Fresh insights from @chashub.bsky.social Conference Asia, where RC Associate Claire Hao examined how global knowledge systems look from Asian institutional realities.
Core question: how do systems designed for abundance adapt to rapid growth + structural inequity? #chsconf2025
[READ] Affordances, Resilience, and Precarity: Reflections on the 2025 Charleston Conference 📚
Members of team @openbookcollective.bsky.social share their reflections from #chsconf2025
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The EO targeting IMLS was a case study at the @chashub.bsky.social Long of the Law Plenary -- registrants can watch the replay: whova.com/portal/webap... #chsconf2025
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is reinstating all grants that were previously terminated by the Trump administration, @npr.org reports. www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n... #chsconf2025
A drawing of a hand is giving me Vulcan Salute. The words "Live Long & JSTOR" are written across the palm.
My new, favorite sticker, courtesy of a friend at the Charleston Conference. #chsconf2025 @jstor.bsky.social
Photo of the luncheon with a map on the screen
Closing out the week with the Poll-a-palooza! #chsconf2025
Front of water bottle with Charleston logo
Back of water bottle with Bloomsbury logo
Stay hydrated during your travels home—thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for sponsoring this year's water bottles! @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social #chsconf2025
MLA book markers
Keep tabs on all important things with to these nifty bookmarkers, courtesy of sponsor Modern Language Association. @modernlanguage.bsky.social #chsconf2025
Pens, notepads, chapstick, hand sanitizer!
Pens, notepads, chapstick, hand sanitizer—oh my! Thanks to ACS Publications for sponsoring these goodies.
@pubs.acs.org #chsconf2025
Collage of photos featuring the "2025 Cynthia Graham Hurd Scholarship Award Winner," Benjamin Saracco, and Carolyn Honour, Chief Commercial Officer at Springer Nature, on stage at Charleston Conference during the Award ceremony.
Springer Nature awards Rowan University librarian Benjamin Saracco the Cynthia Graham Hurd Memorial Award for his leadership on Connected Camden, which connects residents to health information regarding environmental health challenges.
Learn more: spklr.io/63327BzAFt
#chsconf2025
Oops, accidentally broke the thread. You can find its continuation here 👇
bsky.app/profile/chas... #chsconf2025
One wee bit of cross-promo... to learn more about bureaucracy and the administration of massive institutions like the federal gov't, check out this recent Q&A in @knowablemag.bsky.social: knowablemagazine.org/content/arti... #chsconf2025
From the entire Paradigm team, thank you to everyone who made this week at the Charleston Conference a huge success! 📚🏙️
We loved connecting with our partners and meeting new faces, and we're grateful to take part in these meaningful conversations year after year.
#CHSConf2025 Charleston Hub
Jim & Nancy
That's a wrap! Thanks to in-person speakers Nancy Weiss and Jim O'Donnell (filling in for Ann Okerson) and remote speaker @rosenzweigp.bsky.social #chsconf2025
Q: Best case scenario going forward?
A: 1- SCOTUS exercises some restraint on exec. action (e.g. tariff case); 2- results of elections give congress pause and see resurgence of congressional resistance
^ instead of a pendulum
#chsconf2025
Q: Budget for IMLS approve FY25. In process for 26 budget. Where is the money since Sept?
A: IMLS is closed right now, since Oct 1, with the FY. Agencies that are operating may have money from various processes -- e.g. fees, donated funds.
#chsconf2025
Q: We're talking about dismantling. What does "mantling" look like?
A: You can't "mantle" as readily as you can dismantle. Only holds as long as the party in power wants to "mantle."
#chsconf2025
Q: What constrains "capriciousness"?
A: Have you thought about, analyzed and documented why you did something? Need to have a rational basis, explanation, record of how you're making a decision.
Typically, take more time - taking public comment, responding, explaining.
#chsconf2025
The road ahead? We're watching what happens at the courts -- and on the Hill.
#chsconf2025
Going through cases:
-State of Rhode Island v. Trump (ongoing)
-ALA v. Sonderling (paused during shutdown)
#chsconf2025
Our presence at the Charleston Conference will continue virtually with “Research Impact and the Role of the Academic Librarian” on November 17th. This session will address the insufficiency of traditional impact measures, and the ways in which librarians contribute to scholarly success #chsconf2025
To understand lawsuits, need to know a few legal concepts:
-Separation of powers (Congress writes laws; exec implements them)
-Congress has power of the purse
-President is subject to "take care" clause
-Administrative procedure act (can't be arbitrary and capricious)
-Tucker act
#chsconf2025
What is the Institute of Museum and Library Services?
IMLS, by legislation, is an "independent" agency. Not a cabinet or department -- reports to the president. A tiny agency with a big mission.
#chsconf2025
There have been previous EOs, e.g. Executive Order 14084, "Advancing the Arts, the Humanities, and Museum and Library Services"
But 14238 was different.
#chsconf2025
Next speaker, Nancy Weiss, is talking through a case study: Executive Order 14238 and the Institute of Museum and Library Services
#chsconf2025
Reactions:
-Congress has seemingly acquiesced (not asserted power of purse; recess for 7 weeks)
-Courts: Mixed bag (lower = more willing to restrict; SCOTUS has not yet substantively restricted)
-Public popularity: ???
#chsconf2025
A close cousin of executive orders = presidential declarations. They allow for invocation of other emergency authorities. E.g. Tariff case pending with SCOTUS
Theme = deference to executive authority.
#chsconf2025
More recently, SCOTUS has embraced the theory. Current case in front of SCOTUS -- Trump v. Slaughter -- on FTC independence. #chsconf2025
New Deal "broke" that theory with creation of FTC, Fed Reserve, etc. -- and SCOTUS rejected the theory in the 1930s.
#chsconf2025
The Unitary Executive Theory says that all of the exec. authority in the US is "vested" in the president.
Two parts:
1. President has complete authority over subordinate exec actions
2. Congress may not create independent executive action
#chsconf2025
