While I focus on Technology, Innovation, and Publishing, because I have a platform, I also flag items that I think are important and try to include a bunch of resources & opportunities. I’d love to hear what you think of this newsletter.

Important Items

FDA approves first over-the-counter birth control pill in the U.S.

First, some good news! FDA approves first over-the-counter birth control pill in U.S. with no age restrictions. “Almost half of the pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/hormonal-birth-control-fda-nonprescription-contraceptive-pill-rcna93958

Education Dept. Cancels $39 Billion in Student Debt for 800,000 Borrowers

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/14/business/student-loan-forgiveness.html

Texas judge who doesn’t want to perform gay marriage ceremonies hopes web designer’s Supreme Court case helps her fight

And now onto some bad news: RT @AriDrennen In a twist that truly everyone could have predicted, a judge in Texas is using the Supreme Court’s ruling in 303 Creative to claim that she can refuse to marry same-sex couples

https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/12/texas-judge-gay-weddings-supreme-court/

AI Is Making Politics Easier, Cheaper and More Dangerous

And now onto dangerous & deadly news: Voters are already seeing AI-generated campaign materials — and likely don’t know it.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-07-11/chatgpt-ai-boom-makes-political-dirty-tricks-easier-and-cheaper

Summer Heat Waves Killed 61,000 in Europe Last Year, Study Says

More than 61,000 people died because of last year’s brutal summer heat waves across Europe, a new study found. Most of the people who died were women, especially those older than 80. Italy, Spain and Portugal had the highest heat-related mortality rates.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/10/climate/heat-waves-europe-deaths.html

A Tsunami of Disability Is Coming as a Result of ‘Long COVID’

We need to plan for a future where millions of survivors are chronically ill.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-tsunami-of-disability-is-coming-as-a-result-of-lsquo-long-covid-rsquo/

New Northwestern study reveals alarming impact of long Covid on patients

RT @TaylorLorenz Long Covid occurs in about a third of Covid survivors and is now the third leading neurologic disorder in the United States.

https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/new-northwestern-study-impact-long-covid-patients

Caregiving costs women nearly $300,000 in lost pay over their lifetimes, Department of Labor finds

HT @GenderAvenger A first-of-its-kind report from the Department of Labor studying women in their early 40s calculated how much they lose as a result of their caregiving responsibilities for children and parents. The impact is especially high for Latinas.

https://19thnews.org/2023/05/caregiving-women-parents-children-cost-lifetime/

How a UPS strike could disrupt deliveries and roil the package delivery business

UPS’ competitors won’t be able to absorb all the backlog created by a strike. UPS delivered an average of 24.3 million packages per day in 2022 — more than any competitor can take on.

https://www.npr.org/2023/07/12/1186984345/ups-strike-shipping-package-delivery

Syphilis has increased 128% among women in Houston since 2019

The Houston Health Department has reported a syphilis outbreak, with an increase of 128% among women in the city, and a ninefold increase in congenital cases in Houston and the surrounding Harris County area since 2019

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/15/health/houston-syphilis-outbreak/index.html

Innovation

Google Quantum Computer Is ’47 Years’ Faster Than #1 Supercomputer

https://www.sciencealert.com/google-quantum-computer-is-47-years-faster-than-1-supercomputer

Technology

Google’s medical AI chatbot is already being tested in hospitals

MT @bensbitesdaily Google’s medical AI chatbot in live testing at Mayo Clinic. It is more or less as good as real doctors at reasoning, consensus-supported answers, & correct comprehension. Customers will have total control of data + Google can’t access it

https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/8/23788265/google-med-palm-2-mayo-clinic-chatbot-bard-chatgpt

AI tests into top 1% for original creative thinking

New research from the University of Montana and its partners suggests artificial intelligence can match the top 1% of human thinkers on a standard test for creativity.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230705154051.htm

AI Won’t Really Kill Us All, Will It?

Could artificial intelligence become so dangerous, it would lead to the destruction of humanity? Some researchers and experts involved in creating it say yes. How seriously should we take their warnings?

https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2023/07/ai-wont-really-kill-us-all-will-it/674648/

The Gatekeepers of Knowledge Don’t Want Us to See What They Know

“To truly hold the platforms accountable, we must support the journalists who are on the front lines of chronicling how despots, trolls, spies, marketers and hate mobs are weaponizing tech platforms or being enabled by them.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/14/opinion/big-tech-european-union-journalism.html

Meta to release commercial AI model in effort to catch rivals

MT @briansolis Meta plans to widely release a commercial version of its large language model, LLaMA, “imminently.” The AI will be open sources allowing start-ups and businesses to build custom software and interfaces on top of it.

https://www.ft.com/content/01fd640e-0c6b-4542-b82b-20afb203f271

Google Bard Updated With Text to Speech, 40 New Languages

Bard now works in 40 new languages, including Arabic, Chinese, German, and Spanish, and you can hear the results spoken in these languages. You can also now include images as part of your prompts. Bard uses Google Lens to interpret the image, allowing it to create captions and other content based on the picture. This one is also only available in English for the time being.

https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/google-bard-updated-with-text-to-speech-40-new-languages

Alibaba launches A.I. tool to generate images from text

Chinese technology giant Alibaba launched Tongyi Wanxiang, an artificial intelligence tool that can generate images from prompts. OpenAI’s DALL-E and Stable Diffusion are two of the most well-known AI text-to-image generation services available at the moment.

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/07/alibaba-launches-ai-tool-to-generate-images-from-text-.html

How Will the “Disruption” of Hollywood Play Out?

RT @michellemanafy Professional video is already being disrupted by social video, new tech adds gas to the fire

https://dougshapiro.medium.com/how-will-the-disruption-of-hollywood-play-out-42f724c921e1

AP strikes news-sharing and tech deal with OpenAI

It’s one of 1st big deals between major news org & AI firm. OpenAI will access AP’s text archive dating back to 1985. AP will get access to OpenAI’s tech & product expertise.

https://www.axios.com/2023/07/13/ap-openai-news-sharing-tech-deal

Shutterstock signs 6-year training data agreement with OpenAI

Shutterstock announces an expanded, six-year partnership with OpenAI that grants access to its video, image, and music libraries for AI training.

https://venturebeat.com/ai/shutterstock-signs-6-year-training-data-agreement-with-openai/

In partnership with the IPTC, the PLUS Coalition publishes draft standard for image data mining restrictions

HT @davidriecks They’re asking for comments before July 20

https://iptc.org/news/plus-publishes-draft-standard-for-image-data-mining-restrictions/

ChatGPT company probed over consumer protection issues

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has launched an investigation into ChatGPT creator OpenAI and whether the artificial intelligence company violated consumer protection laws by scraping public data and publishing false information through its chatbot.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/chatgpt-company-probed-over-consumer-protection-issues

Forget machine learning. Google now wants to crack machine unlearning

Training algorithms to forget what they’ve learned is coming in the interest of data privacy rights

https://qz.com/google-ai-machine-unlearning-challenge-data-privacy-1850594580

Plagiarism Engine: Google’s Content-Swiping AI Could Break the Internet

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/google-sge-break-internet

Google hit with lawsuit alleging it stole data from millions of users to train its AI tools

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/11/tech/google-ai-lawsuit

‘Not for Machines to Harvest’: Data Revolts Break Out Against A.I.

The revolts against AI have begun. Fed up with AI companies consuming online content without consent, fan fiction writers, actors, social media companies and news organizations are now among those rebelling. This past week, comedian Sarah Silverman and the authors Christopher Golden and Richard Kadrey sued OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, and others over A.I.’s use of their work.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/15/technology/artificial-intelligence-models-chat-data.html

Two authors file class action against OpenAI for ‘breaching copyright’ by ‘training’ ChatGPT on novels they wrote without their permission

The suit comes from authors Mona Awad and Paul Tremblay. They say ChatGPT was trained in part by ‘ingesting’ their books without consent. A class action lawsuit, the filing is the first against OpenAI concerning copyright

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12268555/Two-authors-file-class-action-against-OpenAI-breaching-copyright-training-ChatGPT.html

How a Nonhuman Author Could Write a Bestseller

HT @ThadMcIlroy Rather than fear AI’s imitating an author’s style,more interesting to imagine AI trained to perfectly imitate each reader’s taste+since it could read the millions of books published every yr, it can recommend to each reader the perfect book

https://slate.com/technology/2023/06/book-publishing-artificial-intelligence-copyright.html

Glamour Bulgaria cover model uses AI to create Barbie-inspired photoshoot

https://nypost.com/2023/07/12/model-lisa-opie-uses-ai-to-create-glamour-bulgaria-barbie-inspired-cover/

This is how AI could change the future of journalism

Just as mobile phones and Google search transformed journalistic labour, AI seems destined to have a similarly profound impact.

https://news.sky.com/story/this-is-how-ai-could-change-the-future-of-journalism-12916089

The next generation of AI?

HT @bosacks The potential for publishers is quite extraordinary. We have already seen how publishers can use previous AI technologies in creative ways. The Washington Post’s Heliograf automatically writes articles on simple stories such as sports scores or election results. Reuters’ News Tracer allows it to spot, track and help verify news stories breaking on social media. The New York Times’ Project Feels automatically generates personalized summaries of stories that seek to understand the emotional tone of an article. Generative AI offers the opportunity to expand that exponentially.

https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/the-next-generation-of-ai-22047

WGA Slams G/O Media’s AI-Generated Articles as ‘Existential Threat to Journalism,’ Demands Company End Practice

Union says it’s the “same fight” that members are waging against Hollywood studios

https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/wga-slams-go-media-ai-generated-articles-existential-threat-1235668496/

How an AI-written Star Wars story created chaos at Gizmodo

A Gizmodo story on Star Wars, generated by artificial intelligence, was riddled with errors. Before it was corrected, the list failed to put the movies and shows into their correct chronological order and excluded some more recent chapters and spinoffs of the beloved franchise.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/07/08/gizmodo-ai-errors-star-wars/

In – or out? Wimbledon considers replacing line judges with AI

Tournament director says tennis club needs to balance preserving traditions with technological innovation

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jul/07/in-or-out-wimbledon-considers-replacing-line-judges-with-ai-tennis

AI resurrection of Brazilian singer for car ad sparks joy and ethical worries

Beloved musician Elis Regina died aged 36 in 1982 but a new Volkswagen commercial shows her duetting with her daughter

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/14/brazil-singer-elis-regina-artificial-intelligence-volkswagen

Branded content tools coming to Threads

Instagram is planning to bring its branded content tools to Threads, giving marketers a way to get involved with paid promotion on the app while advertising is still off limits. Companies see a clear advantage in being a first-mover on Threads, but with the rules around paid promotion in flux, it’s unclear the best way to get involved beyond creating organic posts. Instagram’s terms of service, which includes guidance around sponsored content, applies to Threads.

https://www.axios.com/2023/07/11/threads-instagram-branded-content-tools

Meta confirms it is blocking EU-based users from accessing Threads via VPN

Threads isn’t available in the European Union due to privacy concerns. After some users in the EU complained about not being able to access the app, even through a VPN, Meta confirmed that it was blocking EU-based users from access that way, too.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/14/meta-is-blocking-eu-based-users-from-accessing-threads-via-vpn/

TikTok surpasses $1 billion in consumer spending in a single quarter

TikTok has become the first-ever app to exceed $1 billion in consumer spending within a single quarter. Unlike non-game apps, where subscriptions account for nearly 70% of in-app purchase spending, TikTok distinguishes itself by relying on one-time purchases, a model typically more popular in the gaming industry.

https://www.businessofapps.com/news/tiktok-surpasses-1-billion-in-consumer-spending-in-a-single-quarter/

TikTok Is Coming to Redbox Kiosks in Ad-Driven Deal

RT @michellemanafy 🧐In an unusual partnership, TikTok has cut a deal with Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, the owner of Redbox, as well as the advertising platform Crackle Connex

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/tiktok-coming-to-redbox-kiosk-screens-1235533353/

Roblox is coming to Meta Quest VR headsets

Although Roblox is already compatible with various VR headsets, including Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, gamers currently need to connect their PC to a VR headset to play. The Quest version of Roblox should be a lot easier to load and access, especially since you will eventually be able to download it directly from the Meta Quest Store. Roblox on Quest will be available for people ages 13 and up.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/12/roblox-coming-metas-quest-vr-headsets/

Lessons From the Catastrophic Failure of the Metaverse

https://www.thenation.com/article/culture/metaverse-zuckerberg-pr-hype/

A Driver’s License for the Internet

Britain, Italy, Japan, and about 2 dozen states have or want website age restrictions. Seven states require age checks for users on sites like Pornhub. Companies are also limiting kids access to dating apps, gaming platforms, & online shopping. Social media is the next major target.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/03/briefing/age-verification.html

A museum repatriated stolen sculptures and received a high-tech replica in return. Could this be the future of restoring lost treasures to their homelands?

HT @creativemorning When the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia repatriated a Bakor monolith to Nigeria at the end of June, it did not walk away empty-handed. Instead, it received an almost identical facsimile, only this lightweight version was made of resin rather than basalt rock.

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/chrysler-museum-factum-foundation-high-tech-facsimile-restitution-2332938

2023 Digital media trends: Immersed and connected

https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/technology/digital-media-trends-consumption-habits-survey.html/#read-the-digital-media-trends

Publishing & Media

The Merch-ification of Book Publishing

There’s been an interesting discussion on Twitter and Threads about the inequity of this. HT ⁦@KathMSchmidt ⁩The Influence of BookTok and Bookstagram on Book Publishing Merch.

https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a44449495/book-publishing-influencer-merch-explained/

How My Newsletter Helped Me Land an Agent and a Big Five Book Deal

https://janefriedman.com/how-my-newsletter-helped-me-land-an-agent-and-a-big-five-book-deal/

The lingering battle: E-book piracy costs U.S. publishers $300 million annually

The consequences of e-book piracy extend beyond financial losses. Authors frequently find it challenging to continue writing book series that fail to generate profits, and e-book piracy exacerbates this issue.

https://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/the-lingering-battle-e-book-piracy-costs-u-s-publishers-300-million-annually

Reading for fun plunges to ‘crisis’ level for US students

RT @PENamerica More phones, fewer books. “Common Sense Media reported in 2015 that most children had a phone by the age of 14. In 2022, Stanford Medicine found that the average age had reached 11.”

https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4093843-reading-for-fun-plunges-to-crisis-level-for-us-students/

Graphic Novels Are an Important Resource for Parents of Reluctant Readers

Studies show over 50 percent of children read less than fifteen minutes daily, and many students grow up without reaching their expected reading level by the time they graduate high school. While many factors contribute to these statistics, one approach parents and teachers can take is to find ways to engage reluctant readers with alternative reading materials.

https://action.everylibrary.org/graphic_novels_are_an_important_resource_for_parents_of_reluctant_readers

New initiative launches to give trans people a voice in the UK publishing industry

Trans author Harry Nicholas has launched a networking space to “bring together experiences and voices” of trans creatives and allies in book publishing.

https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/07/12/harry-nicholas-trans-author-trans-publishing-network/

New chapter for Australian writers

RT @eBookscom Australia to include ebooks in library lending compensation for authors “… we are delivering $12.9 million to ensure authors and publishers are fairly compensated for their work.” Currently, the scheme only provides compensation for printed book usage.

https://www.miragenews.com/new-chapter-for-australian-writers-1034219/

Europe’s ‘Culture Vouchers’ for Teens: The RISE Report

Wish we had this in the U.S.! “As witnessed by booksellers in all countries where the scheme has been implemented, and confirmed by studies on reading and cultural spending habits conducted in France and Italy, the cultural voucher schemes have brought young people into bookshops in a volume not seen before, and young people seem to start reading for pleasure, and not just for school….It is clear that the schemes have been largely successful in introducing a wider group of young people to culture, and more specifically to literature.”

https://publishingperspectives.com/2023/07/europes-culture-passes-for-teens-the-rise-report/

Frankfurt’s CONTEC Mexico: Audiobooks’ Finer Points

At Frankfurt’s CONTEC Mexico, panelists from Chile, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the United Kingdom discussed making audiobooks.

https://publishingperspectives.com/2023/07/at-frankfurts-contec-mexico-art-for-audios-sake/

What this $1,500 book tells us about the future of modern publishing

The Folio Society makes the world’s most expensive and lavishly designed books. Its bet on beauty is paying off.

https://www.fastcompany.com/90920691/folio-society-book-future-modern-publishing

Rare books curator in West Virginia returns 119-years overdue library book to Massachusetts

HT @inkbitspixels ‘This came back in extremely good condition’

https://fortune.com/2023/07/08/library-book-returned-119-years-overdue-massachusetts-west-virginia/

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Hits Notable Milestone — 200 Million Books Sent to Children (So Far!)

As part of the celebration, those enrolled in the program could win an opportunity to chat with the singer

https://people.com/dolly-parton-imagination-library-hits-notable-milestone-200-million-books-sent-to-children-so-far-7560316

100 Best Books of All Time

https://www.rd.com/list/books-read-before-die/

Book Riot’s Best Books of 2023 (so far)!

https://bookriot.com/best-books-of-2023-so-far/

10 best books of 2023 so far, according to Google Bard

HT @bookriot

https://readerupdated.com/2023/07/08/best-books-2023-so-far-google-bard/

Nonprofit trust buying Press Herald, other Maine newspapers in landmark deal

The National Trust for Local News has agreed to purchase 5 of the state’s 6 daily papers and 17 of its weeklies in an effort to preserve local journalism.

https://www.pressherald.com/2023/07/10/nonprofit-trust-buying-press-herald-other-maine-newspapers-in-landmark-deal/

How Milwaukee Is Celebrating the Typewriter’s Long, Local History

Looks like it was a fun celebration!

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/typewriter-invented-in-milwaukee-qwerty-keyboard-history

The Impact of Book Bans on Authors

https://literaryactivism.substack.com/p/the-impact-of-book-bans-on-authors

Montana State Library Commission votes to withdraw from national association

In the past year, right-wing media outlets zeroed in on a tweet from ALA President-elect Emily Drabinski in which she identified herself as a “Marxist lesbian.” Some considered the proclamation to be evidence of a false narrative rooted in right-leaning conspiracies claiming LGBTQ+ titles at the library aim to “groom children.”

https://dailymontanan.com/2023/07/12/montana-state-library-commission-votes-to-withdraw-from-national-association/

How new tactics have driven a spike in book ban attempts

RT @FLFreedomRead All of the “new” tactics discussed here were used during the 22/23 SY here in FL (we’re a year ahead since laws passed here first). Tactics for the 23/24 SY have already shown signs of evolution. The goal: avoid the public objection process altogether.

https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/education/4086695-how-new-tactics-have-driven-a-spike-in-book-ban-attempts/

A new Texas law forces vendors to rate sexual content in schoolbooks

HT @NoetheMatt The TX law also applies retroactively to books sold to schools in past, so vendors must issue recalls for “sexually explicit” books still in circulation. And “vendor” could refer to Amazon, B&N, a publisher, a wholesaler, or indie bookstore.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/04/business/texas-sexually-explicit-books-law/index.html

You can’t tell the truth about the Holocaust in Poland. Could that happen in the US?

HT @JulieBlattberg Who gets to define objectionable content, and where is this all heading? Will it result in a single permissible curriculum or a mandated version of U.S. history that librarians, teachers and professors must adhere to or risk discipline or dismissal? Will the chilling effect on publishers over the long term curtail circulation and reprints of banned books? Looking at Europe’s examples should be instructive. The land of the free and the home of the brave should make room for the truth to be told in the classroom and in the town square.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2023/07/11/book-bans-beginning-end-free-speech-us/70397693007/

Hungarian bookstore fined thousands for not concealing Heartstopper graphic novel

Hungary’s second-largest bookstore chain was fined 12 million forints ($35K) for failing to conceal LGBTQ+ content

https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/07/14/hungary-bookstore-fine-heartstopper-lgbtq/

‘Racist,’ ‘grooming’: Why parents are trying to ban so many picture books

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/07/12/grooming-racist-why-adults-are-waging-war-childrens-picture-books-or-inside-adult-war-childrens-picture-books/

Library event cancellations, changes, and support for Pride Month 2023

A roundup of stories highlighting this year’s challenges related to Pride. These are broken up by book displays, books gone “missing,” drag storytimes, and other Pride events. As should be clear by now, these are only stories being shared in the media, and in the cases of libraries being hit by CatholicVote’s “Hide the Pride,” I’ve elected to take that organization at its face value in the claims they made of success, even when local media did not cover the story. Why? Because the media is itself complicit in this ongoing fascism, given how much is buried behind paywalls (which you’ll see plenty of here, too). In some cases — whether or not it is the appropriate decision — libraries elect not to publicize what has happened and/or are unaware they became targets of the coordinated effort.

https://bookriot.com/library-pride-month-cancelations-2023/

Students can handle exposure to different world views in school. It’s adults who are fragile.

If you want to mold your children’s beliefs, content is less important than making their worlds so small that they never engage a stranger.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2023/07/08/book-bans-impact-kids-beliefs/70387628007/

Massachusetts Legislators Propose Book Ban Bills

https://bookriot.com/massachusetts-legislators-propose-book-ban-bills/

Pennsylvania bill introduced to ban book bans

https://www.wtaj.com/news/regional-news/pennsylvania-bill-introduced-to-ban-book-bans/

Jay-Z Finances Anti-Book Ban Initiatives In New York

HT @FriendsOfJodi Roc Nation’s Jay-Z and the Chief Executive Officer of the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft, have launched a series of programs to combat the rising prevalence of banned books. Their efforts focus on literary teachings about the Holocaust, gender equality, LGBTQIA+ history, and slavery. Kraft and Jay have donated nearly $1 million to offer completely pro bono legal representation to teachers, librarians, and other academics who are the victims of state policies to ban books. Kraft’s donations come mainly through his existing social justice organizations, specifically the Shawn Carter Foundation and the Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/jay-z-finances-anti-book-ban-initiatives-in-new-york/

Resources & Opportunities

The Battle for the Bookshelf: How to Fight Back Against Book Bans

Are you a book lover? Are you angry about this assault on literary works? Join us on July 17th to learn what you can do about it! Register now – LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP!

https://womensmediagroup.org/event-5325775

The Black Writer’s Guide to Being Agent-Ready

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-black-writers-guide-to-being-agent-ready-tickets-643753763837?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

Black Creatives Virtual IP Workshop for Published Authors

MT @diversebooks Published Black authors: curious about Intellectual Property (IP) opportunities? Don’t miss out on our workshop @ 3pm ET on 7/27/23! Info + application here:

https://diversebooks.org/programs/black-creatives-ip-workshop/

The Fall 2023 TransLash News Fellowship

MT @jbakernyc If you identify as Transgender or gender-nonconforming and are a journalist living in Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, or Georgia, consider applying for the translashmedia fellowship! Deadline to apply is August 3rd.

https://translash.org/the-fall-2023-translash-news-fellowship/

Fight Censorship with the CBLDF San Diego Comic-Con 2023 Welcome Party

https://sdccblog.com/2023/07/fight-censorship-with-the-cbldf-san-diego-comic-con-2023-welcome-party/

Defending Intellectual Freedom: Library Workers on the Front Line

MT @OFTunion Ohio library workers, join us for “Defending Intellectual Freedom: Library Workers on the Front Line,” a webinar Wednesday, August 30th at 7:30 pm ET. RSVP & more info here:

https://actionnetwork.org/forms/defending-intellectual-freedom-library-workers-on-the-front-line/

ReelAbilities Festival Launches Accessible Streaming Platform

RT @michellemanafy ReelAbilities Film Festival announced a new platform dedicated to curating, supporting & streaming films around disability. The launch also signals a new era of accessibility in streaming, as they work on a fully accessible platform for all subscribers

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/reelabilities-film-festival-launches-streaming-platform-1235533499/