“We should ALL want the freedom to read what we want and have access to reading materials from a variety of viewpoints. Protecting our libraries is exactly how we do that. The attack on librarians and libraries is shameful and something everyone should fear.” (p. 11)
Amanda Jones, who wrote that belief in That Librarian, tells the story of how her life was upended when she ran afoul of a local group called Citizens for a New Louisiana–part of a far-right, nationwide movement that targets authors, books, librarians and institutions considered too liberal, too permissive, and too inclusive.
Thousands of books have been banned in the United States as schools and libraries are under attack by conservative groups. Amanda Jones found herself the target of a brutal and vicious social media campaign that accused her of grooming perverts and pedophilia, of encouraging children to engage in anal sex, and encouraging gender changes. Amanda Jones was attacked by neighbors she had known for years and had once considered friends. Parents of children Amanda had taught brought accusations that she was threatening their children with dangerous books.
The allegations were false, but that didn’t matter to the hostile groups. Amanda’s long record of dedicated public service, deep community ties, and Christian affiliation provided no protection, either as the attacks against her and the books she defended increased. Jones experienced such anxiety, depression, and fear that she needed a leave of absence from the job she loved. Her family suffered from the angry phone calls. Amanda Jones received death threats. Jones considered retreating from public view, but she chose to defend her reputation and stand for the principles she believed in by confronting the forces trying to drive her into hiding.
Along with filing a defamation lawsuit, Amanda Jones organized other librarians across the country by networking and defending books these malicious groups seek to ban. We all should protect the value of information, free inquiry, and the libraries that provide them. That Librarian is a moving story of a woman standing up for freedom. Very moving! GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Liars and buzzards and trolls, oh my — 1
How we got here — 20
Here, there, everywhere — 39
WWJ: What would Judy do? — 61
(Wo)man in the mirror — 78
Hell hath no fury like a librarian scorned — 91
The battle begins : initial court proceedings — 103
Are you there Michelle? It’s me, Amanda : it’s hard to go high when the haters go so low — 123
The mob song — 135
Some people are ride or die, some people aren’t — 147
The longevity of hate — 167
Think of the children — 184
It’s raining sin, Hallelujah — 202
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times — 215
What you can do in your own community — 234
Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle — 248
My July 19, 2022, speech to the Livingston Parish Library Board of Control — 255
Acknowledgments — 259
Bibliography — 263
