By Andrew “The Pickleball Librarian” Evans
As a librarian, I remember how the Patriot Act of 2001 gave law enforcement such sweeping powers where they could access people’s library records without a warrant. I advised my boss in my law library to be ready to come in if I’m ever asked to turn over people’s library records without a warrant because I’d rather go to jail first. I believe a patron’s privacy rights extend to their reading records and preferences.
I never had to put my convictions to the test, but “That Librarian” Amanda Jones did!
She was a school librarian who attended a meeting on censorship at her local public library. She didn’t even work at that library, yet she stood up against banning books. Within days, the book banning community turned against her! They attacked her personally and defamed her on multiple levels and platforms. Instead of backing down, she fought back.
It’s more than just a memoir. Jones shares the origin and motivation behind the current movement of book banning going on across our country. She also shares her personal faith and beliefs on how a Christian should act. She provides a lot of information and advice on how to deal with the current white Christian nationalist movement. If you pay attention to what is being banned, it’s often things that are not what you usually think about. Many books are being banned because of the ideals and who they represent. “What I see is an effort to ban books by specific authors, or with characters, who are not white Christians. More specifically, pro censors are going after stories with characters and authors from the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities.” (BIPOC stands for black, indigenous, and people of color).
Books should give us windows into the lives of others. Unfortunately, white Christian nationalists only want people to see their own worldview.
I recommend folks follow Amanda‘s steps of what to do when somebody claims the public library has sexually explicit books in the children’s section. First of all, it’s not true! Then we need to ask them for the title of the actual book, check out the book and read it for ourselves. Ask if that person has a hidden motive, see if they or a family member is running for office, see if they need attention because something is missing in their life, and ask a librarian!
In addition to good advice and common sense, this book kept me engaged. Parts of it were so funny that I was laughing out loud like her term “Turdtastic Crappery.”
She also uses a lot of song and literary references that inspired her in chapter titles. One of them is WWJD. That stands for “what would Jesus do?” Incidentally, that saying was introduced in 1896 by Topeka minister Charles Shelton.
I loved Jones’s step-by-step on how to deal with people who attack you, how to fight censorship, how to support your public library, and how to form alliances.
I have often said this book should be read by everybody in library school! It’s a textbook for librarians and a how to guide for those who love books and the freedom to read! I recommend this book to all freedom loving Americans and book lovers!! My copy of this book is heavily highlighted!!
“When put to the test, I passed with flying colors, and I am proud to be a librarian who practices what I preach. I continue to speak out at all public library board meetings. After all of this has gone down, I still go back to where it all started for the same reasons, to uphold readers’ rights, despite putting myself at the same risk of criticism and attack. It’s the right thing to do, and I stand by it. I work with the members of our public library alliance for the betterment of my our community and have forged lifelong bonds with like-minded individuals in my parish. I discovered I have more friends than I ever imagined I’d have.”
I used to look up to the statements of musicians like Frank Zappa, D Snyder, and John Denver when they testified against censorship in front of Congress in 1985. They are heroes! Their words were some of the most American things I’ve ever heard. You can find them on YouTube. https://youtu.be/hgAF8Vu8G0w?si=LNFZgh5gitbUBr13
Another speech to add to the most patriotic and American words ever been spoken is Amanda’s speech to her local library: https://assets.newlouisiana.org/livingston/library/amanda-jones-statement.pdf
While I enjoy reading her book, I also enjoyed the audio version of “That Librarian.” Most publishers prefer to have a professional narrator for their authors. However, Jones is a very passionate and emphatic person and it shows in her book and recording. She pauses at the right times and just uses the right emphasis to prove her points. You can feel the sincerity in her voice. I had to ask if a lot of retakes were needed on the recorded version because I could tell she was emotional during many parts. She said, “It was tough.” Her heart and soul went into sharing her story. Just like how she passionately defended everyone’s right to read.
When I introduced myself to Jones at an author event, she shared how someone asked her if she has ever met the Pickleball Librarian. That made my day! Thank you to the American Libraries Magazine (we were both featured in that publication at different times) and American Library Association for helping us librarians network.
I highly recommend “That Librarian” to all adult readers, especially those who want to defend the right to read. This would also make an excellent choice for book clubs with so much material to discuss.
