Portland (OR) friends, I’ve been contemplating organizing a “dinner & democracy series” where we get together and eat, discuss current events, and civic engagement opportunities.
For example we could make posters for an upcoming protest, share what actions we’ve taken that month, or identify opportunities for further engagement.
And it would be a dinner party because I love hosting dinner parties and that is a joy I refuse to give up.
Anyone interested?? If there’s traction on this comment, I’ll set up a google form to collect participant info and organize from there!
I love the library support! Another library-related task: find out if your library has an elected board. If they do, send them an email in support of diverse collections and programming.
Twin Cities friends - I'm going to take a cue from jenna marie, and see if there's interest in creating a dinner and democracy series in our area. I would love to start (or join) a group of people who gather and share resources, encourage civic engagement, discuss current events, or just enjoy food and support each other through all of this. Let me know if you're interested!
Wow! I love how many people are interested in this! here is the Google survey, so I can gather contact info: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
I’m interested!! I’ve been thinking for weeks about wanting to do something like this! Just haven’t had the guts/time to sit down and take the action and put myself out there! Thanks for being that person!! 😃
You're welcome! I did have some nerves before posting :) Here is the Google survey, so I can gather people's contact info: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
I would love to connect at least virtually - in hopes of one day connecting IRL in the twin cities! I’m newly a mom of 2 and trying to find my new groove but interested in connecting with like minded msp ppl!
Great, and thanks for the offer! I may take you up on that! Here is the google form ( but I think I sent it to you over DM too): https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
Wonderful! and I know, it's time to get in community with those who share our values. Please fill out the google survey, so I can add you to the contact list: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
I renewed my library card this week! It gets me so many benefits beyond books - I wish more people knew about all the things libraries offer our communities.
Libby is the best. I love my kindle even though I know it's amazon - it makes reading at night so much better. The paperwhite doesn't keep me up like a phone does.
I wouldn't buy a Kindle now (personally!), but I'm going to use my existing one until it no longer functions because yessss, it's so much better for reading at night in the dark and being able to keep the blue light turned off doesn't mess with my ability to fall asleep right after.
Monica have you thought of posting on NextDoor or even a letter to editor about all the cool stuff your library does? I’m sure they would appreciate the support and folks might find out about new resources.
I'm late to the Friday party but in California folks can check out a State Parks pass from the library too - and I believe you can get LinkedIn Learning access with your library card too.
Love this Friday roundup! A friend has started hosting write-your-reps get-togethers at her house for an hour on Saturday mornings. She puts on Bluey for the kids, and we write our reps in solidarity. I'm looking forward to going for the first time tomorrow.
Currently living in suburban (close to rural) red red Texas (Brandon Gill is our new rep, he’s a delight 🤢) All of this to say, my friends and I are starting a website/information portal/something to get people around here more informed and involved. We’ve had a lot of productive talks with MAGA or apathetic neighbors about vouchers and the devastation it’s going to cause for our local public schools. We are going to try and make it as non partisan as possible (but I did ask if I could shitpost about Mr. Gill 🤣). Anyway all of this to say it’s definitely inspired by your actionable items in Democracy in Retrograde! I love the dinner for democracy idea and might try to incorporate that as well. Thank you, Emily!
Madison Wisconsin here. I'm a guy usually, usually in Instagram I just keep my mouth shut and read to learn. Emily's book and posts and articles and substacks motivated me I'm more active especially locally last week I got 30 some people to call their representatives. If this was for women only I'll make my apologies and leave 🫣
I loved this and thank you so much for all the work you do. Tomorrow, my husband and I have a day date to go to our local indie bookstore and spend the gift card we got as a wedding present a year ago. And then we're going to our favorite local bakery to get a ton of baked goods that we're going to drop off to our main library branch and the one closest to us (which has been under serious fire from the Moms for Liberty). We want to give them the treats and find out what they need by way of support. Donations? Books? Supplies? People to do reading hours? I don't want to presume what their needs are; we want to give them what they actually need. And we're going to do that one Saturday a month. I tried to get on the board, but they continued with their MAGA and MAHA people. BUT we're getting a group together to keep applying and keep going to meetings.
This feels like something I would text my friends. I am low key obsessed with spreading the word about how we have been duped into believing our recycling is actually recycled (re: the NYTimes article). It turns out lobbying for systemic change is more important than cleaning out your peanut butter jar to put in the recycling.
Also go libraries! Ours is awesome. They even lend out things like kitchen appliances and cake molds.
I know the donation will vary but I found joining my local friends of the library group only cost $10. I know the 'only' isn't in reach for everyone but it is a price that many can afford. Our local friends group puts on a number of local events for our small town and sells pre-loved books at great prices!
We just got new library cards in an area we are temporarily staying in for a few months. It's a "welcome" card so we can still check out things without being permanent residents. If you're a nomad like us or want to join other libraries, you can also do that. I believe Broward county in Florida lets you join online for a fee too to help support them.
That is really nice!! There are a couple places that also just let people get cards regardless if you are a resident, I have one from MD. Because on libby you can have multiple cards (on my quest to have constant acess to all my Agatha Raisin books.)
Yes! So many DMV area libraries have reciprocity with other counties. I’m in Montgomery County, but can get library cards from Arlington, PG, etc. I plan to take a self care day sometimes soon and just drive around to other counties with reciprocity to collect more.
If anyone is a patient at Dana-Farber, you can get a Libby card through them too!! It's great because they often have popular books with a shorter waitlist than my community libraries.
There are a bunch of libraries across the country where you can join as a non-resident for a fee-anywhere from 25 to 75 I think. If you live in an area with limited access to a library or in an area that has gone wild on banning books, it's a great option to access digital content. As an avid Libby user, I've thought about joining one just so I can have access to more content.
Also a non-working librarian here. Another thing you can do it check out books that are available that you think might be at risk of being banned (even if you already have it at home). Circulation numbers matter!
Re: the ProPublica report - I work for Sepsis Alliance. If you’re interested in our advocacy work, please visit sepsis.org. We’ll be having a maternal sepsis webinar in May during Maternal Sepsis Week.
As a mom who wants health info but strongly rejects all the anti-science wellness stuff masquerading as legit info, thank you for that AMA link! Loving the is Friday round up format!
Portland (OR) friends, I’ve been contemplating organizing a “dinner & democracy series” where we get together and eat, discuss current events, and civic engagement opportunities.
For example we could make posters for an upcoming protest, share what actions we’ve taken that month, or identify opportunities for further engagement.
And it would be a dinner party because I love hosting dinner parties and that is a joy I refuse to give up.
Anyone interested?? If there’s traction on this comment, I’ll set up a google form to collect participant info and organize from there!
EDITED TO ADD THE LINK: https://forms.gle/mdwmkqWi3Yt2txky8
I’M SO EXCITED!!
HELLO I LOVE THIS.
Such a great idea!! Would totally join in if I was local!
Love this! I just signed up on the form.
Portland EYP fan all signed up! Thank you for leading on this Jenna!
Yes! Would love to join!
If anyone in Austin is interested in doing something like this, drop a comment!
This makes me so happy!!!
Here is the Google link to provide your information:
https://forms.gle/mdwmkqWi3Yt2txky8
I will give it a couple days and then start planning a kick-off event! 🎉🎉
Also interested!
Here’s the Google form link: https://forms.gle/mdwmkqWi3Yt2txky8
Yes please!!! Great idea!!!
Here’s the Google form link: https://forms.gle/mdwmkqWi3Yt2txky8
Another PDX dweller…I’m in!
Here’s the Google form link: https://forms.gle/mdwmkqWi3Yt2txky8
Ooh fellow EYP readers in Portland, would love to meet up!
Here’s the Google form link: https://forms.gle/mdwmkqWi3Yt2txky8
Fellow PDX friend here! I’m so onboard!
Here’s the Google form link: https://forms.gle/mdwmkqWi3Yt2txky8
Love this!
Here’s the Google form link: https://forms.gle/mdwmkqWi3Yt2txky8
So exciting! 🙌 Definitely interested.
Here’s the Google form link: https://forms.gle/mdwmkqWi3Yt2txky8
🙋♀️ Count me in! :)
Here’s the Google form link: https://forms.gle/mdwmkqWi3Yt2txky8
I love the library support! Another library-related task: find out if your library has an elected board. If they do, send them an email in support of diverse collections and programming.
yes! Everylibrary is the best library political org - sometimes you can find info there.
I went to my local library’s friends board meeting last month and book club this month because of you Emily!
Twin Cities friends - I'm going to take a cue from jenna marie, and see if there's interest in creating a dinner and democracy series in our area. I would love to start (or join) a group of people who gather and share resources, encourage civic engagement, discuss current events, or just enjoy food and support each other through all of this. Let me know if you're interested!
Wow! I love how many people are interested in this! here is the Google survey, so I can gather contact info: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
I’m interested!! I’ve been thinking for weeks about wanting to do something like this! Just haven’t had the guts/time to sit down and take the action and put myself out there! Thanks for being that person!! 😃
You're welcome! I did have some nerves before posting :) Here is the Google survey, so I can gather people's contact info: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
Can we share with others who may be interested but who aren’t here?
Yes! Feel free to share.
I would love to connect at least virtually - in hopes of one day connecting IRL in the twin cities! I’m newly a mom of 2 and trying to find my new groove but interested in connecting with like minded msp ppl!
Wonderful! I'm going to give it the weekend to see who else is interested, and I will be in touch early next week!
I'm gathering contact info through this Google survey: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
Hi!! Democracy & dinner in the Twin Cities sounds amazing! I’m in!
Yay! Please fill out the google survey, so I can add you to the contact list: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
Oh yes.
Yay! Please fill out the google survey, so I can add you to the contact list: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
I too would be interested! I’m in the north metro and would love to connect!
Wonderful! Please fill out the google survey, so I can add you to the contact list: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
Interested! (In SW Minneapolis.) Thanks for putting this out there!
Awesome! Please fill out the google survey, so I can add you to the contact list: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
We’re thick in the weeds of kid activities but sending support from the South metro! ♥️♥️
Oh I get that :)
I would be very interested! This sounds amazing!
Wonderful! Please fill out the google survey, so I can add you to the contact list: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
North of St. Paul and interested!
Great! Please fill out the google survey, so I can add you to the contact list: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
Interested! Also willing to help if you need it!
Great, and thanks for the offer! I may take you up on that! Here is the google form ( but I think I sent it to you over DM too): https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
I'm interested! Thanks for taking the initiative!
Awesome! Please fill out the google survey, so I can add you to the contact list: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
I’m very interested!! Would love to connect with likeminded people, and i live in St. Louis park! 🩷
Wonderful! and I know, it's time to get in community with those who share our values. Please fill out the google survey, so I can add you to the contact list: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
Definitely interested!
Great! Please fill out the google survey, so I can add you to the contact list: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
Interested!
Great! Please fill out the google survey, so I can add you to the contact list: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
Interested!
Interested!
Yay! Please fill out the google survey, so I can add you to the contact list: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
Awesome! Please fill out the google survey, so I can add you to the contact list: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
I'd be very interested in a twin cities dinner/ democracy meet up!
Great! Please fill out the google survey, so I can add you to the contact list: https://forms.gle/2fNvhSHZrHRD53n47
I renewed my library card this week! It gets me so many benefits beyond books - I wish more people knew about all the things libraries offer our communities.
Do you use Libby?! (or hoopla) i love libby so much.
Libby is the best. I love my kindle even though I know it's amazon - it makes reading at night so much better. The paperwhite doesn't keep me up like a phone does.
I wouldn't buy a Kindle now (personally!), but I'm going to use my existing one until it no longer functions because yessss, it's so much better for reading at night in the dark and being able to keep the blue light turned off doesn't mess with my ability to fall asleep right after.
I looove Libby!
I just renewed mine yesterday, AND I was thinking about banned books last night and putting them in free little libraries, so when I read this 🤯
Monica have you thought of posting on NextDoor or even a letter to editor about all the cool stuff your library does? I’m sure they would appreciate the support and folks might find out about new resources.
That is an excellent idea!
I'm late to the Friday party but in California folks can check out a State Parks pass from the library too - and I believe you can get LinkedIn Learning access with your library card too.
My library also has passes to museums and lots of news subscriptions. So much cool stuff!
Love this Friday roundup! A friend has started hosting write-your-reps get-togethers at her house for an hour on Saturday mornings. She puts on Bluey for the kids, and we write our reps in solidarity. I'm looking forward to going for the first time tomorrow.
oh this is great!!
Currently living in suburban (close to rural) red red Texas (Brandon Gill is our new rep, he’s a delight 🤢) All of this to say, my friends and I are starting a website/information portal/something to get people around here more informed and involved. We’ve had a lot of productive talks with MAGA or apathetic neighbors about vouchers and the devastation it’s going to cause for our local public schools. We are going to try and make it as non partisan as possible (but I did ask if I could shitpost about Mr. Gill 🤣). Anyway all of this to say it’s definitely inspired by your actionable items in Democracy in Retrograde! I love the dinner for democracy idea and might try to incorporate that as well. Thank you, Emily!
Madison Wisconsin here. I'm a guy usually, usually in Instagram I just keep my mouth shut and read to learn. Emily's book and posts and articles and substacks motivated me I'm more active especially locally last week I got 30 some people to call their representatives. If this was for women only I'll make my apologies and leave 🫣
Its not, you are welcome!
I loved this and thank you so much for all the work you do. Tomorrow, my husband and I have a day date to go to our local indie bookstore and spend the gift card we got as a wedding present a year ago. And then we're going to our favorite local bakery to get a ton of baked goods that we're going to drop off to our main library branch and the one closest to us (which has been under serious fire from the Moms for Liberty). We want to give them the treats and find out what they need by way of support. Donations? Books? Supplies? People to do reading hours? I don't want to presume what their needs are; we want to give them what they actually need. And we're going to do that one Saturday a month. I tried to get on the board, but they continued with their MAGA and MAHA people. BUT we're getting a group together to keep applying and keep going to meetings.
This feels like something I would text my friends. I am low key obsessed with spreading the word about how we have been duped into believing our recycling is actually recycled (re: the NYTimes article). It turns out lobbying for systemic change is more important than cleaning out your peanut butter jar to put in the recycling.
Also go libraries! Ours is awesome. They even lend out things like kitchen appliances and cake molds.
YES! Mine loans out carpet cleaners, sewing machines, even projectors & inflatable movie screens for outdoor movie parties!
I know the donation will vary but I found joining my local friends of the library group only cost $10. I know the 'only' isn't in reach for everyone but it is a price that many can afford. Our local friends group puts on a number of local events for our small town and sells pre-loved books at great prices!
We just got new library cards in an area we are temporarily staying in for a few months. It's a "welcome" card so we can still check out things without being permanent residents. If you're a nomad like us or want to join other libraries, you can also do that. I believe Broward county in Florida lets you join online for a fee too to help support them.
That is really nice!! There are a couple places that also just let people get cards regardless if you are a resident, I have one from MD. Because on libby you can have multiple cards (on my quest to have constant acess to all my Agatha Raisin books.)
Yes! So many DMV area libraries have reciprocity with other counties. I’m in Montgomery County, but can get library cards from Arlington, PG, etc. I plan to take a self care day sometimes soon and just drive around to other counties with reciprocity to collect more.
If anyone is a patient at Dana-Farber, you can get a Libby card through them too!! It's great because they often have popular books with a shorter waitlist than my community libraries.
There are a bunch of libraries across the country where you can join as a non-resident for a fee-anywhere from 25 to 75 I think. If you live in an area with limited access to a library or in an area that has gone wild on banning books, it's a great option to access digital content. As an avid Libby user, I've thought about joining one just so I can have access to more content.
Love the quick easy script for calling reps! Made my calls this morning before work. Thank you Emily!
I probably do need to start putting these up on IG feeds, lol!
It made it super easy for me to call and make a reel encouraging my followers to take 5 mins to also call. Easy peasy!
These are really helpful.
OMG the panda cam has already made my life better!
Love this. I've been debating if I should get my kids their own library cards and now I feel like why not! The more the merrier
Yes, please do! Non-working librarian here, and the number of cardholders is tracked and noticed.
Also a non-working librarian here. Another thing you can do it check out books that are available that you think might be at risk of being banned (even if you already have it at home). Circulation numbers matter!
Re: the ProPublica report - I work for Sepsis Alliance. If you’re interested in our advocacy work, please visit sepsis.org. We’ll be having a maternal sepsis webinar in May during Maternal Sepsis Week.
As a mom who wants health info but strongly rejects all the anti-science wellness stuff masquerading as legit info, thank you for that AMA link! Loving the is Friday round up format!