Louisiana Voice

Amanda Jones

The Livingston Parish school librarian/author who took on the parish council, its hand-picked library board of control and those who would censor literature has added yet another award, this one national, to her impressive curriculum vitae.

Amanda Jones, with 25 years of work as a school librarian, has been named as one of Time100 Next, a recognition of influential people considered to be emerging leaders who are helping to shape the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, health, science and activism.

She burst into prominence as a mere audience member during heated discussions about censoring libraries in Livingston Parish. An effort by outside agitators brought about the dissolution of the existing library board, replaced by members of the parish council’s own choice and which has since been sued by Attorney General Liz Murrill for violating the state’s open meeting laws.

Jones stood up against backlash from a loud element, people who probably never set foot inside a library but who wanted to be in on any protests by radical right-wingers who were convinced that drag queens were somehow more dangerous to kids than the criminals who traffic them.

Her struggles against the outside influencers pushed her to write a book, That Librarian, that was promoted by Oprah Winfrey and which was recently optioned for a film. It was a National Independent and USA Today bestseller upon its release in hardcover and has been released in paperback.

Jones was also featured in the documentary The Librarians, by Oscar-nominated director Kim Snyder. The executive producer of the documentary was Sarah Jessica Parker. Even before the local library controversy, Jones was named the 2020 and 2021 Louisiana School Librarian of the Year. She also co-founded Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship.

The Washington Independent Review of Books said, “Amanda Jones is a badass because she’s holding down the fort while the fort is under attack. She advocates for social justice and the democratic right to exchange ideas and information. Even though she has endured intense hate campaigns for defending basic principles of freedom, she stands tall and persists … That Librarian is a revelation. But it’s more than an exposé about hate and its effects on principled people. It’s also a gripping memoir… In Amanda Jones, the American public has a bold truth-teller who has given us something important in That Librarian.”

When contacted by LouisianaVoice, Jones said, “I’m Honored to be named to the Time 100 Next list. I refuse to back down from bullies and will always speak out for intellectual freedom and the future of our libraries.Libraries are the heart of democracy—they protect access to knowledge, ideas, and community for all. This recognition is not just about me—it’s the result of the courage and commitment of so many in Louisiana. I dedicate this honor to every resident fighting for their libraries and for the freedom to read. Together, we are stronger.”