iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Is it time to Act? Pleased to share a new paper in Public Library Quarterly (DOI: 10.1080/01616846.2026.2726106). Is the Public Libraries and Museums Act (1964) still fit for purpose? The answer? It's complicated. Free ePrint link for those without access: tinyurl.com/mufaa4f2 #PublicLibraries

tinyurl.com

Time to Act? Evaluating the Adequacy of the Public Libraries and Museums Act (1964) Through Public and Stakeholder Perspectives

This paper evaluates the adequacy of the Public Libraries and Museums Act (1964) for contemporary public library services in England. Drawing on a multi-phase mixed methods study, it compares publi...

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

New research explores the challenges facing public library collections in England. “Need to do more with less!” “…making choices in a vacuum.” “Stronger lobbying for sustainable funding…” Read the full report: doi.org/10.15131/she... @sheffielduni.bsky.social #PublicLibraries #LibraryResearch

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Early Valentine’s as I’ll be prone (in post knee-op recovery) by then. Escape room (Pier Pressure, Brighton is 🤌). Pancakes. Books. New trainers. Lovely day out.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Enjoyed a night of creativity yesterday. The Paint Club. They provide everything, including step by step instructions. A bit of escapism. #art #painting

Four women in a line holding their canvases up to the camera.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with our canvases. The paintings show a night time lake scene with islands in the distance and a full moon

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Well well well. That was cracking. #CelebrityTraitors And Neuroblastoma UK seems like a fabulous charity.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

I’m sorry for my face this morning. It’s because I started work early (on my 3rd coffee already) so I can clock off early. My brain knew this was a great idea; I just don’t think it communicated it to my body. GIF is fair approximation of my current vibe and aesthetic. #Monday #EarlyStart #Regrets

media.tenor.com

a gremlin is eating a piece of cheese in front of a refrigerator

Alt: a gremlin is eating a piece of cheese in front of a refrigerator - my face looks very similar

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

It’s my two year gym birthday. September 2023, I was so scared to use the gym. Found a great, friendly local one and haven’t looked back. Some progress pics because I’m one of those annoying gym people now. #Gym #StrengthTraining #FitInYourForties

Me September 2023 (left) vs me September 2025 (now).

Me in August 2023 (left) vs me in August 2025 (right).

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

When you want a coffee. But you’re in your office in the garden (in slippers) and the coffee machine is in the house. (Volume up)

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Leaning into the 1st September. Autumnal socks and apple crumble cake for breakfast (with protein yoghurt, for balance). #Autumn #PumpkinSeason

Cute autumnal socks with foxes and mushrooms.

Wedge of apple crumble cake, spoon, and dollop of blueberry protein yoghurt.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

It’s not all about the numbers but the numbers are pretty cool. I’ve lost 53% of my body weight. Or 92.4% of my excess body weight. Currently working on muscle gain but that’ll get easier once my knee surgery happens: probable bucket-handle-meniscus-tear 🪣 #GettingFit #FortiesAndFit

Screen grab from my tracker app showing starting weight at 154kg and current weight at 72.3kg.

Screen grab from my tracker app showing starting weight at 339.5lb and current weight at 159.5lb.

Family time at the gym earlier this month. Me (left, in pink) and our son (right, in the cap) forcing Helen (middle, in blue) to take a cringey, jazz hands photo in the gym. She’s wearing wrist straps as she was midway through her bench.

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Reposted by Jo McKenna-Aspell

Steve Everitt @steve-everitt.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

New rule. A parent may only propose removing a book from the school library only after reading it in its entirety and delivering a book report to the librarian. Until then no discussion shall be entered into.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

My little bookcase tracker is rapidly filling up. Either I need to slow down (unlikely) or I’m going to have to squeeze in some extra books before the year is out. #RemarkablePro #YearOfReading

Handrawn bookcase of five shelves. The books were originally empty but four shelves’ worth of books are now coloured in. And the title and author of each book I’ve read this year is written on the spine of a book.

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Westcott House Cambridge @westcotthousecam.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Dr Emma Swai is up next in our intro series. An educator for over two decades, her research interests look at the portrayal of disability in New Testament writings, linguistic analysis of ecclesiastical texts and positionality & interpretation. More info about Emma’s research in bio: buff.ly/kNk2CXB

Photo of Dr Emma Swai, Associate Supervisor at Westcott House.
Text: 'Disability, as embodied experience, is a lens not often factored into academic study. I believe that it should be and, therefore, I offer students the opportunity to consider research from a perspective that specifically aims to recognise potential embedded prejudice in the issues or area they are examining. I see my job as a supervisor as supporting my students to find confidence in their own voice. I will never tell students what to think, but I might challenge them: not necessarily because I disagree, but because I want them to strengthen their own position.'

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Finally got around to getting this big beasty printed. 🤩 Still feels unreal. If little Jo could see middle aged Jo, I think she’d be chuffed. #PhDone #BigBook #PublicLibraries @sheffielduni.bsky.social

Holding my bound thesis, black hardback. My bespectacled eyes and forehead poking out from behind.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

The University of Sheffield & The Combined Regions are exploring how the current challenges faced by UK local authorities are impacting #PublicLibraries & their collections. We're looking for participants (Heads of Library Service). For more info or a copy of the pamphlet, drop me a message!

These images are screenshots of our information pamphlet. Please send me a message and I’ll forward on the original file, which works with screen-readers.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

First paper related to my PhD is published. Definitely feels like a milestone. www.tandfonline.com/eprint/K66RA... It argues that Q methodology is an ace way to investigate public opinions of public libraries. #QMethodology #Research #PublicLibraries

tandfonline.com

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Gender Census @gendercensus.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

The 12th annual international Gender Census 2025 is now open until at least 30th August 2025! survey.gendercensus.com It's for anyone whose gender (or lack thereof) isn't described by the M/F binary. It's short and easy, and results are useful in academia, business and self-advocacy.

Title: Gender Census 2025.

Text: If you can't easily put yourself into just one of these two boxes, you are invited to take part.

Illustration: Two boxes, each with photos of relevant dictionary pages.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Today’s my 2 year Bariatric birthday. I had a gastric sleeve (NHS). Turns out it was 100% the right tool for me. Pic1: the numbers, a total loss of 178.75lb Pic2: full body comparison Pic3: belly comparison (still working on it) Pic4: my wife & I, then vs now #PersonalJourney #Health #Fitness

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The Women's Game @womensgamemib.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

HISTORIC EURO SUMMER IN SWITZERLAND 👏 🎥: FOXSoccer

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Absolutely wrecked but over the moon. Bring on Sunday. Although, I might watch with my eyes closed. #Lionesses #Euro2025 #Finalists

A collage of the lionesses in various match poses taken from the tournament so far.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Crikey. Nearly got a stress nosebleed in sympathy tonight. The #Lionesses worked their butts off for that. Turns out Hannah Hampton is a class act.

Photo taken of my TV - showing Hannah Hampton (in her green goalie shirt) and Chloe Kelly (number 18, white shirt) celebrating after the Lionesses’ win.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

I don’t wanna appear too smug but it’s 10 a.m. on a Friday and I have emptied my inbox. #IsItTheWeekendYet?

Screen grab of my empty work gmail inbox with the image of three bricks in yellow, red and blue, topped with a flag, and the message “all done!”

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

STEM lego. It moves too but I couldn’t work out a good way to film that. A very enjoyable build. #Lego #STEM

The newest Lego set in my library - “The evolution of STEM”. It’s an open book with things popping out like NASA’s Voyager Probe, a bee, Marie Curie, George Washington Carver, Isaac Newton, a chalk board and so on. Perched on the end of one of my bookshelves.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Been having some personal victories recently. So celebrating #FaceToFaceFriday

Collage. Top row shows my face in 2009, 2015 and 2020. Bottom row shows three pictures captured this year (2025).

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

My view vs her view. Also, I want it noted that I got dressed first and chose pink. She soooo copied me. After 25 years together, are we finally morphing our styles?! #Gym #Spotter #PrettyInPink #CopyCat

My wife, stood over me ready to spot my bench press efforts in the gym. From my view on the bench, I can see my wife smiling at me, her pink gym vest and the industrial looking ceiling.

Me on the gym bench in my pink vest (which I chose first!) smiling up at my wife, before I start my working sets on bench press. My hair is splayed and you can definitely see my greys from this angle.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Engagement and impact through “The Lord of the Rings”? Considered me engaged! This is off to a great start. @jamiebgall.co.uk @sheffielduni.bsky.social #Hobbits #TheLordOfTheRings

Screen grab of Jamie presenting on impact and engagement through the lens of Lord of the Rings. Screen shows the fellowship walking up a hill and Jamie chatting on Zoom.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

And this is even more impressive as it’s a macchiato, so it’s a tiny espresso cup! #Coffee #CoffeeArt

Double macchiato in an earthenware espresso cup and saucer. With my name (Jo) written into the milk foam.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

My “I’m pretty clever” moment of the day* was hanging a resistance band on the washing line so I could wedge in more socks. *I’ve probably peaked for June, to be honest.

Washing on line outside. I hung a yellow resistance band (portrait direction) which allowed me to peg up 5 pairs of socks in the same spaced I’d use for one.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Session on communicating research data for non-research audiences. Very helpful and loads of great examples… thanks, @researchretold.bsky.social Supported with a coffee and a cookie from my local vegan coffee shop: Kind in Selsey. @sheffielduni.bsky.social

My desk with a takeout mocha, a cardboard box that’s hiding a cookie with a personalised message on it (says, “Jo, have a Kind day 🩷”). And notes written on my Remarkable.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Bit of a different Sunday… supporting the #DedicatedByDesign kings at the British Powerlifting Union comp. Absolutely smashed their goals. I have lost my voice though. #MightHaveScreamedABit #PowerLifting #BigWeights

My wife and I trying to take a selfie but we’re not very good at it.

I made a friend called Bruce. Possibly a Frenchie but he’s a rescue so not much is known about him. Except the fact he loves people and I was happy to oblige. He’s up on his hind legs in this photo, demanding scritches.

Holding my third coffee of the day in a greyish takeout cup. My wife said I had “demented raccoon eyes” and cut off my caffeine supply after this one.

Left: Josh. Middle: Rahim. Right: Scot. All successfully pulling the second lift for their deadlifts. Absolute machines.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

It’s my one hundred and eleventh* birthday today. Celebrating by building more #Lego. *44 but I do feel 111 most mornings (pre-espresso).

Lego Rivendell set. Bilbo minifigure in the foreground holding a cane and a candle.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

Early birthday gift to myself. Coz having adult money means I have a #Lego problem. 49 bags in this set 😍😍😍

The three building manuals for the Rivendell Lego set

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

New addition the Lego in my library. I love the colour combinations in this set. #HeiHei #Moana

HeiHei from Moana built in Lego. Bright blue, red, green, yellow, orange, turquoise. On a shelf in front of my Lego heart.

HeiHei (posed sideways) from Moana built in Lego. Bright blue, red, green, yellow, orange, turquoise. On a shelf in front of my Lego heart.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

Through the Rebrickable website, I turned my Bonsai Lego set into Treebeard. I need to improve the hobbit minifigure. #LordOfTheRings #TheEnts

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Alondra Nelson @alondra.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Science Magazine gets it wrong. 🧵

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Big Green Books @biggreenbooks.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

It's #buyastrangerabook day. If you'd like a book, but aren't quite sure what, just let @melissaschuh.bsky.social know what kinda stuff you like reading. Melissa will then reply with a choice of four books. You can choose your favourite & Melissa will pay for it! So get in touch! UK only

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Big Green Books @biggreenbooks.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Today is #buyastrangerabook day. And here's a very kind offer from @shaunasaur.bsky.social , who's offering to buy someone the book of their choice, up to £20! not just the stuff on my website. Any book! So if there's something you'd like, get in touch! UK only.

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Dr. Melissa Schuh @melissaschuh.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

I’ll #BuyAStrangerABook 🤗 Personalised recommendations are my thing, so don’t forget to mention what kinds of things you like to read and I’ll suggest accordingly 📚 @biggreenbooks.bsky.social

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

So glad I went out on a school night. This was glorious. Wilde would have loved it #TheImportanceOfBeingEarnest @nationaltheatre.org.uk

Poster (in pink) for the NT live recorded screening

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Stupid knee being stupid again. I don’t have time for this!

Ice pack wrapped around my knee. Leg up on a stool and cushion beneath my desk.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Officially in our mothers-in-law era. What a wonderful weekend. #TheBoyGotHitched #LasMadres

Brother in law, father in law, mother in law, our son, his wonderful wife, myself, my wife. Posing in the sun with the Mallorcan countryside behind us.

Our son, showing off his wedding band. Palm tree behind him.

The beautiful couple, posing in front of the pond and under the fabric archway.

Pinning the boutonnière to my son’s jacket. And calming his nerves at the same time.

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Jo McKenna-Aspell @mckasp.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Attended a great focus group on open research, rigour and transparency this morning. Superbly facilitated by @jenniad.bsky.social Certainly thought-provoking but also enjoyable.

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