“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Delighted to start a day with a walk to Lake Michigan with some Executive Board peeps and then celebrate together at the American Library Association Staff Recognition! #HappyMaking

My bartender made a drink last week with tequila, sweet corn liqueur, and mango pearls but had not yet named it. He gave me the honor. This is The Spaulding. #Iowa #LibraryBillOfRights

Libraries are on a mission to contribute to a greener future, and the most ambitious are committing to net-zero energy. 🔋🌳 americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/03/03/the…

Chicago wakes in April hush, Mist clings low where tulips blush. Lake Michigan is a silver sheet. Sidewalks echo quiet feet. Above, the el trains hum and drift. Sunrise paints each glassy lift. The city, slow and almost bright, Holds its breath in morning’s height.

These amazing people have been the best mentors, encouragers, and models of compassionate, dedicated leadership a person could ever have the blessing to know. Grateful for them. Humbled to know and love them. Honored to continued their American Library Association legacy into the future. 💜

The US District Court for the District of Columbia has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services. americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoo…

Grateful to get an office amble in while drafting my speech for the University of Iowa School on Library & Information Science 2025 Pinning Ceremony this morning. #TuesdayMotivation #LibraryLife #HappyMaking

9 years ago I met Dr. Hayden at American Library Association Midwinter in Atlanta. It was meaningful + momentous + inspirational to briefly talk with her & learn. I’m in Atlanta again touring libraries and hearing wonderful stories about her impact on our field and our nation everywhere I go.

UPDATE: Statement: "ALA Responds to 'Unlawful Dismissal' of Register Of Copyrights" infodocket.com/2025/05/11/tru… #libraries

“Iowa school districts should take note of this decision and revert any changes they have made to comply with these unconstitutional mandates from the state.” littlevillagemag.com/sf-496-dont-sa… #ialegis

New faces and places always fill me with a quiet delight. Waking up with my first #coffeeselfie on the trip and a tired, mild draft of a poem. #happymaking #travel ☕️

Thankful to Robert Newlen for his decades long dedication to public service & for lovely time together during such a busy & impactful season in his life to connect over our shared loves of literacy, learning, librarianship, & democracy. 💜 #librarylife #humbled #happymaking

Defendants Hasten to Comply, and Ask for a Stay, After Ruling in IMLS Case publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/in… via @publisherswkly

🍄🍄‍🟫Think I may have tripped upon some russula emetica along the way . . . 🍄‍🟫🍄 #mushroom #nature

Spent some time away quietly and lovingly. Heading home from a needful journey. As always, I solicit prayer and petition for travel mercies home. #travel #writing #poetry #love

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

“As a former children’s librarian, I can tell you firsthand about parents who cannot afford vacation during the summer,” Helmick said. “So, the public library and its summer reading program become that for them.” kcrg.com/2025/06/02/tho…