That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America

A taste of the emotional toll librarians, teachers, and library staff have been subject to for the better part of a decade in regard to book banning. After the pandemic began to recede, groups started seeking to destroy reputations of libraries as institutions, as well as librarians and library workers, based on out-of-context, flawed, and often inaccurate bits of information, in the name of protecting children. Amanda Jones became a target after publicly speaking out against book banning in her town. In this memoir she relates her experiences since then, including her decision to sue her harassers for defamation, and also offers readers advice for what they can do in their own communities. This book is specific to Jones’s experience, and her voice is strong throughout. Whether readers are librarians and can resonate with parts of Jones’s story, or they’ve picked up this book because they are genuinely curious about what’s really happening with book banning in America’s schools and libraries, they will find themselves nodding along at certain moments and gasping at others. Back matter includes the full text of Jones’s speech at the public library, which was the catalyst for the experiences she writes about in this book. And like any good librarian, she includes sources.