Kobra

Alabama Library Association Public Library Division Midwinter Conference 2026 Presented by Homewood Public Library Register through January 8 Homewood Public Library 1721 Oxmoor Road Homewood, AL 35209 Thursday, January 29, 2026 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. * breakout sessions * lunch on your own or catered lunch options * afternoon exhibit hall

Registration is now open for the ALLA PLD Midwinter Conference! All public library staff and stakeholders are welcome. Register by January 8, 2026 at alla.memberclicks.net/2026pldmidwi...

(If the lunch order form doesn't work while you're registering, try form.jotform.com/252963982041...)

#MEAction Store | Official Merchandise | Bonfire #MEAction is igniting a global revolution in ME care. Our movement fights for recognition, education, and research. . At #MEAction, we're building a global movement to...

Torn between the "low battery mode," "kicking ass and taking naps," "rest is best," and "I saved my spoons for this" designs for a new hoodie....

www.bonfire.com/store/meacti...

No Evidence Supports Using Graded Exercise for ME/CFS Studies examining the effects of activity-based interventions haven’t required post-exertional malaise as a core criterion for the now-termed ‘myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.’

A new analysis shows that no evidence exists for using graded exercise therapy for #MECFS - an issue that has come to the forefront again with #LongCovid research, reports @medscape.com.

Read the full Medscape article here: wb.md/4oWpDRk

"The boosting of artificial intelligence by big technology firms, big financial firms, and government agencies is not separate from book bans, educational censorship efforts, and the war on education, libraries, and government workers being pushed by groups like the Heritage Foundation...."

“One thing that I try to make clear any time I talk about book bans is that it’s not about the books, it’s about deputizing bigots to do the ugly work of defunding all of our public institutions of learning,” Maggie Tokuda-Hall, a cofounder of Authors Against Book Bans, told me. “The current proliferation of AI that we see particularly in the library and education spaces would be possible at the speed and scale that is happening without the precedent of book bans leading into it. They are very comfortable bedfellows because once you have created a culture in which all expertise is denigrated and removed from the equation and considered nonessential, you create the circumstances in which AI can flourish.” Justin, a cohost of the podcast librarypunk, told me that the project of offloading cognitive capacity to AI continues apace: “Part of a fascist project to offload the work of thinking, especially the reflective kind of thinking that reading, study, and community engagement provide,” Justin said. “That kind of thinking cultivates empathy and challenges your assumptions. It's also something you have to practice. If we can offload that cognitive work, it's far too easy to become reflexive and hateful, while having a robot cheerleader telling you that you were right about everything all along.”

I talked to librarians, authors who have had their books banned, and groups that support them for this article. The glee with which schools, libraries, governments, and companies are replacing human workers and nuance with AI would not be possible w/o the successful war on schools and libraries

Dark blue textured background. Text reads: The US government shutdown continues. But what does that mean? What is a shutdown? How does it affect people? Check out our full plain language explainer on our website

Blue textured background with a grey box. Inside text reads: What does it mean that the government is shut down? The law says that every year, the government needs to pass a new budget. If a new budget doesn’t get passed, the government isn’t allowed to do most of its work. A government shutdown happens when Congress can’t agree on a new budget. The government stops working until Congress agrees on a new budget. Some U.S. government workers get “furloughed” during a shutdown. Being furloughed means that they don’t get paid. It means they cannot work.

Blue textured background. Text reads: How long will the shutdown last? There is no way to know how long a government shutdown will last. Ending the shutdown depends on Congress. They need to agree to pass a new budget. What does the shutdown mean for the benefits I use? There are many different kinds of benefit programs that might be effected by the shutdown. These include: Healthcare SSI/SSDI SNAP (food stamps) Housing programs Unemployment benefits Check out our full plain language explainer for details on how these programs may be impacted.

Blue textured background. Text reads: Where can I get help during the shutdown? Our plain language explainer has a list of resources that can help during the shutdown. Check out the explainer on our website and share it with others!

We wrote a resource to explain the government shutdown in plain language. We talk about what a shutdown is, and how it affects people. You can read the plain language resource here: autisticadvocacy.org/2025/10/plai...

Carson on stage at Church Street Comedy earlier this week ahead of Friday's show at Shenanigans with Ren Q Dawe (ticket link above)

Digital poster for Friday's show featuring a trans flag background which reads "Here to Pee: A Comedy Protest Tour - Trans Comedians Raising Funds to Fight Anti-Trans Bathroom Bills" (ticket link above)

Shameless transjester plug for Friday's Here to Pee with @renqcomedy.bsky.social THIS FRIDAY at Shenanigans in Huntsville 😂🏳️‍⚧️ queer comedy for a queer cause, benefiting The Knights and Orchids Society of Alabama & fighting trans hate in our state! 🎟️➡️ shenanigans.yapsody.com/event/index/...

genuinely beautiful that new york elected a muslim lefty mayor the same day that dick cheney died

My kingdom for a box of knock-off captain crunch and a bag of chocolate-covered anything

I LOVE MY LIBRARIAN AWARD 2026. Your librarian could win $5,000! ilovelibraries.org/love-my-librarian. Logos for Carnegie Corporation of New York, American Library Association, and the New York Public Library

Has a librarian made a difference in your life? Nominate them for the #ILoveMyLibrarian Award for a chance to win $5,000 and the honor of a lifetime. Nominations close Dec. 15!

Submit your nomination: https://bit.ly/3uVK4V0

Huntsville-Madison County Public Library has compiled an extensive guide to social services, ranging from food banks to utilities assistance to disability support and more, in Madison County: guides.hmcpl.org/socialservices.

Palestinian civil society reacts to the Trump-Netanyahu genocidal plan Nothing less than freedom, justice and self-determination!

Nothing less than freedom, justice and self-determination!

Palestinian civil society reacts to the Trump-Netanyahu genocidal plan with 5 fundamental points.

Read more ⬇️ loom.ly/KStXm2A

We need you to speak up for libraries and the trans community this week! Come meet us at the following locations to submit a public comment to our state library board (APLS) against transphobic code changes. We'll have postcards, talking points, and materials to help you write and submit your public comment at: The Diversity Center at Shenanigans Wed., 10/8, 9:30am-2pm Thurs., 10/9, 9:30am-2pm Lowe Mill 1st Floor by Poftà Bunà Sat. 10/11, 3-7pm Sun., 10 12, 11am-7pm Public comments accepted until 4:30pm on 10/14. Can't make it in person? Follow the QR code: bit.ly/4gub7gz

There's still time to write a public comment in opposition to the transphobic state public library code changes! More info at bit.ly/4gub7gz

A fight for our rights: Youth fighting book bans. A conversation with student leaders moderated by Banned Books Week youth honorary chair Iris Mogul. October 8, 2025, 3:00 p.m. CT. Register: bit.ly/YouthFightingBookBans

TOMORROW: Join #BannedBooksWeek youth honorary chair Iris Mogul & student advocates from around the country for a conversation about how young people can fight book bans! 10/8, 3pmCT

bit.ly/YouthFightingBookBans

#BannedBooksWeek #CensorshipIsSo1984

w/ @ncacensorship.bsky.social

BANNED BOOKS WEEK Oct. 5-11, 2025. Censorship is so 1984 - Read for Your Rights. ala.org/bbooks. American Library Association

Censorship is so 1984. Read for your rights.

Today kicks off #BannedBooksWeek, and this year's theme reminds us that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must defend our rights.

https://www.ala.org/bbooks.

I used to get such a surge of joy from seeing books about personal pronouns, 2 mommies/daddies, lgbtq+ pride, and what it means to be transgender in the kids section as I shelved nonfiction. Now I'm in mourning as the day we'll probably have to remove them draws ever closer.

“Rob, what exactly do you do at the library?” Well, I show awesome movies and remind people how much fun you can have going to movies. I also concoct cheap gimmicks for the movies I show. Tomorrow is Dana Cannon’s Moving Violations scratch off game. 27% accurate- if you drive a puppet stage.

FCC plans to kill new federal hotspot lending rule “one more way to limit access to information” SHLB Coalition, ALA, EdLiNC and the Homework Gap Coalition submitted a joint letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging the Commission to protect two vital programs that expand inter...

We call on the FCC to uphold its mandate to ensure fair and affordable access to telecommunications services for all Americans, and to recognize the critical role libraries and schools play in bridging the digital divide. Read our full statement: bit.ly/4njGwVp

Also gonna bump this for my mom~

The board is meeting TOMORROW, 9/24, at 4pm at the Downtown HSV branch. The more people who can show up and support the library, the better.

I'll take one of each please

Photo of George Takei, an Asian American man in a suit standing with folded arms and looking boldly at the camera. Credit: Christopher Appoldt

We are so excited to announce the #BannedBooksWeek honorary chair for 2025: legendary actor/author/activist GEORGE TAKEI! "Please stand with me in opposing censorship, so that we all can find ourselves — and each other — in books.”

bannedbooksweek.org/legendary-ac...

@georgetakei.bsky.social

Light blue and dark purple illustration of person with a megaphone and a speech bubble with a heart near the words "Put the Blame Where It Belongs". Underneath is a dark purple and white illustration of two people lifting up a potted plant together near the words "Offer to Help Them Call Us"

Pink and dark purple illustration of lips and a hand making a "shh" motion next to the words "Respect privacy". Underneath is a dark purple and white illustration of a heart with arms hugging itself near the words "Take care of yourself"

Purple slide with a pink illustration of a heart with arms hugging itself. The title says "Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive." Website and hotline numbers to the US and Canada listed towards bottom left.

(pt. 2)

Purple slide entitled "How You Can Support a Trans Friend in Crisis" with an illustration of a heart with hugging arms around itself in light pink.

Purple slide with a blue and dark purple illustration of an ear and a speech bubble next to word "Listen". Underneath is a dark purple and white illustration of a bell near the words "Don't Panic"

Light pink and dark purple illustration near the words "Harm Reduction". Underneath is a dark purple and white illustration of two people figures hugging near the words "Understand their Circumstances".

We’ve made you a step-by-step guide for supporting your trans loved one through a crisis. Remember: it’s better to show up imperfectly than not show up at all. (pt.1)

Senators propose bill to reinstate LGBTQ+ youth crisis lifeline option eliminated by Trump The 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act would direct HHS to dedicate funding toward reviving the program, which the Trump administration scrapped in July.

In a bipartisan effort to restore much needed care to youth, The 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act has been introduced in the US Senate. LGBTQ+ need and deserve dedicated mental health support. Call your US Senator and tell them to support this lifesaving bill! Read more ▶️
buff.ly/tQlij70

Alabama's state library board (APLS) is attempting to change the administrative code that determines public libraries' eligibility for public funding, placing transgender naterials for minors at risk. Link to take action or read on for more info: bit.ly/4gub7gz

Transphobia is okay, but trans acceptance is not? The proposed change deems "any material that promotes, encourages, or positively depicts transgender procedures, gender ideology, or the concept of more than two biological genders" as "inappropriate" for patrons under the age of 18.

The passage of this code change would require Alabama public libraries to remove all trans-positive materials from their youth collections or else forfeit state funding.

Want to do more? Sign up to speak at the public hearing in Montgomery on October 21, 2025, 10am. Email Vanessa Carr at vcarr@apls.state.al.us by 4:30pm October 14 to get on the list.

Alabama is targeting trans books, and we're teaming up with @altrac.works and @rainbowtrouble.bsky.social to fight back. We need YOU to send a letter to the APLS by Oct. 14 to OPPOSE these changes. Learn more and find our letter-writing resources, including printable postcards, at bit.ly/4gub7gz

Square graphic with black background showing 6 items for sale with the low power mode design. This design shows a battery with only one bar left and the text underneath "low power mode" #MEAction. Around the graphic clockwise from center: white mug, purple cap, orchid hoodie, gray tote, red tee, and teal zip-up hoodie. Text: Does your chronic illness have you in low power mode? Whether that is your 24/7 reality or only a level you visit, we have the perfect item for you!

Are you in low power mode? Is it your 24/7 reality or maybe just a mode you have to visit frequently? www.bonfire.com/store/meacti...

You are helping support our non-profit with each order! THANK YOU!

#pwME #spoonie #ChronicIllness #MECFS #LongCovid #MCAS #Fibro #POTS

Is Sunny the Baby of the Year? So Sweet And Smiley, She Truly Is A Ray Of Sunshine! Everywhere We Go, People Tell Us How Cute She Is And How She Makes Their Day.

As a palate-cleanser: I happen to know a really cute baby who's in the running for Baby of the Year. Am I using a burner FB account for that daily free vote? Yes, I am, and so can you :]

babyoftheyear.org/2025/sunny-d...

Whew. Just got my new Income-Dependent Repayment amount for my student loans. There goes all of my disposable income for the foreseeable future, especially if Trump discontinues Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

HMCPL Do Not Comply with Anti-Trans Mandate On July 16th, John Wahl, chair of the Alabama Public Library Service Board, and the Alabama Republican Party, sent a letter to library directors across the state advising them to “take immediate steps...

Don't forget to sign this petition to the Huntsville Madison County Library Board asking them to ignore the ridiculous demands of John Wahl, chair of the Alabama Public Library Service.

HMCPL Do Not Comply with Anti-Trans Mandate - Action Network
actionnetwork.org/petitions/hm...