This episode of the Libro.fm podcast features an interview with Amanda Jones, a school librarian and anti-censorship advocate whose book That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America became a national bestseller.
Amanda discusses her decision to write the book, the process of narrating the audiobook version, and the importance of combating book bans and censorship in libraries and schools. She provides advice for starting grassroots organizations to fight book bans and shares insights on navigating the complex issues around representation and censorship in literary collections.
Listen to the full episode
The people that are screaming for book bans are so loud and they’re so mean and hateful. So when you can get…an alliance together that can fight back, it’s easier because there’s strength in numbers. It takes someone in the community to step up and say, all right, we’re going to form this organization, or follow my lead.
—Amanda Jones on the Libro.fm Podcast
Use the promo code SWITCH when signing up for a new Libro.fm membership to get two additional credits to use on any audiobooks—meaning you’ll have three from the start.
About our guest
Amanda Jones has been an educator for 24 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.
Audiobooks discussed on today’s episode
Little Women
By Louisa May Alcott • Narrated by C. M. Hébert
Banned Together
By Ashley Hope Pérez
All Friends Are Necessary
By Tomas Moniz • Narrated by Andrew Joseph Perez
Creep
By Emma van Straaten • Narrated by Hanako Footman
