From Oscar-nominated Director and Producer Kim A. Snyder ("Death By Numbers," “Newtown,” “Us Kids”) and Executive Producer Sarah Jessica Parker, “The Librarians” takes viewers from Texas to Florida and beyond, where local libraries have become unexpected battlegrounds in a national struggle over parental control, intellectual freedom, and democracy itself. Sparked by the controversial “Krause List” in Texas, which targets 850 books centered on race and LGBTQIA+ stories, the film takes a deep investigative dive into the escalating movement against book banning. The film captures the courage and resilience of the everyday heroes, librarians, as well as concerned parents and students flanking them, who have become first responders in the fight for the freedom to read, standing defiantly against censorship at all costs. 

This event will begin with a screening of the film in the Huxley Theater, followed by a panel discussion with State Librarian Lauren Moore, New York Public Library Senior Director of Reading and Engagement and author Brian Jones, Past-President of the American Library Association Emily Drabinski, American Libraries columnist and Library Freedom Project member Reanna Esmail, and Amanda Hoffman, a former library assistant who fought for her community through the turmoil surrounding a Drag Queen Story Hour. They will discuss the challenges libraries face today, their personal experiences in the battle against censorship, and their suggestions for what libraries and their supporters can do in the continuing struggle for intellectual freedom.

The discussion will be moderated by James Paleologopoulos, Producer for WAMC/Northeast Public Radio’s On the Road, and will be recorded for later broadcast.

Guests are invited to try zine making with help from the Albany Zine Club, bring free home resources and books from The RED Bookshelf, and receive event tote bags printed on site by Circus printshop.

The full schedule for the day is as follows:

• 1:30-2 Zine making and screen printing (and throughout the day)
• 2-3:30 Film screening
• 3:30-5 Panel discussion

Registration is encouraged

This public program is made possible by federal Library Service and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which enable the New York State Library to champion lifelong learning.