“The hate level is unreal”: fighting book bans and protecting librarians

November 15, 2024 00:29:56
“The hate level is unreal”: fighting book bans and protecting librarians
Ethical Schools
“The hate level is unreal”: fighting book bans and protecting librarians

Nov 15 2024 | 00:29:56

/

Show Notes

We speak with Amanda Jones, a school librarian in Livingston Parish, Louisiana. Ms. Jones is the author of “That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America.” The book recounts how speaking out for race- and gender-related books in libraries led to her being targeted and threatened by book-banning extremists. She describes initial abandonment by friends and colleagues who were afraid to speak up. But nationwide, librarians and their constituents are fighting back.  Ms. Jones includes tips for librarians and teachers facing attacks.

Overview

00:00-00:47 Intros

00:47-01:35 What a Library Board of Control is

01:35-02:16 What Amanda Jones said at Board of Control meeting

02:16-02:33 Trevor Project

02:33-03:19 Board of Control members’ responses

03:19-04:48 What happened then

04:48-05:38 Reactions by friends and neighbors to attacks 

05:38-06:16 Reactions from school administrators and colleagues

06:16-07:02 Changes over time

07:02-09:09 Impact on children of marginalized communities of books with characters like them

09:09-11:19 How decisions of what books to purchase for school libraries get made

11:19-11:53 Guidelines

11:53-13:58 Processes when there are book challenges

13:58-14:45 Decision process in public libraries

14:45-15:30 Appeal to courts

15:30-18:39 Impetus for book banning campaigns

18:39-20:49 Efforts to ban Palestinian books and informational events at libraries

20:49-21:41 Censorship efforts are everywhere

21:41-24:10 Where librarians can turn for help

24:10-26:01 Organizations of parents who are under attack and other supporters

26:01- Outro

Transcript

Click here to see the full transcription of this conversation. 

References

Soundtrack by Poddington Bear

Photo by © Emily Kask

Other Episodes

Episode 0

January 22, 2023 00:36:31
Episode Cover

Climate anxiety: a generational plague

We speak with Lian Zeitz, co-founder of the Climate Mental Health Network, which promotes wellness in light of the climate crisis. According to a...

Listen

Episode 0

October 30, 2019 00:43:32
Episode Cover

Paula Rogovin: Creating a social justice early childhood classroom

We speak with Paula Rogovin, who taught kindergarten and first grade in NYC public schools for 44 years. Paula empowered the youngest students to...

Listen

Episode 0

December 18, 2023 00:35:55
Episode Cover

Creating the conditions: Sustaining “caring for” education

We speak with Chris Lehmann, founding principal of Science Leadership Academy, inquiry-driven and project-based schools in Philadelphia. The academic model centers inquiry, research, collaboration,...

Listen