Courage, Gratitude & Civic Engagement
Courage, Gratitude & Civic Engagement
I recently finished reading That Librarian by Amanda Jones. About the same time, I listened to a Carleton College podcast featuring former Congressman Dean Phillips of Minnesota, once a candidate for the US Presidency. The Congressman urged students in his audience to pursue three qualities in their lives: Courage, Gratitude, and Civic Engagement. Those words stuck with me since they were exactly the qualities Amanda Jones was demonstrating in her heroic effort to stop far right advocates from destroying public libraries and the lives of librarians and others who value access to knowledge through libraries.
As a dedicated public school librarian and avid reader, Jones responded to an announcement that her local library board would be discussing book content and signage. As a concerned citizen, she thought the issue of censorship of content addressing marginalized communities might be under consideration.
In her comments to the board, she explained how censorship and relocating books makes it difficult for those most in need of accurate information to find what they need. She pointed out that libraries need to serve all members of the community, not just those of a particular ideology or religion.
Despite the presence of many citizens expressing similar views at the library board meeting, she was singled out for harassment by pro-censorship activists. They falsely accused her of grooming children sexually. Their hateful messages were spread through social media, resulting in accusations and threats directed toward Jones, her family and friends.
The book That Librarian describes the journey Jones has gone through since that fateful board meeting on July 19, 2022. To reclaim her reputation and to try to stop the attacks she and others have experienced, she brought a defamation lawsuit against the two individuals who appeared to be the ringleaders of the harassment campaign. Not wanting it to appear that she was seeking any personal gain, she sued for only $1 in damages, an admission that the allegations were false, and an apology. Her case is still ongoing. Status reports are posted to her website.
The value of reading That Librarian isn’t primarily because of the heart-wrenching story of the ordeal she has faced. Her experiences are upsetting and repetitive, and took an emotional toll. To me, the importance of the story is as an illustration of a life lived according to the values Congressman Phillips mentioned: Courage, Gratitude, and Civic Engagement. The book is also a warning for anyone who believes in the value of books and libraries. There is a movement afoot, across our country, to censor, privatize or close libraries and to demonize professional librarians as people dangerous for children. This pro-censorship movement is led by people referred to as White Christian Nationalists and a variety of advocacy groups and individuals, especially Moms for Liberty.
In addition to drawing attention to this threat to our community resources, Amanda Jones provides tools for combatting censorship. Chapter 15 of That Librarian is entitled “What You Can Do in Your Own Community.” It’s a “how-to” description of steps small and large that can be taken locally in support of libraries and librarians.
Suggestions include:
1. Attend school board, library board and local governance meetings. Take notes. Listen for key expressions that help identify those who are pro-censorship.
2. Follow social media accounts of elected officials and take screenshots to document any extremist views.
3. Use your state government’s website to look up politicians and their donors. Follow the money and you will find the motives.
4. Vote in every election.
5. Join alliances that support libraries.
In the words of Congressman Phillips, have the courage to stand up for what is right, express gratitude for what you have and for those who serve the public good, and participate in civic life on behalf of the values you hold dear. Amanda Jones has done each of those things and others should follow her example.