Librarian and Anti-Censorship Activist Amanda Jones Tells Her Story

In summer season 2022, Louisiana college librarian Amanda Jones stood up on the Livingston Parish Public Library board assembly and spoke out in opposition to proposed e-book bans. Her speech, which might be learn in full right here, talked concerning the position of the library for the group and wove in not solely her data as a librarian however as a long-time group member. The ensuing hours and days concerned her picture and speech being blasted throughout native right-wing teams, together with claims that she advocated for giving youngsters pornography and instructing 6-year-olds about anal intercourse.

Jones responded by submitting a defamation lawsuit.

Though the preliminary lawsuit was dismissed, Jones and her lawyer appealed the choice in September 2023. If she wins this attraction, she’s going to have the ability to deliver her swimsuit to trial. The determination might come at any time.

“I have spent tens of thousands of dollars and we are nowhere near finished. It’s no wonder more people do not fight back,” defined Jones.

Jones didn’t cease her anti-censorship work with the speech or with the lawsuit. Indeed, if something, this second was one which catalyzed her into taking her combat even broader. Without query, Jones is now among the many most outspoken and well-known anti-censorship and anti-book ban advocates doing the work proper now.

Among her achievements during the last yr embrace creating the Livingston Parish Library Alliance; cofounding the Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship; lobbying within the state of Louisiana in opposition to censorship payments and killing two anti-library payments; talking at over 20 conferences and webinars to assist librarians in their very own advocacy and mental freedom work; being honored with the 2023 AASL Intellectual Freedom Award, ALA’s Paul Howard Award for Courage, the Louisiana Library Association Intellectual Freedom Award, and the ALA IFRT Paul Immroth Memorial Award; and if that weren’t sufficient, Jones has written a e-book about her experiences. That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Bans in America can be printed on August 27, 2024.

“I am very proud of [That Librarian] and it was cathartic to write,” says Jones. “It covers my ordeal of being defamed and targeted for speaking out in my own small community, draws the curtain back on some of the behind-the-scenes politics and dark money funding these extremists, and offers advice on how to conquer censorship attempts in your own communities. It is a cross between a memoir and manifesto.”

Jones retains her eye on the heartbeat of censorship information throughout her residence state in addition to the nation. Two tales of specific curiosity to her proper now are enjoying out in Louisiana and in Kentucky. The St. Tammany Library Alliance just lately noticed e-book banners withdraw their 200 complaints, and Jones calls them a “force to be reckoned with.”

In Murfreesboro, Kentucky, the city’s latest—and since repealed—decency ordinance performed a key position within the elimination of a number of LGBTQ+ books from the Rutherford County Public Library. Jones had the chance to satisfy with the Rutherford County Library Alliance in November and hopes they’ll pursue litigation in opposition to the Rutherford County Library Board of Control for First and Fourteenth Amendment violations.

“I am also paying special attention to the lawsuit by the Missouri ACLU, MLA, and MASL in Missouri against their new book banning law that threatens librarians with jail time and $2,000 fines,” she added. “I’m hoping the law, which is vague and is causing soft censorship in school libraries, is declared unconstitutional.”

Jones is inspired by the eye being paid each by professionals and common residents to ongoing censorship. It’s been a protracted combat, however it’s one anybody can be part of at their very own degree. It begins by staying abreast of creating tales, noticing tendencies, and displaying as much as help establishments like public libraries and colleges.

Then, she says, look proper in your individual group to see the place and how these issues may be enjoying out.

“Be aware of local agenda items and speak out when you see lies being circulated around your own communities,” she mentioned. “If you are afraid to speak out, at least attend the meetings. Those of us actively engaged need the support of others. Attending and applauding at the right moments can be just as important as publicly speaking. It shows strength in numbers.”

She additionally reminds library staff and educators to make use of their voices too. Now is just not the time to be scared into silence nor complicity—and certainly, there are advocates on the market, each close to and far, who’re devoted to creating certain you might be secure and you’re seen as consultants in your individual job.

Moreover, this work is about guaranteeing that all the folks in our communities are seen and valued.

“For the sake of our children and the future of our country, we cannot let them. Our silence would be our compliance and we cannot be complicit in the continued othering and marginalization of some of our most vulnerable community members.”

Even although the standing of her attraction stays within the air, Jones is aware of that it’s however one piece of the bigger story of advocating for the mental freedom rights of all.

“Regardless of what happens in court, I have already won by standing up for myself and standing up for the rights of all readers to see themselves in the books on our library’s shelves. My hope is that it will inspire others to also take a stand for what is right.”

That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America is out there for preorder and can be printed on August 27.

About That Librarian

Part memoir, half manifesto, the inspiring story of a Louisiana librarian advocating for inclusivity on the entrance strains of our vicious tradition wars.

One of the issues small-town librarian Amanda Jones values most about books is how they will affirm a teen’s sense of self. So in 2022, when she caught wind of an area public listening to that might talk about “book content,” she knew what was at stake. Schools and libraries nationwide have been bombarded by calls for for books with LGBTQ+ references, discussions of racism, and extra to be purged from the cabinets. Amanda could be damned if her group have been to ban tales representing minority teams. She spoke out that night time on the assembly. Days later, she woke as much as a nightmare that’s nonetheless ongoing.

Amanda Jones has been referred to as a groomer, a pedo, and a porn pusher; she has confronted dying threats and assaults from strangers and mates alike. Her determination to help a set of books with numerous views made her a goal for extremists utilizing e-book banning campaigns funded by darkish cash organizations and superior by hard-right politicians in a campaign to make America extra white, straight, and Christian. But Amanda Jones wouldn’t quit with no combat: she sued her harassers for defamation and urged others to affix her within the resistance.

Mapping the e-book banning disaster occurring all throughout the nation, That Librarian attracts the battle strains within the warfare in opposition to fairness and inclusion, calling e-book lovers all over the place to rise in protection of our readers.

About Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones is a 23-year educator and college librarian from Louisiana. She is the 2021 School Library Journal Librarian of the Year, a 2021 Library Journal Mover and Shaker, and the 2020 Louisiana School Librarian of the Year. She serves because the Louisiana Library Association’s Councilor to the ALA, is the present Past President of the Louisiana Association of School Librarians, and is Assistant Director for Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship. Follow her combat for mental freedom at librarianjones.com.

Social Media: Twitter/X @abmack33

Website: https://librarianjones.com/