Invisible Ink - Vol. 11
We are back and we missed you! We have had some rest, we are stoked that the days are getting longer, and we hope you have been taking care of yourselves. We have assessed our capacity and we’re excited to share some new projects in the works. Community care is something we have been thinking about a lot. A LOT. We were trying to sum up some words as a snappy newsletter introduction, but then we saw that Plant Kween, aka Christopher Griffin, summed it up for us on January 20th, MLK Day.
And on that garden theme, Austin Kleon shares a reading from his book Keep Going. We suggest you give it a listen.
Inky News
News that might be hard to hear, but we hope you choose to read:
Eagle City Council turns down Mayor Pike’s appointments to fill two Library Board vacancies (Jan 17, 2025)
Kootenai County library system approves adult-only room for books with mature content as 140 titles pulled from shelves for review (Jan. 19, 2025)
Due to the signing of that stinking library bill during Idaho’s last legislative session, some wonder if energy will be diverted from libraries and shifted towards Educational Savings Accounts. To keep up with that front, Idaho Ed News is a great source.
When reading library news, it seems to be really focused on the negative and reactionary. Maybe that’s what gets clicks? Do you have a positive news story that highlights the awesome work libraries do? Do you have a local news link we can share? Send us an email or tag us on twitter (not calling it the other name). We’ll share it out!
Glitter Ink
Thanks to these glittery community members showing the library or community love:
Glitter goes to Idaho Public Television for live-streaming sessions for us. Things move fast, so if you want to see agendas and watch it all happen live, bookmark this page!
Glitter goes to Boise State Radio for breaking down how bills become laws in Idaho.
Disinfo/Misinfo INK
Session is back and information is running RAMPANT and FAST so we wanted to share some resources to help navigate the lightning speed news cycle.
What do these words even mean?? The Institute for Science and Policy helps us break down the nuances of navigating information:
Misinformation: The false or misleading information that is not necessarily intentional. (credit: First Draft News)
Disinformation: The false or misleading information, intentionally created or strategically amplified to mislead for a purpose (e.g., political, financial, or social gain).
Malinformation: When genuine true information is shared to cause harm, often by moving information designed to stay private into the public sphere. (credit: Council of Europe)
Information Disorder: The broad societal challenges associated with misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.
SIFT Method: Stop, Investigate, Find (other coverage), Trace (the source)
The 'Sift' strategy: A four-step method for spotting misinformation
Scroll down to the octopus to download an Idaho zine on SIFT
Other sources:
Living Room Conversations has tools to help you start and navigate conversations
The folks over at Waging Nonviolence have put together “10 ways to be prepared and grounded now that Trump has won”
Sympathetic Ink
Session is here and it moves FAST. Take a moment right now and pause. Yes, you! Ok, now that you’re paused, take three deeeeeeep breaths. Onnnnnnnne. Twoooooooo. Threeeeeeeeee. Think about something you are looking forward to down the road. Think about the community you want to create. Take three more deep breaths while you think about how that future place feels, sounds, smells, looks, and tastes. Onnnnnnnne. Twoooooooo. Threeeeeeeeee. Are you smiling? Maybe just a little? Good! Hang onto those ideas as you go throughout the rest of your day.
ILA support
ILA has two online “stores” you can purchase from, and all proceeds go to support the non-profit organization. Right now this is especially important because it funds ILA’s lobbyist. Designs have been created by Idaho library workers and donated to ILA to raise funds.
ILA Bonfire - for shirts, sweaters, tote bags, and hats
ILA RedBubble - for notebooks, magnets, mugs, pillows, hats, tote bags, mouse pads, etc.