In this timely PBS Books Filmmaker Talk, award-winning director and producer Kim A. Snyder joins host Heather-Marie Montilla for an in-depth conversation about The Librarians, the powerful new documentary that examines the growing national debate over access to information and the freedom to read.
Created in conjunction with the February 9 premiere of The Librarians on PBS, the film follows librarians across the United States who find themselves on the frontlines of an escalating struggle over library collections, intellectual freedom, and democratic values. During this conversation, Snyder reflects on the four-year journey behind the film, from its origins in Texas to its expansion into a national story.
The discussion also explores the human dimension of the film: the integrity and courage of librarians, the communities that stand beside them, and the broader implications for education, public life, and First Amendment rights. Grounded in storytelling rather than partisanship, The Librarians invites viewers into a necessary conversation about who gets to decide what stories are available—and why that question matters to us all.
This PBS Books Filmmaker Talk encourages audiences to reflect, engage, and continue the dialogue in their own communities, libraries, and classrooms.
The Librarians will stream on the PBS App and PBS Stations, check your local listings.
PBS Watch-Alike: Independent Lens | The Librarians
The Librarians traces how library collection standards are impacting communities across the U.S. Librarians find themselves on the frontlines of debates as they navigate the review of library materials that includes books with LGBTQIA+ and race-related themes.
