BOOKS

The ACLU of Massachusetts is urging school committee members in Ludlow to reject a proposal that would change how library materials are selected, and who does the selecting.

The barbershop quartet Saffron stops by with educator Marcos Carreras, Rep. Jim McGovern dabbles with chat AI, and poets Martin Espada and Rich Michaelson read us a preview of poems they'll read at their respective events this weekend.

This week, librarians from around the state meet up at the the annual state library association convention. This year in Falmouth, the topics range from legislated book bans to patrons demands.

We speak with the folx of Transhealth about their 2nd anniversary celebrations and ongoing pursuit of better healthcare, Christian W.Z. Reader of Comics 'N More in Easthampton talks to us about Free Comic Book Day, and The Word Nerd grills us about informal language

We meet with the Director and several cast members of "La Ruta" being performed at Smith College right now, former poet laureate Karen Skolfield joins us to continue our National Poetry Month celebrations, and we get into definitive defining with The Word Nerd.

Pizza Quest volume 3 hits the Berkshires with Betty's Pizza Shack, local poet Lauren Singer talks about working with grief, and we meet some of the folx you can hear at CISA's upcoming Field Notes event: Jacob Nelson and Trouble Erin Anne Gouch Mendeson.

Author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka talks about his new book "Sunshine" along with a reading happening at the Academy of Music, Mr. Universe chats with us about JUICE, and we marathon a-typical events for Patriot's day.

We're joined by educator Thondup Tserin and Activist Tenzin Tsundue to chat about the struggle for a free Tibet; chat with teacher Tim Austin and some of his students at Fort River School about their civic engagement class; discover jazz jam sessions at The Drake; and celebrate the life of drummer Doug Tibbles.

H. John Fisher of Way Finders in Springfield speaks on housing issues and the conference they're hosting, and professor and poet Martín Espada speaks on his work and its connection to the greater community.

Mr. Universe, Salman Hameed, teaches us about the dangers of rogue black holes, Dylan Gaffney shares his project through Forbes Library on the history of Northampton, and outgoing poet laureate of Easthampton, Jason Montgomery, joins us because it's National Poetry Month.