Amanda Jones: The Fight Against Book Banning in America

Libraries: A Story of Books, Librarians, and the Fight for Free Thought

Since childhood, books and libraries have been my sanctuary, my escape, and my gateway to endless knowledge. It all started in elementary school when I first discovered that pages weren’t just filled with words—they held secrets waiting to be uncovered. Books were my passport to other worlds, my window into different perspectives, and my teachers beyond the classroom.

Fast forward to today, and my love for libraries hasn’t waned. Every Sunday, I continue the tradition by taking my son to the library, ensuring that our shared literary obsession thrives across generations. There’s something truly magical about walking through those shelves, knowing that within them lies an entire universe of ideas, waiting to be explored.

I recently came across a book titled That Librarian by Amanda Jones, a dedicated librarian from a small town in Louisiana—one that could easily be any small town in America. A passionate advocate for intellectual freedom, Jones is recognized for her unwavering commitment to keeping books accessible to all readers, regardless of age, background, or beliefs.

Her advocacy, however, came at a price. In July 2022, she spoke out at a public meeting, condemning the growing movement to censor and remove books—particularly those featuring diverse perspectives on race, gender, and LGBTQ+ issues—from public libraries. She argued that limiting access to literature is a dangerous precedent, one that silences marginalized voices and restricts the ability of young readers to explore different viewpoints.

But almost immediately after taking a stand, Jones became the target of relentless online harassment, including threats, defamation, and personal attacks. Conservative groups, emboldened by the growing push for book bans, orchestrated a smear campaign against her. What should have been a debate about access to knowledge quickly turned into a digital witch hunt.

Her case is part of a disturbing trend in the United States, where librarians and educators who dare to defend the freedom to read find themselves in the crosshairs of censorship advocates. These groups claim they are protecting children from “inappropriate” material, but the reality is far more sinister—it’s about control, fear, and the erasure of ideas that challenge their worldview.

Why Was Amanda Jones Targeted by Her Community?

Amanda Jones wasn’t targeted by strangers, nor by some distant authority—she was singled out by people nearby. The same neighbors she grew up alongside, the same community she worshiped with, and the same town that once celebrated her as Louisiana’s 2021 Librarian of the Year turned against her the moment she took a stand against censorship.

It’s a tale as old as time—one that feels eerily reminiscent of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, which dramatized the Salem witch trials, where fear, ignorance, and paranoia led to the persecution of the innocent. In Salem, it was witches. Today, it’s librarians, educators, and anyone who dares to defend intellectual freedom.

Jones’ crime? Standing up for the right to read.

The Real Danger: Who Controls the Narrative?

Book bans have never been just about literature. At their core, they are about who gets to decide what ideas are acceptable. The same First Amendment rights that protect authors and librarians also give rise to “keyboard warriors“—faceless, nameless critics who wield their digital pitchforks from the safety of a screen. With a few keystrokes, these online bullies manipulate narratives, intimidate individuals, and pressure institutions into submission.

They claim to be protecting society, but in reality, they exploit fear and misinformation to force others to bend to their will. Instead of engaging in open discourse, they hide behind anonymous accounts, launching personal attacks on those who dare to defend intellectual freedom.

Amanda Jones’ experience is a stark reminder that censorship doesn’t just silence books—it silences people. It discourages educators, librarians, and even students from speaking up, fearing they will become the next target of a viral outrage campaign.

The Unsung Heroes: Why Librarians Deserve More Credit

Over the years, I’ve come to admire librarians not just as book curators, but as the ultimate keepers of wisdom, silent defenders against chaos, and the unshakable guardians of the Dewey Decimal system. Their patience is unmatched, their knowledge seemingly infinite, and their ability to maintain order in a sea of distracted visitors? Nothing short of a superpower.

Living in Canada, I count myself lucky to have access to some of the best public libraries in the world—vast temples of knowledge, each with its unique charm, the intoxicating scent of aged books, and the quiet hum of curiosity. Libraries are more than just buildings filled with books; they are cultural hubs, learning centers, and, for many, a second home.

But in recent years, these beloved institutions have found themselves under attack—not by budget cuts or lack of visitors, but by something far more dangerous: censorship.

The Fight Against Censorship: Libraries as Defenders of Free Thought

Lately, there’s been a growing movement of parents and special interest groups attempting to ban certain books from libraries—works that challenge conventional thinking, discuss difficult topics, or portray diverse perspectives. The very books that spark critical thinking, empathy, and understanding are being labeled as “dangerous” or “inappropriate.”

But here’s the thing—history has shown us that banning books doesn’t protect children. It shelters them from reality. It limits their ability to question, to grow, and to develop into independent thinkers. Libraries have always stood as a beacon of free expression, a place where all voices, even the uncomfortable ones, deserve a shelf.

Librarians have unexpectedly become soldiers in the fight for intellectual freedom. As the first line of defense against censorship, they champion diverse voices, protect the right to read, and work tirelessly to keep knowledge open and accessible to all. Education is being held hostage.

The Education System Is on Life Support

The American education system is in crisis. Teacher burnout is at an all-time high, with nearly 50% of teachers considering quitting in the next two years due to stress, political interference, and lack of support (National Education Association, 2023). At the same time, public schools face massive budget cuts, forcing districts to eliminate essential programs, including library services.

According to the American Library Association (ALA), over 2,500 book challenges were reported in 2023 alone—a record high—driven by politically motivated censorship efforts. These challenges often target books that discuss race, gender, LGBTQ+ issues, and historical injustices, replacing them with sanitized, revisionist narratives that fit a specific agenda.

Libraries: The Lifeblood of Education Under Attack

Libraries were once the plasma of education, keeping intellectual curiosity alive. But now, that lifeblood is being drained, diluted by agenda-driven censorship efforts designed to keep the population uninformed and complacent.

When books are banned, critical thinking is banned with them.

Instead of fostering curiosity and teaching students to question and analyze, we are increasingly seeing a push to limit access to knowledge. The removal of books from school libraries disproportionately affects marginalized communities. Studies show that students who have access to diverse literature demonstrate higher levels of empathy and academic success (National Literacy Trust, 2022). By erasing these stories, we aren’t just limiting their access to information—we are limiting their ability to see beyond their immediate world.

History Repeats Itself: The Danger of Censorship

It is no coincidence that throughout history, oppressive regimes have always started by controlling books:

• Nazi Germany (1933) – Thousands of books by Jewish, communist, and progressive authors were burned to suppress independent thought.
• The Soviet Union (20th Century) – Censored literature was rewritten to fit government-approved narratives.
• The United States (Today) – Books that discuss racial injustice, gender identity, and social progress are being removed from school libraries at an alarming rate.

The playbook hasn’t changed—just the tactics. Instead of public book burnings, we now have coordinated online outrage campaigns, political pressure, and fear-based rhetoric targeting educators and librarians.

The Cost of Keeping Kids in the Dark

By censoring libraries and restricting access to diverse viewpoints, we are raising a generation that does not know how to think critically. Instead of preparing students for the real world, we are conditioning them for obedience, creating an education system that teaches:

Compliance over curiosity
Memorization over analysis
Silence over discussion

A 2023 report by PEN America found that students in districts with banned books scored lower on standardized reading comprehension tests, proving that censorship has measurable academic consequences.

When students are denied access to literature that challenges perspectives, they grow up without the ability to question authority, misinformation, and propaganda—and that is exactly what those in power want.

Who Benefits From a Less Informed Society?

When education is watered down and access to diverse literature is stripped away, who wins? Certainly not the students. Instead, the beneficiaries are:

Politicians who thrive on misinformation
Corporations that benefit from an uninformed workforce
Extremist groups that seek to erase history and progress

By controlling what people read, they control what people think. And when they control what people think, they control everything.

Why Libraries Still Matter Today

In an era dominated by digital screens and online echo chambers, libraries remain a crucial part of our communities. They offer free access to knowledge, internet services, community programs, and a quiet refuge from the noise of everyday life. More than just a place to borrow books, they are spaces where minds are nurtured, imaginations are ignited, and, occasionally, where librarians wield their brand of magic.

But most importantly, libraries stand as one of the last bastions of intellectual freedom. At a time when book bans are increasing, and when schools and communities are debating what should and shouldn’t be read, libraries continue to champion the idea that knowledge should never be restricted.

Censorship in the Information Age: A Paradox of Control

We are living in what should be the greatest era of free-flowing information—a time where knowledge is more accessible than ever before. The internet was supposed to be a halcyon of ideas, where diverse perspectives could coexist, challenge, and enrich one another.

But instead of a thriving ecosystem of intellectual exchange, we are witnessing the opposite.

The same tools that could have empowered free thought are now being weaponized against it. Algorithms, social media outrage mobs, and organized censorship efforts dictate what we can and cannot read. Book bans, once the mark of authoritarian regimes, are now unfolding in small-town school board meetings across America, disguised as “protecting the children” while erasing critical perspectives on race, gender, and history.

Amanda Jones wasn’t just defending books. She was defending the fundamental right to think freely, to question, and to learn without fear of censorship. And for that, she was vilified.

Her story is not unique. It is part of a larger war on knowledge, where those who challenge the status quo are met with hostility, and where the ability to shape the future is determined by who controls the past.

The Fight for Intellectual Freedom Continues

The battle over book censorship isn’t just about what stories remain on library shelves—it’s about who gets to tell them. If we allow intimidation and harassment to dictate what can be read, we risk losing the very foundation of free thought.

Amanda Jones stood up for the right to read, and in doing so, she faced the harsh reality of modern censorship—not by a government decree, but by mob rule in the digital age. The question remains: Who will stand up next?

If we do not fight back against this modern-day book burning, we risk more than just losing access to literature—we risk losing the right to think for ourselves.

So, if you haven’t been to your local library in a while, do yourself a favor—go. Pick up a book that challenges you, read a story from a perspective different from your own, and thank a librarian for standing up for the freedom to read. You might just rediscover the magic of getting lost in a book, find a librarian who deserves a standing ovation, or even uncover a little secret of your own.

I urge you to read That Librarian—it’s a crucial book that commands your attention. What’s happening in libraries right now is a matter that concerns us all. #FReaddom