By C.J. Hirschfield
I know that I live in a bubble—my liberal community’s libraries don’t ban books, and even offer drag queen story time. But outside of this bubble exists a very real and growing threat to the flow of ideas that none of us can afford to ignore.
Be very afraid when a compelling new documentary often quotes from the dystopian novel Farenheit 451, and shows Nazis burning books as often as it does in an attempt to reflect current events. The parallels are both appropriate and chilling.
The Librarians is a production of Independent Lens and PBS, directed by award-winning producer/director Kim A. Snyder and executive produced by actor Sarah Jessica Parker, currently playing in theaters. It squarely positions librarians as “first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment rights” as waves of book bans race across the nation.
Communities in Texas provide the main focus of this battle. The state’s Krause list targets 850 books, most of which feature authors of color or LGBTQ+ themes, focusing on race, sexuality, and history. But Texas is not alone—the trend is increasing.
Books banned. Courtesy of 8 Above & THE LIBRARIANS documentary, DP Paulius Kontijevas
This ambitious documentary takes on a lot in its attempt to paint a picture of how and why this effort continues to move forward. Librarians have been harassed, threatened, and even accused of criminal activity in their attempts to allow access to intellectual freedom and the diversity of viewpoints. One librarian was driven to carry a weapon. In the town of Keller, Texas, 20 out of 40 school librarians were fired for their reluctance to remove books from the shelves.
Martha Hickson testifying in court.Courtesy of 8 Above & THE LIBRARIANS documentary, DP Paulius Kontijevas
We are shown contentious school and library board meetings in which the views of both sides are fairly represented. The Librarians attempts to show that these fights are not random; that powerful political forces are driving the bans of such books as The Color Purple, the graphic novel version of The Diary of Anne Frank, and the kids’ book that features male bunnies getting married. Of particular concern is the Moms for Liberty organization, whose Christian theocracy views are clearly articulated in the film (they position themselves as representing parental rights), and whose funding is not required to be disclosed. Their powerful political influence is suggested by the presence at their national conference of Donald Trump and Rick DeSantis.
A particularly compelling story told in The Librarians is of young gay man whose mother is on the opposite side of the fight, and who haven’t spoken in years. It is both sad and painful—but also inspiring—to see younger people take up the fight for their right to intellectual freedom.
Julie Miller with ALA Library Bill of Rights. Courtesy of 8 Above & THE LIBRARIANS documentary, DP David Allen
In this important film, one librarian calls this “the civil rights fight of our time.”
And another: “If you can control the library, you can control the community.”
The Librarians is screening across the U.S. Check here for upcoming showings. Updated regularly. If you don;t see it coming to your town, ask youer local independent cinema to book it. Or host a screening. Find out how here.
Kim A. Snyder is an Academy Award® nominee and Peabody Award-winning Director / Producer whose latest feature, THE LIBRARIANS, premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and is now released globally in 120+ cities. Her Oscar-nominated short DEATH BY NUMBERS, co-created with gun-violence survivor Sam Fuentes, has won multiple awards. Snyder’s acclaimed films include US KIDS (Sundance 2020), LESSONS FROM A SCHOOL SHOOTING (Netflix Original), and NEWTOWN (Sundance 2016, Peabody Award, PBS). Her earlier work includes WELCOME TO SHELBYVILLE (PBS) and I REMEMBER ME (Zeitgeist Films). She also associate produced the Oscar-winning short TREVOR, which spawned The Trevor Project. Snyder holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins SAIS and lives in New York City.
Filmmaker Statement:
“Growing up, books and libraries saved me, shaping my belief in intellectual freedom. I remember organizing my books in rural Pennsylvania, inspired by the Dewey Decimal system. When I first heard about the Krause List in Texas in October 2021, targeting books on race, sexuality, and gender, I knew I had to act.
The Librarians begins in Texas, ground zero for the rising wave of book bans, and takes viewers to Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, and beyond to reveal the full scope and toll of this censorship crisis. New laws threaten librarians nationwide, but a united resistance is forming among parents, and young readers.
Our team believes this story must be told now to remind us of the core principles that uphold democracy. The brave librarians at the frontlines are risking their careers and freedom to protect access to information and defend our rights. This battle is about representation, freedom, and the preservation of our most basic constitutional rights.”
LINKS & SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES
Website: www.thelibrariansfilm.com
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34966678/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLibrariansFilm
Instagram: @thelibrariansfilm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLibrariansFilm
https://www.facebook.com/kasnyderfilms/
BlueSky: @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
Twitter/X: @librariansFilm
C.J. Hirschfield recently retired after 17 years as Executive Director of Children’s Fairyland, where she was charged with the overall operation of the nation’s first storybook theme park. Prior to that, she served as an executive in the cable television industry where she produced two series, ran San Francisco’s public access channel and advocated on behalf of the industry. A former writer for Film Month, she also penned a weekly column for the Piedmont Post for 13 years and now writes features and reviews for EatDrinkFilms. C.J. holds a degree in Film and Broadcasting from Stanford University.
Hirschfield currently serves on the programming team for the Appreciating Diversity Film series showing free documentaries in Oakland and Piedmont, as well as on the advisory board of Youth Beat, a youth media training program that provides low-income Oakland students with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in today’s workforce.
C.J. says, “A good documentary takes us places we never could never have imagined, and changes the way we see the world.”
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