sit with him. Odelle opened her bag and carefully lifted a small package out one of the many pockets inside before moving to the seat across from

him. “it was for you” she admitted, before passing it to him. “i thought you would like it” the small package was wrapped in brown paper and tied with thin twine. “i didn’t really have time to wrap it properly, i’m sorry.” Colt accepted the gift after a moment of confusion. He carefully ripped open the delicate wrapping. inside was a pendant with a beautiful blue lapis stone in the middle, suspended by a silver chain. “i-it’s lovely,” he stuttered, as he gently lifted the necklace off of the paper. “but why did you have to steal it?” the look of annoyance drained from Odelle’s face and was replaced by embarrassment. “i missed your birthday and i wanted to make it up to you but i didn’t have the money. when you saw it while we were in the store you mentioned how pretty it was.” Colts cold expression melted. “i didn’t tell you to steal it for me though. Did you even think of where you were going to go afterwards?” Odelles face went bright red. she knew that she hadn’t planned this far, but she realised she didn’t have anywhere else to go. “you can stay with me” He suggested. “you don’t have anywhere else to go, do you?” Odelle shook her head. “well we should get off the train soon before anyone recognises you. Odelle snatched her hoodie out of her bag and pulled it over her head.

The days that followed seemed quite boring compared to what had happened. Colt and Odelle spent the next week at home, to be sure that no-one suspected them. The neighbours thought it strange that Colt, a 19 year old, suddenly had a 16 year old child in his home. But their background was much more complex than that, both Colt and Odelle were orphans. they were taken to the same orphanage and grew up together. Odelle was the rebellious type, always stealing bits and peices from the workers. once she stole four books from the public library. She read them, of course but they had never gone back to their places. Each book was quite different from the others, with ‘How the universe works’ by Sara bees, ‘how to escape the worst’ by Jerome Sails, ‘wittling for weebs’ by Erin Kara, and ‘plants and their medicinal properties’ by Meredith eavesbury. she had been gifted her glasses as hand-me-downs from Colt as she would spend hours of the day squinting at books because the words were too blurry. Once she got the glasses, she spent weeks on end reading and plotting her next crime. Colt was quite the opposite, quiet and reserved, though liked books twice as much as Odelle. He was named “the bookworm” by the teachers, which was an educated summary as to who he was. He was always polite to the caretakers but they were worried about him, as his only friend was Odelle. Most of the kids bullied Colt, but Odelle was ready for their face to run into her fist. Colt had left the orphanage over a year ago, as he was never adopted and Odelle was always trying to escape.

the next week to follow was quite uneventful. Odelle stayed at home while colt went to work. He was a bookstore worker, but he didn’t have many customers. he was able to live comfortably though, even with a sixteen year old in the house. Odelle noted it weird that on the train, Colt was dressed so formally. he wore only a plain shirt, a loose brown sweater, and jeans to work. Odelle had to wear Colts old clothes now, until they were able to go shopping.

It was a Monday, Odelle had finally settled into Colts home, and had her own clothes. she still took a shirt or a jacket out of Colts drawer every now and then, but usually wore her own clothes. Both Colt and Odelle had finished their breakfast and were cleaning. A sudden knock on the door echoed through the house “I’ll get it” Odelle mumbled, as she dried her hands and walked to the door. she swung open the door and saw a someone who was around her age, but dressed as if they were from 1970. They wore a dull orange sweater, with a short red skirt. They had plain converse shoes and pale yellow socks. Their dark brunette hair was cut short and they had thick framed glasses that covers her eyebrows. “Oh my gosh it worked,” the strange person seemed familiar to Odelle, but she couldn’t quite place why. “you’re Odelle right?”

“uh, yes that’s me” Odelle thought maybe she’d seen the girl walking by her house, but it was hard to tell.

“I’m Alex. you might not know me but you are my favourite book character and i want to change your story.” It clicked. Alex was from Odelle’s favourite book. “who’s at the door?” yelled colt, as he walked to the door. “wait, are you?” Colt also seemed to recognise Alex, but he had been quicker to notice. “Alex, that’s me. i’ve come from a different world to come and change your story. I do like the way you survived but there were too many people to die.” “die?” Odelle exclaimed. “oh, right you don’t know the end yet” Alex realised. “but you’re from a book, aren’t you” Colt stepped back, confused. “me? from a book? i don’t believe that” Alex seemed to be just as confused as him. Colt ran inside and came back what seemed to be for less than a second. “yes your from a book, see?” the gold letters on the front shone in the sunlight ‘Gum Nut Treehouse Stories’ “No, this cat be right” Alex shook her head and pulled out a similar looking book, but the title read ‘the heist’

#books #narrative #fantasy

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stephen-barry · 1 year

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The GOP passed a budget in MO that will not fund public libraries because “librarians are suing over their First Amendment Rights…” (Peter Meredith, D - MO)

A Fascist Republican Party is ushering in a post Democracy America.

#FreshStrong

#FascistGOP

https://t.co/cXTrm1pDwS

(https://twitter.com/ResisterSis20/status/1643924922442424322?t=JqGyPWtuX_s0XSNUdWuIug&s=03)

https://crooksandliars.com/2023/04/missouri-house-voted-defund-all-public

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phantomtutor · 1 year

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Write a 1,200- to 1,400-word paper in which you analyze late adulthood (age 65+) and the death of an individual as a culmination of the life span developmental process. Include a minimum of three research journal articles. Utilize the UOPX library or the UOPX PSY 280 Week 5 additional readings). Title Page Introduction paragraph (approx 75 words) Content Paragraph 1. Examine ageism and stereotypes associated with late adulthood. (approx. 300 words) Ch. 14, p. 877 – 878 discusses ageism and stereotypes. Ch. 14, p. 879-882 discusses physical health, ageism, stereotypes. Content Paragraph 2. Evaluate how individuals can promote health and wellness into late adulthood and mitigate the negative effects of aging. (approx. 300 words) Cite with 1 research journal article (minimum). Small, G. W., Silverman, D. H. S., Siddarth, P., Ercoli, L. M., & al, e. (2006). Effects of a 14-day healthy longevity lifestyle program on cognition and brain function. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 14(6), 538-45 Dartigues, J. F., Helmer, C., Péres, K., Cowppli-Bony, P., Auriacombe, S., & Orgogozo, J. M. (2008). EARLY PREVENTION AT PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 12(1), 84S-5S Ch. 14, p. 879-882 discusses physical health, ageism, stereotypes. Ch. 14, pp. 871 – 877 discusses aging, health, genes Content Paragraph 3. Analyze the importance of relationships and social interactions as an individual nears end of life. (approx 300 words) Cite with 1 research journal article (minimum). Rodin, G., & Zimmermann, C. (2008). Psychoanalytic reflections on mortality: A reconsideration. Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry, 36(1), 181-196 Jones, C. J., & Meredith, W. (2000). Developmental paths of psychological health from early adolescence to later adulthood. Psychology and Aging, 15(2), 351-360 Ch. 15, pp. 956- 964 discusses friends and relatives long-term partnerships, relationships, friendships Content Paragraph 4. Identify cultural and personal attitudes about death and dignity in late adulthood. (approx 300 words) Cite with 1 research journal article (minimum). Davis, L. J. (2006). Life, death, and biocultural literacy. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 52(18), B9-B10 Lang, F. R., Baltes, P. B., & Wagner, G. G. (2007). Desired lifetime and end-of-life desires across adulthood from 20 to 90: A dual-source information model. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B : Psychological sciences and social sciences, 62B(5), P268 Epilogue pp. 1004-1022 Conclusion paragraph (approx 75 words) Reference Page (3 peer-reviewed sources minimum + textbook if you use it) Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.use quoted passages from the textbook or web articles. Write everything in own original words. ORDER THIS PAPER NOW. 100% CUSTOM PAPER CategoriesAPA 6th edition, English Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Post navigation Previous PostPrevious Ethical and Policy Factors in Care CoordinationNext PostNext SKATEBOARD PROJECT

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meredithlibrary · 3 years

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Although the Book Sale won't begin again until our renovation is complete, you can still support your library. Take advantage of The Little Free Library in the mean-time, where you can take a book & leave a book. The Meredith Library has three Little Free Libraries located around town (Waukewan Beach, Leavitt Park Beach, & one in our new parking lot in front of our new addition, located on High Street). Thank you to the Friends of the Library for maintaining these great resources!

#little free library #meredith public library

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bucksfucks · 3 years

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𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭

summary || johnny storm was the cocky, loveable, sigma phi frat president. his hobbies include parties, football, and getting on each of your nerves. it’s no wonder you fight back with your smart mouth.

pairing || johnny storm x reader

word count || 3,007 words

warnings || drinking, frat party, teasing, semi-public sex, reader is insecure, praise kink, choking kink, fingering, unprotected sex, lots of banter between johnny and reader, kind of an angsty ending? idk how that happened — 18+ ONLY//MINORS DNI

notes || idk man johnny just gets me going

Saturday mornings were your favourite; you got to wake up with the sun and grab a cup of coffee from your local café before opening up the campus library where you would shelf books and help students find theirs.

To you, it was utter bliss.

There was something peaceful about the aura that surrounded the library, cozy and calm despite the students sat at desks for hours cramming and numbing their minds with useless information.

You were in the same boat, though, using your time to meet deadlines, finish essay’s all while cram for midterms and exams.

The quiet, peaceful morning was interrupted by hollering and cheering bursting through the door as you snapped your head in the direction of the noise.

Johnny Storm.

You rolled your eyes, “hey!” You nearly had to yell to get his attention as he stopped in his tracks, looking you up at down as he licked his lips.

“Keep it down, Storm,” you warned him, pointing an accusatory finger at him as he scoffed and strutted his way over to you.

“I’ll try my besy, baby, but you know me,” he quirked an eyebrow, “I like ‘em loud.”

Once again your morning was ruined by one of Johnny’s gross jokes, you just shook your head as you turned on your heels, “that’s gross.” You groaned, hearing Johnny follow you around the counter.

“I can prove it to you, if you’d like.” God, he was cocky. You deadpanned at him, emotionless as you tried your best to ignore the ache that was forming between your thighs.

“No, thanks, I’ll stick to my vibrator.” A sea of ooo’s erupted from behind Johnny’s back, his fellow fratbro’s high-fiving each other at your comment.

You felt a sense of pride at the reaction, but Johnny didn’t seem to be too fazed as he leaned over the counter and closer to you. He didn’t smell like he should, you were expecting alcohol and cheap cologne.

Instead, you were met with a clean, deep oaky scent that left you with subtle butterflies in your tummy.

“The offer still stands, baby.” He winks, pushing away from the counter before walking deeper into the library as you were left with the thought of Johnny...and you.

“Where are you headed tonight?” You ask as your roommate, Meredith as you put the kettle on. She gives you a devilish look as she stops in the kitchen with a towel wrapped tightly around her body.

“I’m going to Storm’s party!” She’s elated, happy as can be as you look at her shocked and surprised.

In fairness, she did have the biggest crush on him, ever since he was in her political sciences class he’s all she could think about.

She was a sweet girl, but she followed him and his friends around like a lost puppy.

“You should come!” She squeals from her room as she begins picking out an outfit. You just bark out a laugh, pouring yourself a cup of tea as you look at your pyjama clad-self.

“No thanks, Mere, I think I’m gonna catch up on some homework!” You tell back, adding a single sugar to your cup before grabbing the hot mug and carefully walking it into your room.

She pops into your room, “oh c’mon, you’ve been single for like,” she pauses, giving herself a moment to think, “almost three years.”

You groan at the reminder, but you weren’t looking for a relationship. School and work kept you busy and any guy that showed interest was well...not good enough.

“I don’t think I’m gonna find love at a frat party,” you chuckle as she opens your closet, “can I wear this?” She asks, holding out a simple black tank top.

You chuckle, “‘course.”

She gives you a smile, racing into her room to try her outfit on.

“You say that now, but what if you meet a really great guy?” She asks and you have to bite your tongue.

“Again, I don’t think I will at a frat party, let alone Storm’s party.” You reiterate as you hear her whine at you, “please? Just this one time and then I won’t ever ask you to go out with me ever again.”

You have to stop for a minute. Meredith has a wild side, a crazy one where you often have to rescue her at three in the morning.

“If I go to this party do you promise me that I won’t have to go out with you to another?” You ask as she nods her head in excitement.

You can’t believe you’re doing this, you can’t believe you’re changing out of your sweatpants and oversized shirt for a pair of jeans and your one going out top just for Johnny Storm.

It’s a sweaty mess of bodies, mashed against each other; some making out, some grinding, and some just outright pressed against the wall doing God knows what.

Meredith was in her happy place, grabbing a drink as you declined yours, keeping an eye out for Johnny so you could easily escape his gaze.

Another body bumped into you, causing you to lose your balance for a moment as whoever it was, profusely apologized in their drunken stupor as you were caught by someone else.

You were quick to turn around, curious about who it was when your face dropped when you were met with none other than Johnny himself.

“You’re welcome for saving you, baby.” He smirked, oozing confidence as you pushed your body upright and smoothed down your shirt.

“You were just in the right place at the right time, don’t get too cocky.” You fought back as Johnny quirked an intrigued eyebrow at you.

This man was insufferable, truly, but why did he have to look so good doing it.

“I don’t know, I think the stars aligned for us.” He was pushing your buttons, leaning into you so he had to shout less over the cheering and loud music in the background.

“In your dreams, Johnny.” You were trying to remain as collected as possible, but it was so tight in the frat house that your chest was basically pressed against his.

He smelled faintly of tequila, but the same woodsy, burnt aroma of oak overtook your senses as it imprinted itself into your memory; signalling your brain that this is what Johnny smelt like.

“You come alone?” Was this his attempt at a shitty pick-up line? You shake your head before you point to Meredith, “I came with my friend.”

His eyes scanned the room, trying to identify the figure you were pointing to before he nodded his head, “she’s cute.”

Oh now he was trying to get under your skin.

“Yeah and totally obsessed with you, go get her tiger.” You bit sarcastically back at him as he licked his bottom lip.

“Maybe I will,” he aggravated you to no end. “Just don’t want my favourite girl gettin’ jealous.” He winked, cocking his head as he looked at you, his favourite girl.

You had to shake him off, shake the feeling of butterflies out of your system as you slowly felt yourself falling for the famous Johnny charm.

“Please, I’d never get in the way of your next sexual conquest.” You felt yourself grow jealous as you saw the way other girls were looking at you and Johnny.

He opened his mouth to say something, but instead, you squeezed your way under his arm and escaped outside to where there was fresh air and the music was no longer blaring in your ears.

You hated what Johnny was doing to you, hated how affected by him you were. You were certain this was nothing more than one big joke, he could get anyone, so why you?

Regardless, you took a deep breath and endured the rest of the party making sure to keep an eye on Meredith, helping her into the cab at the end of the night right before you saw Johnny disappear upstairs into his bedroom with someone far prettier than you.

The air grew colder as the semester continued to drone one, Storm’s party a mere memory of last week as you slowly watched the sun set over the horizon and the library slowly empty.

It was finally time to close, your Friday night just beginning as you made your way to the front door to lock it, first looking for the set of keys you’d been given.

You heard the door open, groaning to yourself as it was literally three minutes to closing.

“I’m sorry, but we’re actually clo-”

You didn’t have to finish your sentence when you saw who it was that waltzed through the door and was now approaching the desk you were at with a cocky grin.

“Thought I’d find you here.” Johnny smirked as you rolled your eyes and walked past him to lock the front door.

“What do you want?” You asked, slowly feeling the way your heart began beating faster.

You watched him hop up onto the desk, legs nearly reaching the floor as he leaned forward on his arms.

“Got any plans for tonight?” He asked, watching you as you fiddled with the various keys in your hand.

“Are you asking me out on a date?” You blurted out, annoyed with the way he kept you on his long string.

“That’s exactly what I’m doing.” He didn’t hesitate as he smirked, gauging your reaction.

You laughed, shaking your head as you made your way behind the desk to pack the tote bag you carried with you.

“And why would Johnny Storm be interested in me?” You chuckled, avoiding eye contact with him so he wouldn’t see the way your pupils were surely blown.

He hopped down from the front ledge, landing gracefully as he swung his arms into place over his chest before leaning against the desk and placing his hand over yours to stop you from packing up.

“Because I haven’t stopped thinking of you,” his hand was large and warm against yours, causing your breath to hitch in your throat before his index finger hooked under your chin.

“But honestly,” his voice was a low whisper, “I’m not sure if I should tell you what I’ve been thinking of.”

You shudder, abandoning the pile of textbooks and notebooks on the table, opting to take a deep breath and focus on Johnny.

“Why not?” Your voice was meek as you asked your question.

He leaned into you, his eyes holding a fire behind them, “because they’re very inappropriate, I haven’t been able to get you off of my mind for weeks now.”

His confessions causes you to swallow thickly, “and now I want to do something about these thoughts.”

There’s a spark between you and him when he gently presses his lips to yours, soft and sweet as they mesh with each other as if you’ve known each other for years.

Johnny clears the desk with one swipe, “Johnny!” You gasp, “I’ll clean it up, I promise.” He breathes, lifting you onto the desk, “but right now, you’re the only thing I care about.”

He doesn’t give you a chance to reply before his lips are back on yours, holding your hips tightly as he pours out how he feels with actions instead of words.

You feel hot, skin starting to prickle with sweat as Johnny consumes you with his fiery touches.

“Lights,” he suddenly mumbles, “can you turn them off?” He asks and you nod your head, struggling to catch your breath as you hop off the desk and quickly slam your hand against the light switches.

The library is plunged into total darkness, late night sky not helping to illuminate anything as you stumble into Johnny.

“I can’t see anything,” you whisper before he snaps his fingers, a small flame licking his fingers.

“Better?” He asks with a smirk as you roll your eyes playfully. This was nothing but another one of Johnny’s plan to show off.

“You’re a human match stick, anything else you wanna show me,” you chide as you’re plunged back into darkness as he grabs your hand to pull you in-between the stacks of books.

“Oh, there’s a lot I wanna show you, sweetheart,” he murmurs against your lips before you’re being pressed against the shelves.

You gasp, hissing lightly when a particularly hard cover digs under your ribs, but the feeling of Johnny’s lips on your neck pulls a moan from you.

“Been dyin’ to know what you would sound like moanin’ my name.” You can hear the smugness in his voice, but you don’t care because oh boy do his lips feel good.

“And now we have the whole library to ourselves,” he purrs, smirking as he comes face to face with you, “can scream as loud as you want, baby.”

He lodges his thigh between your legs, fingers digging into your skin as you gasp out a strangled moan at the feeling of the friction against your core.

“Are you a virgin, baby?” He hums his question lowly, voice never faltering as he tilts your chin up before you shake your head, “no.”

He hums, “no ‘course you aren’t, you’re not as sweet as you look, are you?” He teases, fiery fingers slowly travelling under your shirt and squeezing your waist.

You whimper at his words, feeling yourself drenched as you take your own lip between your teeth.

The buttons of your shirt are seared off, literally, as your shirt falls to floor before you can even register what’s happening.

Johnny smirks, looking proud of the accomplishment before your tits are in his hands, nipples being squeezed between his thumb and index finger.

“I don’t normally like to rush this part,” he grips at your pants, “but baby, I don’t think I can wait.”

They’re torn from your body, a shiver rolling down your back at the cool air hitting your skin before you’re clawing at his shirt until it’s on the gross, library floor.

Neither of seem to care, you’re occupied with far more important things.

Your hands roam his chest, running through his chest hair before you’re clasping your hands behind his neck and smirking.

“So,” your voice is a hushed whisper. “Are you gonna fuck me or just spend the entire night staring?”

Your tease makes his cock jump against your hip, “why can’t I do both?” He whispers, belt landing on the floor with his jeans until your scantily clad bodies are pressed against each other.

“Because it’s one hell of a view, babe.” He purrs, grabbing a handful of your ass as he squeezes the supple flesh causing you to moan.

“But if you’re gettin’ desperate for me cock,” his fingers move your panties to the side before they’re swiping through your folds.

“Who am I to deny you that?” Your head falls back against the shelf as he slowly circles your clit teasingly.

You feel like putty in his hands, maybe you’ll regret it in the morning, but you don’t seem to care at the moment.

“And you’re already so wet for me like a good girl,” he hums in your ear, biting down on your shoulder as you feel his cock press against your entrance.

He teases you, collecting your slick on his head before he’s slowly pushing into you.

Your one foot is planted on the ground, the other anchored around his slim waist as he slowly stretches you out.

“Fuck, can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner,” he pants, fully seated in you as he moves a strand of hair away from your face.

“What a shame,” you breathe, chuckling weakly, “let’s see if you can last more than thirty seconds.”

You’re egging him on, watching the way his jaw clenches before he’s roughly fucking you against the bookshelves.

“Next time I should fuck your smart mouth first, huh?” He growls, clasping a hand around your neck as you let yourself enjoy the way his cock disappears deep inside of you.

“Guess I’ll just add that to our list,” his breath is hot against your ear as he sloppily thrusts into you, a book falling off the shelf and onto the floor with a loud thud.

You’re past the point of being able to retaliate, the feeling of him brushing your sweet spot makes your toes curl as you sink your nails into his biceps.

“What? My cock too good it’s makin’ you forget how to speak?” He doesn’t stop his relentless teasing, pushing you closer and closer to your peak.

“Gotta say, I like hearin’ those pretty moans of yours a lot more,” he grunts, holding your body close to him as the sound slapping skin bounces off the walls.

Your back arches, high-pitched moan leaving your lips before you can warn him of the white hot pleasure that consumes you. It leaves you shaking, shuddering, and barely able to stand as your name leaves Johnny’s lips.

The next few moments are quite, you wonder if he’s regretting everything that’s happened; but you sure as hell haven’t.

“You okay?” His concern surprises you, nodding your head as you give him a small smile, “yeah, you?”

He chuckles weakly, “I’m fuckin’ great.”

You’re reminded of the cocky, fun-loving Johnny as you both re-dress yourself and you make a note to find the nearest washroom as soon as possible.

“So,” he’s tightening his belt, “any plans tonight?” He asks the same question as he did when he first walked in.

You shrug your shoulders, “what do you have in mind, Storm?” You ask with a smile as he steps closer to you, “oh you have no idea, baby.”

The library is left in a fit of giggles as Johnny pulls you by the hand all the way back to his house, the same one that was littered in red solo cups and empty beer bottles and maybe you think he can be your college days mistake.

At least you’ll have fun, a broken heart heals, but memories are forever.

#johnny storm smut #johnny storm x reader #johnny storm x reader smut #johnny storm fic #johnny storm fanfic #johnny storm fanfiction #johnny storm headcanon #johnny storm headcanons #johnny storm oneshot #johnny storm one shot #johnny storm blurb #johnny storm drabble #bucksfucks writes — [♡] ;

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cryoverkiltmilk · 2 years

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LGBTQ+ Books Quietly Pulled From Washington State Middle School

Kelly Jensen Jan 27, 2022

In what reads as a story we’re seeing frequently across the country, a school principal in Kent, Washington, has removed a series of books from Cedar Heights Middle School’s library in anticipation of potential publicity for those materials being made available to students. This “silent” or “quiet” or “soft” censorship has played out from Pennsylvania to Florida, Wisconsin to Washington, and because it’s so rarely reported, less attention has been shined on these stories than those where protestors show up to school board meetings.

Gavin Downing, librarian at Cedar Heights, chose to expand the library’s LGBTQ+ resources over the course of the school year, in alignments with the district’s policy on supplemental material. Policy 2020P notes that supplemental materials are selected based on a number of factors, including that they “provide non-stereotypical presentation of diverse racial, ethnic, gender and ability groups.” Items purchased for the library must align with this policy, as well as withstand the standards of decency in their depictions of sex and obscenities, guided by professional reviews.

All materials purchased for the library are guided by the same procedures for formal challenge as those for curriculum, as outlined in the above-linked Policy 2020P. Library materials, while they do sometimes supplement the curriculum, are not supplemental material. They’re choice options.

Downing, upon researching appropriate titles to add to the collection serving 7th and 8th graders was LC Rosen’s Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts). The book garnered favorable reviews, and Downing vetted it carefully.

“On Thursday, December 9th, my principal entered the library, carrying the book, appearing quite upset,” explained Downing. “She said that a student had come to her and shared a section from the book and wanted to know why she allowed it at the school.”

When asked if the principal had read the book, she said no, and Downing said that he stood by his inclusion of the book in the library and the student and/or their parents may file a formal complaint, per policy. The principal agreed to read the book in full before proceeding.

The following day, she emailed Downing asking for a list of all “sexually explicit books” in the library. Hours later, she then instead asked for a meeting after school, and wanted Downing to bring all “sexually explicit” books with me.

“I brought union representation into this meeting, along with several books that had been accused of being sexually explicit over the years: Speak, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, The Hate U Give, a human biology book, a pregnancy book, Are You There God It’s Me Margaret, the Bible, and a couple others,” said Downing.

The meeting didn’t go well.

Principal Erika Hanson called Jack of Hearts “exposure” and believed it was inappropriate for 12-14 year olds to have access to in the school library.

“[S]he believed that our students shouldn’t see any relationships in their media with anything beyond hand-holding or maybe kissing. She felt my selection of “sexually explicit” books that I brought to the meeting indicated that I was not taking her seriously,” explained Downing.

The principal then mentioned “how bad the school would look” if a parent complained about it.

In addition, Hanson had another book at her desk from the library collection. It was if I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo. She said a student complained about that title as well. The well-reviewed book by and about a trans person was inappropriate because “in one scene, a guy puts his hand up a girl’s skirt.”

Downing brought up the process for book challenges per policy — and indeed, if it was a student complaining about the books, they would be able to proceed through the appropriate channels — but the principal claimed she had the power to override that policy. She could pull any book at any time.

Before winter break commenced, Downing reached out to union leadership expressing concern, and the leadership said they would investigate the situation because they, too, were uneasy. They reached out to the district’s Teaching and Learning Department and spoke with DeNelle West, who would investigate. West was concerned about these decisions.

But on January 6, after break and immediately after Downing submitted an order for more library books, an email from the principal landed in his inbox. It had four points:

She had the right to pull any book at any time. The same board policy giving her the authority to do that for classroom libraries extended to the school’s library more broadly. She would be pulling Jack of Hearts and If I Was Your Girl.

She demanded all “sexually explicit” material in the library be given to her by Friday, January 14, so she could remove them from the collection. She provided a definition for “sexually explicit material” from the Federal Trade Commission.

The principal would need to check every single book Downing wished to purchase for the collection so she could have final approval.

She would be creating a council at the school to give Downing direction on “age appropriate material.”

Downing forwarded the email to the union, who found one of West’s superiors decided to back the principal on her decision to remove the books.

The librarian continued to seek support, including reaching out to the state’s GLSEN chapter. One of Washington’s GLSEN board members, Joe Bento, also happens to be on the Kent School District’s Board of Directors. Despite his own involvement and advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ+ students, Bento’s concerns have also gone unaddressed.

Downing responded to the principal’s email Thursday, January 13, the day before her deadline. He noted that there were legal and ethical issues with her demands, and he requested a sit down discussion.

Instead of setting up an appointment, the next day the principal announced the department heads across the school were losing their purchasing power. Any and all purchases would now need to go through her directly.

“In addition, she started reaching out to other principals, telling them to start pulling books, and to watch out for specific titles,” said Downing.

“On Wednesday, when I arrived at work, I found my most recent book order was waiting for me. But the boxes were already opened, and one book was missing: All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson,” he added. “When I was in the office later that day, I spotted the book sitting on my vice principal’s desk. They never sent me any notice about taking the book.”

Downing was given permission by his union to reach out to media to discuss this censorship, given the channels through which he’s gone have all pointed back to Hanson as the authority on the decisions. No formal complaint about the books were ever filed. Instead, the principal took it upon herself to pull the books and to demand all books be approved by her before being added to the library.

This is in direct conflict with the district’s own collection development policy, as well as in conflict with their recently-announced plans to revolutionize school libraries district wide. Specifically, this censorship of queer voices is out of alignment with the third phase of their plan which seeks to “reinforce equity and excellence.”

The principal’s decision to implement policy related to supplemental materials puts to question the role of the school library more broadly. The collection offers materials that are supplemental, but that’s not the school library’s primary mission — this is especially clear in reading the goals for revolutionizing those facilities. The union maintains that library books are choice material and don’t fall under the supplemental materials jurisdiction of the school’s Instructional Materials Committee. When the union contacted Kent’s interim school superintendent, he was concerned the removal of the books would constitute a Civil Rights violation.

Christine Avery, the district’s Executive Director of Learning Improvement insists the library’s collections are supplemental materials and backs up Hanson’s decision. It’s likely this decision, as well as the agreement from Jim Schechl, the district’s other Executive Director of Learning Improvement, that led to conversations around the book removals stalling.

Both the union and Downing maintain that because materials in the library are not required reading, they are choice.

Downing’s story showcases what is happening broadly but in ways that many don’t ever hear about. Too often, whistleblowers face retaliation for speaking up (see: Brooky Parks at the High Plains Library District) or emerge from those who don’t have a level of authority to make policy change (see: the Golden Sower awards). In this story, Downing’s exhausted all of the resources available to him, and because of that, has had to reach out to media to amplify the story and put pressure on the school and board.

The school board met on Wednesday, January 26, before the publication of this article and before this story had the chance to reach a wide audience. But this is where writing letters and seeking further coverage if you’re in the area from local media will help bring this story and others like it to light.

The Kent School District School Board members are listed here, and each member’s email is included. Bento would make an excellent first reach, given his involvement with advocating on behalf of queer students. You can also reach out to the district’s interim superintendent, as well as other members of the school administrative team, including their team dedicated to issues of equity.

Downing reports other librarians in the district are bracing for the impact in their facilities as well from their principals.

#literary freedom #librarians #education #academia #books #book banning #censorship #libraries #literature #lgbtqia #LGBTQIA rights

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