Links to Click: July 28, 2023

Please, Gen Z, learn about Woodstock 99

We’ve made it to Friday and we are nearly at the end of the month. It’s been cycling between smoke alerts, heat alerts, and tornadoes in my area all summer long and I am really missing enjoying the outdoors.

I am putting the final touches on my paper about mental illness in Goundhog Day and going elbow-deep into a draft of an upcoming piece for School Library Journal, too (I’ve had the opportunity to ask a ton of smart authors for their insights on it and am excited to share it). This week was also the end of my adult ballet class, which was so much fun. It was nice to be around other adults an hour each week doing a little dancing, even if it was not good dancing.

A short programming note before link o’clock. There will be no link roundup next week, as I’m taking some time off work. The Sunday newsletter will hit your inboxes, though.

My Work This Week:

• Why age-restricted public library cards are not the solution to fascism book bans. They’re a potential landmine of liabilities.

• Over on

  The Deep Dive
  , a look at Barbie as a publishing phenomenon, including her time in comics, magazines, and some pretty big adventures. After seeing the movie, I would 100% read a few Barbie books written for adults.

• If you’re into books and aliens, then you’re welcome.

• I am still looking for any Tennessee public librarians who might be able to help me track down some information.

What I Read This Week:

• Several Houston Independent School District libraries are being dumped and turned into detention facilities disciplinary centers this school year. This is all part of the state’s takeover of the district, which is in no way truthful to the “independent” part of its name. As the state succeeds here, keep an eye out for their takeover of other districts and the not-so-slow eradication of public education. I might need to write a lengthier post on this since it’s taking way too many by surprise when the writing has been on the wall–and many of us have been pointing to exactly this outcome for years now. HISD is the largest district in the state. Success there by the governor’s TEA puppet is a landmine of potential for other districts across the state.

• You really should listen to this episode of one of my favorite podcasts, 60 Songs That Explain the ‘90s. It’s about Sinead O’Connor’s mega hit and much more, about her as a human. We lost someone who spoke the truth over and over again and it’s very likely we lost her while she spoke up about mental health. Read this, too.

• The data shows teen suicide dropped in 2020 due to school closures. There’s a lot to sit with and a lot to take away here.

• I read a lot about Gen Z for several reasons, and this week there are two really interesting things that popped up on my radar. First, according to the New York Times, nu metal is back [gift link]. I grew up in this era of music and while I’d never yuck anyone’s yum–I, too, love a nu metal song or two!–I sure as hell hope the kids are learning about its historical misogyny. That Woodstock 99 documentary is not that old. Second, I am shocked Gen Z is worse at tipping than Boomers. The financial security argument is one that logically makes sense, but this is the same generation helping push for unions and fair wages, so it’s hard for me to believe in entirety. For what it’s worth, I’m team “will pay higher prices so staff get good wages and we get rid of tipping” (yes, I’ve experienced it and yes, it was worth it).

• What does the average human day look like?

See you on Sunday

—Kelly