Mya Smith is a Duval County, Florida, high school student. When she learned that she could not borrow books from her school library, she met the reality of book bans head on–and she decided to do something to help her fellow students understand what was being taken from them and others across the country. 

Samira Ahmed is a New York Times Bestselling author and leader within Authors Against Book Bans. In this episode, she goes deep on the importance of curiosity, the power of small actions taken locally, and why one of the most common questions that arises about book bans is ultimately not important. 

Through collective action, we create change. Emily Drabinski talks why union philosophies are crucial to literary advocacy; the tweet heard round the world and what it says about American political fears; and how we utilize the tools available to protect libraries, library workers, and access to literature. 

Serena Jamison is a library trustee in suburban Chicago. On this episode of Liberating Lit, she talks about why we need local-level advocacy, the power of getting to know your neighbors, and the role and responsibility of being a trustee during a time of coordinated attacks on libraries–and why it’s important she does this work as a trans woman.

On this episode of Liberating Lit, Marley Dias talks about being a young literary advocate, growing in her work from 1,000 Black Girl books, and the power of sharing your message and passion with young people. 

That Librarian Amanda Jones talks about the mental health realities of fighting censorship, influential leaders and literature that have guided her work, and why she believes the pendulum is swinging back in favor of the freedom to read.

For the second episode of Liberating Lit, get to know the work of Dr. Emily Knox. Knox’s expansive knowledge and experience with book censorship across American history informs so much of the work being done nationwide by advocates–including current and future librarians working in the field.

Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson has been tracking book bans since 2021. But her work is much more than simply counting–it’s helping motivate other people nationwide to get to work protecting the right to read. This is her story.

Kelly Jensen introduces the new limited run podcast Liberating Lit, a show about book censorship and literary advocacy.

It All Begins Here