Shannon Cummings

So I was definitely late to the @wxpnfm.bsky.social party, but their Free at Noon series is an absolute delight.

Saw the Mountain Goats last week and can’t stop thinking about when I can go next

Does anyone else’s inner nerd heart soar when you request a book the #library doesn’t have and the librarian says to their colleague, “oooh, we should get this one. It looks good!”

Truly the gold star for adults

Recently joined the @chamberofconnection to do my part in rebuilding the trust and belonging our communities need. I've been energized by the conversations I've had to far and would be happy to share more. Join us :)

Trump administration eliminates grant designed to build back Philadelphia’s school libraries The news comes as Trump guts multiple federal agencies, including the Institute for Museum and Library Sciences, which had awarded Philadelphia schools the grant.

The federal government has officially cancelled a Philadelphia School District grant designed to help the system grow a national model for re-opening school libraries with certified school librarians.

“It matters how you spend your time.”

Spotted at Temple

Last night at the Governor’s Residence, we experienced an attack not just on our family, but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

This kind of violence has become far too common in our society, and it has to stop.

❤️ more of this, please

a gray, curly sheep-like creature stands over us and looks down at us. their ears stick out to either side, and they have a beautiful soft glow about them. it is very possible this sheep is actually a standard poodle.

Bah! We only rate dogs. This is a sheep. Please look up what a dog is, and only send us that. Thank you… 12/10 (IG: onathestandardpoodle)

So cool!

Exciting news from Pennsylvania, as the Family Care Act gets voted out of committee! Next stop: full vote in the PA House of Representatives. Huge thanks to everyone who has spoken out, shared their story, or called their leader to help get us to this exciting moment. #MomsRising #MomSky

The author Barry Lopez wrote: “We’re all searching for the boats we forget to build.”

... Maybe we need to build a bunch of little boats.... We have to continue to act on our understanding of what is right. We need to perform acts of compassion that are missing in the current nasty public sphere.

Philly group drumming up a beat to silence gun violence Positive Movement Drumline spreads a message of peace through its drill team in its mission to stop gun violence.

“Why do we do this? To bring smiles to the hearts of our neighbors and be role models to others” @whyy.org

The #DeptofEd primarily helps low income rural and urban schools and children with special needs and makes higher ed more accessible.

I taught in a Title 1 School, was raised by a Special Education teacher, and got multiple degrees using federal loans.

These programs matter. Via @usafacts.org

Open Streets will take over Rittenhouse Square every Sunday in April Seven blocks will be closed to traffic on April 6, April 13, April 20, and April 27 as pedestrian shoppers and performances take over stretches of Walnut and 18th streets.

One way to know that spring has sprung in Philly: The streets open — at least temporarily.

Pointing and thinking today…

Wisdom courtesy of the inimitable Ross Gay via @austinkleon.bsky.social

All I want to do is look at art made from household objects.

Luckily there are Adam Hillman and Helga Stentzel

(@witenry and @helga.stentzel on insta)

Need a distraction? Remarkably Bright Creatures is a delight. It has strong character building, a quirky perspective (an octopus narrator?!), and manages to be lighthearted and fun, while still navigating real life challenges. (Plus, it's a great audio book- the voice of Marcellus is perfect) 5/5

“In studies of work environments, people working in bland cubicles were 32% less productive than people working in environments with art, color, and plants.”

Ingrid Fetell Lee sharing joyful design wisdom on a dreary Wednesday afternoon

Menneskebiblioteket - the Start to 2025 I Didn’t Know I Needed. — Shannon P. Cummings This weekend I attended a Menneskebiblioteket , or a Human Library. While I decided to go on a whim, I literally can’t stop thinking about it – the openness, the community, the optimism. “The Hum...

"Mennonite. Chinese immigrant. Non-binary person. Total blindness and hearing deficit."

These and a dozen more human "books," generously shared their stories as part of a local HumanLibrary reminding me to "unjudge someone."

www.shannonpcummings.com/blog/mennesk...