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Amanda Jones in Conversation with Amelia Robinson about Banned Books!
“Amanda Jones started getting death threats, all for standing up for our right to read . . . but she's not stopped fighting against book bans or stopped advocating for access to diverse stories.”--Oprah Winfrey, in a speech at the 2023 National Book Awards.
One of the things small town librarian Amanda Jones values most about books is how they can affirm a young person's sense of self. So, in 2022, when she caught wind of a local public hearing that would discuss “book content,” she knew what was at stake. Schools and libraries nationwide have been bombarded by demands for books with LGTBQ+ references, discussions of racism, and more to be purged from the shelves. Amanda would be damned if her community were to ban stories representing minority groups. She spoke out that night at the meeting. Days later, she woke up to a nightmare that is still ongoing.
Amanda Jones has been called a groomer, a pedo, and a porn-pusher; she has faced death threats and attacks from strangers and friends alike. Her decision to support a collection of books with diverse perspectives made her a target for extremists using book banning campaigns-funded by dark money organizations and advanced by hard right politicians-in a crusade to make America more white, straight, and "Christian." But Amanda Jones wouldn't give up without a fight: she sued her harassers for defamation and urged others to join her in the resistance. Mapping the book banning crisis occurring across the nation, That Librarian draws the battle lines in the war against equity and inclusion, calling book lovers everywhere to rise in defense of our readers.
That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America is Jones's love letter to libraries, reading, and intellectual freedom, as well as a testament to her incredible resilience in the face of danger and hatred. This part-memoir, part-handbook is both an intimate look at how she and her family have endured threats and harassment and an insightful glimpse into library procedures and legislation. Jones includes numerous screenshots, photos, and e-mails that, together, present a profound and layered image of the landscape of contemporary book banning. Interspersed through the facts and advice are tender, personal anecdotes and inspiring interactions with the children she has taught over the years.
Amanda Jones has been an educator for 23 years, at the same middle school she attended as a child. She has served as President of the Louisiana Association of School Librarians and won numerous awards for her work in school libraries, including School Library Journal Librarian of the Year. A sought-after keynote speaker, Amanda is a frequent volunteer for state and national library associations, as well as a co-founder of the Livingston Parish Library Alliance and founding member of Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship. She lives in Livingston Parish, Louisiana.
Cleveland native Amelia Robinson was named the Columbus Dispatch's opinion and community engagement editor in early 2021. She soon launched “Columbus Conversations,” a digital town hall series on issues important to the community, and the “Then What Happened” podcast. Robinson spent 21 years at the Dayton Daily News after a three-year stint at the Mansfield News Journal. She has won numerous awards for column, editorial and feature writing and is an avid community volunteer. A 2020 Kiplinger Program fellow, Robinson is a founding member and former long-time president of the Greater Dayton Association of Black Journalists. She resides in the Brewery District with her husband and cats.
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