Amanda Jones never set out to be an activist. As an award-winning librarian and educator in her small Louisiana hometown, she had sought to shape the minds of and inspire the love of reading in her students. But when the book bans sweeping our nation came to her front door, she realized the importance of using her position and privilege to speak out for free speech.

Amanda Jones joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about the growing issue of book bans across the United States. Amanda discusses her personal journey from being a school librarian to becoming an advocate against censorship, and about the hateful backlash she faced as a result of speaking out. Jay and Amanda also speak about the political forces fueling book bans, the importance of representation in literature, and how she used her experience to author a powerful memoir and start a non-profit aiming to empower communities to build and sustain their own libraries.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Amanda Jones

(00:20) The Role of Libraries in Communities

(01:45) Misconceptions About Curating Library Content

(03:00) Amanda’s Background and Activism Journey

(10:27) Facing Backlash for Speaking Out

(13:14) Ongoing Legal Battles

(16:28) Mental Health and Support Systems

(20:32) National Perspective on Book Bans

(21:41) The Importance of Representation in Literature

(24:19) Political Influence on Libraries

(27:29) Non-Profit Initiatives for Libraries

(29:49) Advice for Standing Up Against Book Bans

(32:14) Conclusion and Credits

For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at www.jayruderman.com.