September 2025 Book Club: "That Librarian" by Amanda Jones

Join Next Chapter Society Book Club on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. as we meet to discuss "That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America" by Amanda Jones. Visit the Nashville Public Library's online catalog at nashville.overdrive.com to get your copy!

One of the things small town librarian Amanda Jones values most about books is how they can affirm a young person's sense of self. So in 2022, when she caught wind of a local public hearing that would discuss “book content,” she knew what was at stake. Schools and libraries nationwide have been bombarded by demands for books with LGTBQ+ references, discussions of racism, and more to be purged from the shelves. Amanda would be damned if her community were to ban stories representing minority groups. She spoke out that night at the meeting. Days later, she woke up to a nightmare that is still ongoing.

Mapping the book banning crisis occurring all across the nation, That Librarian draws the battle lines in the war against equity and inclusion, calling book lovers everywhere to rise in defense of our readers.

Where are we meeting: Smith & Lentz Brewing and Pizza
Food menu: available here
Parking info: Parking is available in front of the brewery building, as well as marked parallel and diagonal spots on our property adjacent to 9th Avenue. Please do not park in private lots of other establishments or blocking private driveways.

Gather with some of Nashville's fellow book lovers and learn more about the Next Chapter Society, the Nashville Public Library Foundation's emerging leaders group. Even if you haven't read the book, you are still welcome to join us!