Democracy, Speech, and Public Institutions: “The Librarians” Documentary Screening

This National Library Week join HKS Library & Research Services, Harvard Law School Library, local library leaders, and Harvard policy experts for an exclusive campus screening of the new documentary The Librarians. The film explores the recent wave of book banning across the US and profiles the public librarians defending First Amendment freedoms. As tensions escalate between lawmakers, public leaders, and community members, the librarians excavate the extremist underpinnings fueling censorship efforts. Despite facing harassment, threats, and laws aimed at criminalizing their work, the librarians work tirelessly to ensure intellectual freedom for all members of their communities.

What happens when public libraries come under threat for upholding democratic principles? Across the country, public libraries have in recent years faced an unprecedented wave of censorship and book banning efforts – attempts to remove library materials based on perspectives some see as harmful. These efforts have primarily targeted books about race and racism, books featuring LGBTQ+ perspectives, and books for older readers that have sexual references or discuss sexual violence. In several cases, these efforts have succeeded not only in getting books removed from library shelves, but in getting librarians fired or entire libraries shut down. In responding to these efforts, public librarians have found themselves on the frontlines of democracy. The Librarians tells the stories of these public librarians.

5:00-5:15PM — Enjoy pizza and settle in

5:30-7:00PM — Screening of The Librarians

7:00-7:30PM — Panel discussion and audience Q&A, featuring Kim Long, Director, Watertown Free Public Library  & Timothy Patrick McCarthy, Faculty Chair, LGBTQI+ Human Rights Program, Harvard Kennedy School; Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education