The Librarian Who Fought Christian Nationalist Book Bans and Won

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Nov 10, 2025

Amanda Jones, a passionate school librarian and author, fiercely advocates for literary representation against book banning. She shares her journey from a small-town upbringing in Louisiana to the forefront of a controversial battle, where she faced online harassment and threats for defending diverse books. Amanda discusses filing a defamation lawsuit, the alarming rise of political censorship tactics, and provides actionable steps for community members to support libraries. Her story highlights the critical role of literature in affirming identities and resisting oppression.

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ANECDOTE

Small-Town Librarian Roots

Amanda grew up in Watson, Louisiana, and now lives next door to her parents while working at the same middle school she attended.
She has served there 25 years and taught multiple generations, including students who are now parents of her students.

ANECDOTE

Speech That Sparked Backlash

Amanda spoke at a library board meeting stressing policy, trust in librarians, and intellectual freedom without naming any titles.
She added that her hometown's claim "God is love" felt conditional, which provoked hostility.

ANECDOTE

Targeted Online Harassment

Four days after her speech Amanda woke to targeted harassment: memes accused her of promoting sexual acts to children and labeled her a groomer.
The attack spread across social media, even reaching family members and causing severe emotional harm.

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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. The discussion delves into Amanda's story of growing up in Watson, Louisiana, her passion for literature and libraries, and the extreme harassment she faced after speaking out against book banning efforts in 2022. Amanda shares her journey, including filing a defamation lawsuit, the community's reaction, and the broader implications of book banning as a political tool. They also discuss practical steps for combatting censorship and supporting libraries.
https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/that-librarian-9781639733545/

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