LIVINGSTON PARISH, La. — Amanda Jones, a middle school librarian with Livingston Parish Public Schools, has been named to TIME Magazine's 2025 TIME100 Next list, joining 99 other emerging leaders from around the world who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, and activism.
The recognition comes three years after Jones became a national figure in the fight against book censorship, transforming personal adversity into a platform for defending intellectual freedom in libraries across America.
"I'm deeply honored to be named to the TIME100 Next list," Jones told School Library Journal. "This recognition is not just about me—it's about the urgent importance of standing up for intellectual freedom."
Jones, who has served as an educator in Louisiana for over two decades, first gained national attention in July 2022 when she spoke at a Livingston Parish Public Library Board meeting opposing efforts to ban books with LGBTQ+ themes. Her testimony sparked a fierce backlash that included harassment, death threats, and a defamation campaign by conservative advocacy groups.
Rather than backing down, Jones filed a defamation lawsuit against Citizens for a New Louisiana and became one of the first librarians in the country to seek legal recourse against book-banning advocates. Though the initial case was dismissed in 2022, the Louisiana Supreme Court allowed her lawsuit to proceed in 2024.
Jones's TIME100 profile was written by actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who served as executive producer for "The Librarians," a documentary featuring Jones and other librarians fighting censorship nationwide.
"Through it all, Amanda has never wavered on her commitment to free speech and education," Parker wrote in TIME Magazine. "She has become a national voice for intellectual freedom and democracy, receiving awards from both the American Library Association and the American Association of School Librarians in 2023."
Parker added: "Libraries are the heartbeat of our communities. An essential gateway for information and self-discovery. It has been a privilege to get to know Amanda through her work and the upcoming documentary 'The Librarians.' She is beyond deserving of wider recognition."
Before becoming a household name in library advocacy circles, Jones had already established herself as a leader in her field. She was named School Library Journal's 2021 School Librarian of the Year and currently serves as President of the Louisiana Association of School Librarians.
In 2023 alone, Jones received multiple prestigious awards including the American Association of School Librarians' Intellectual Freedom Award and the American Library Association's Paul Howard Award for Courage, which honors individuals who have exhibited unusual courage for the benefit of library programs or services, according to her Wikipedia page.
Last year, Jones published "That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America" through Bloomsbury Publishing. The memoir documents her experience with harassment and makes a powerful case for protecting intellectual freedom. The book became a bestseller and earned praise from notable figures including Oprah Winfrey, who highlighted Jones's work during the 2023 National Book Awards Ceremony.
"Amanda Jones started getting death threats, all for standing up for our right to read," Winfrey said, according to Wikipedia. "But she's not stopped fighting against book bans, or stopped advocating for access to diverse stories."
Despite the personal toll—Jones has spoken publicly about the severe anxiety and health impacts of the harassment she endured—she remains committed to her advocacy work.
"The right to read, to learn, and to access information must never be taken for granted," Jones said in a statement to School Library Journal.
Jones told WashU Libraries that her community has responded with overwhelming support now that her full story is known. She has received hundreds of messages from community members, former students, and librarians across America.
"I refuse to back down from bullies and will always speak out for intellectual freedom and the future of our libraries," Jones said in a statement to Louisiana Voice. "Libraries are the heart of democracy—they protect access to knowledge, ideas, and community for all."
Jones's recognition comes at a pivotal time for American libraries. According to American Library Association data cited by WashU Libraries, book challenges in 2023 were 65% higher compared to 2022 numbers, with challenges disproportionately targeting books with LGBTQ+ or BIPOC themes, characters, or authors.
The TIME100 Next list, now in its sixth year, recognizes individuals who are using their platforms and influence to shape the future. This year's honorees include WNBA star Paige Bueckers, actor David Corenswet, and Louisiana native country music star Lainey Wilson.
For Jones, a resident of her small Louisiana town and the product of its schools, the journey from local librarian to TIME100 honoree represents both a personal triumph and a call to action for communities nationwide.
"I want every kid to know that many people in the community love them for who they are," Jones told Ms. Magazine. "I understand that silence is complicity and I refuse to be silent."
