Movie Night: The Librarians
As part of “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America,” we invite you to a free screening of “The Librarians,” the Emmy-winning documentary from Peabody Award-winning director Kim A. Snyder. The film follows school and public librarians in Texas, Florida and beyond as they find themselves at the center of a national fight over book bans, intellectual freedom and the right to read.
After the film, stay for a brief discussion about what these local battles reveal about free expression and civic life in American democracy.
About the Film
In 2021, Texas state Rep. Matt Krause sent school districts a list of about 850 books, many about race and LGBTQ+ lives, and asked which were on their shelves. Within months, book challenges were spreading nationwide. “The Librarians” follows the people caught on the front lines, including Amanda Jones in Louisiana, Martha Hickson in New Jersey and Suzette Baker in Texas, as they build a network to defend the right to read.
The film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and won the 2026 Primetime Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
| RUNNING TIME | 92 minutes, followed by about 20 minutes of discussion |
| AUDIENCE | The film deals with book challenges, threats and harassment, and is best suited to teens and adults |
| PARKING | Free parking is available on site |
