In 2021, Amanda Jones was named School Library Journal’s School Librarian of the Year. In 2022, she was receiving harassment and death threats for defending her students’ right to read. Not content to idly let that fly, Amanda took her harassers to court and sued them for defamation, and while her case was dismissed, her cause carries on.
Amanda will discuss the inspiration behind her book, the importance of libraries in fostering access to information, and why unrestricted access to ideas and information is crucial for a healthy democracy. With firsthand experience of the challenges librarians face in today’s polarized climate, Amanda will offer a candid look at the intersection of censorship, education, and the right to explore ideas freely. Whether you're passionate about literature, education, or protecting intellectual freedom, this conversation will offer vital insights into the fight to preserve the core values that libraries represent.