For Newtonians who treasure the Newton Free Library and the librarians who staff it, the powerful new documentary, The Librarians, by award-winning director Kim A. Snyder, may come as a shock and a wake-up call. The film notes that librarians around the country are “emerging as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment rights.” As stated in the film, they are under attack by organized groups using inflammatory messaging to accuse them of pornography, pedophilia, and grooming children. Librarians, such as the nine who are profiled in this film, are trained to uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and to resist all efforts to censor library resources. By simply doing their jobs, they face harassment, threats, and laws aimed at criminalizing their work.
The film describes how, in Texas in 2021, conservative Texas state legislator Matthew Krause sent local school superintendents a list of 850 books and inquired if they were in libraries and classrooms. The Krause List became the basis for investigations, the culling of library books, and the firing of teachers who resist school board mandates. The majority of books targeted contain LGBTQIA+ and race-related content.
Krause’s cause has been taken up by the organization Moms for Liberty, with chapters around the country. A key strategy of what some describe as a “spiritual” movement is to elect supporters to local school boards. The documentary takes us to school board meetings in Texas, Florida, and New Jersey where such battles are being waged.
The Librarians premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and is an official selection at numerous other festivals.
On January 28 from 6PM-8PM, the Newton Free Library and GBH will present an Indie Lens Pop-Up screening of the film in the Library’s Druker Auditorium, followed by a panel discussion focusing on the state of intellectual freedom, book bans, challenges in Massachusetts, and a Q&A session. Panelists include Malinda Lo, bestselling author and member of Mass Freedom to Read, and Andrea Fiorillo, Co-Chair of the Mass. Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom/Social Responsibilities Committee.
The filmmakers offer this trailer and a list of links to organizations fighting for the Freedom to Read and to uphold First Amendment Rights.
