The Librarians
Kim A. Snyder’s vital documentary sounds the alarm over the banning of books in American libraries.
Image courtesy of Dogwoof Releasing.
We have in this documentary by Kim A. Snyder a film that will automatically recommend itself to all those who are concerned by the threat to democracy that they see now in Trump's America. The film is focused on the banning of books in libraries with a special emphasis on the situation in Texas and Florida and, although for some that may sound like a limited subject, the film quickly compares it to the literal burning of books as an established step on the way to autocracy and dictatorship. The real-life illustration offered is what was done by the Nazis in Germany in 1933 while, as an example of art taking up the same theme as a warning, we have references to Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 (a quote from the book opens the film and clips from Truffaut’s film version are seen later). To back up its viewpoint the film incorporates early on the words of President Eisenhower in 1953 when he declared “Don't join the book burners”.
The Librarians does, of course, concentrate on recent events but is also aware of the relevance of past history and is ready to insert relevant clips from old films (it even contains a scene in praise of books from the virtually unknown 1943 movie The Human Comedy featuring the popular child actor of the day ‘Butch’ Jenkins!). Early on the film references the action taken in 2021 by Matt Krause who as the state representative for Texas listed 850 books which he clearly thought unsuitable to be in school libraries. Within weeks the Texas Association of School Boards heard from Governor Abbott demanding the removal of such books which he described as “graphic, pornographic material”. In fact, the range of titles suggested that the real target of this attack was books about LGBT issues and about race. If some of the material in them may have been unsuitable for very young children, it became all too characteristic of those demanding a ban that they would often claim that librarians made them available to such kids when they were not in fact in that section at all.
Many of those who contribute to Kim A. Snyder’s film are themselves librarians defensive of the importance of books as a key part of education. In taking that stance and fighting to protect it, these librarians, a great many of them women, may sense that politics plays a large part in the activities of those opposing them but they see their own attitude not as some political war but as a spiritual one. That is so because freedom of thought and expression in books is key to what students need to understand the world (a number of students are also seen here expressing their concern). Furthermore, those seeking to ban books are in many cases taking an unhealthy stand against diversity in society.
One becomes aware as the film develops not only of how extreme views can lead to librarians being dismissed or even threatened with violence but also the extent to which there is widespread organisation behind what might seem genuine local concern on the part of parents, misinformed or not. The film reveals in particular the scope and influence of the political organisation known as Moms for Liberty founded in 2021 which has as its declared purpose the restriction of school curricula. Through its various chapters it seeks to ban books about gender and sexuality from school libraries and to challenge any curriculum that includes anything about LGBTQ rights, discrimination or anything relating to race and ethnicity. These Moms stand for something but it is not liberty. Another body no less significant is Patriot Mobile, a wireless provider that declares itself to be Christian and conservative and on a mission to defend what it describes as God-given rights and freedoms. Its special relevance in the context of the issues covered here is its ability to influence school boards through candidates for those boards who are driven by these particular beliefs. Indeed, religious conservatism comes up a great deal here albeit that in Florida we find the Rev. Jeffrey Dove speaking up as a man of the cloth to support the librarians.
I have mentioned above some of the more striking details that emerge in this film and it also features a number of people whose stories are individual and impactful. Many of them are indeed librarians including, for example, Amanda Jones who gives an impassioned speech to fine effect while others heard from at intervals throughout the film are Martha Hickson, Suzette Baker and an anonymous contributor who ultimately feels the need to reveal that her name is Audrey Wilson-Youngblood. A different angle altogether is included when we see how Weston Brown, the gay son of Monica Brown, speaks out in San Diego to challenge his mother’s extreme conservative views and to reveal how bad – unchristian I would say – has been her treatment of her child. Similarly, a school head, Dr. Jeremy Glenn, who makes more than one appearance here shows how ready he is to accept demands to ban books. Given this range of footage, there were times when I wondered if the film would have gained by having set sections within which a particular individual would be the key focus. As it is the film jumps from one person to another before bringing many of them back and that approach is arguably less memorable and distinctive. But the concerns expressed in this film are such that this cohesive view of them is important and will be appreciated by those drawn to see it. At the close it is the no longer anonymous Audrey Wilson-Youngblood who declares that “our story is now everybody's story”. While her comment could refer to librarians all over America, there is a strong sense that she is seeing the attack on books as a clear pointer to the wider assault on democracy and freedom of expression in the USA which is becoming increasingly apparent on a daily basis.
MANSEL STIMPSON
Featuring Amanda Jones, Carolyn Foote, Martha Hickson, Suzette Baker, Weston Brown, Nancy Jo Lambert, Rev. Jeffrey Dove, Courtney Gore, Audrey Wilson-Youngblood, Becky Calzada, Julie Miller.
Dir Kim A. Snyder, Pro Kim A. Snyder, Janique L. Robillard, María Cuomo Cole and Jana Edelbaum, Ph Paulius Kontijevas, Amy Bench and Derek Wiesehahn, Ed Maria Gabriela Torres, Leah Boatright and Austin Reedy, Music Nico Muhly.
K.A. Snyder Productions/Cuomo Cole Productions/ITVS Ideal Partners/World of HA Productions/Artemis Rising Foundation/Pretty Matches Productions-Dogwoof Releasing.
92 mins. USA. 2025. UK and US Rel: 26 September 2025. Cert. 15.
