The conversation around the banning of books in school libraries, although muted by recent political events, continues unabated under the surface. 'The Librarians,' a new feature-length documentary at Sundance directed by the renowned and Peabody-winning Kim A. Snyder, is certainly timely. Known for her Oscar-nominated short documentary 'Death By Numbers,' Snyder turns her keen eye to the cultural battle lines being drawn in our education system.
'The Librarians' blends various forms of footage, including historical film clips and original recordings, to chronicle the struggle by many educators, predominantly women, against influential opponents like conservative school boards, the controversy-laden 'Moms for Liberty' organization, and certain media-motivated Republican politicians.
Within recent memory, Texas House Representative Matt Krause compiled a list of 850 books, suggesting they be removed from libraries due to their allegedly 'obscene,' 'pornographic,' and 'race-related' content. Some of these books had LGBTQIA+ positive themes. Student activists have pointed out that about 60% of Krause's list pertains to such books. Librarian Suzette Baker highlights the fallibility of Krause's list in a jovial manner upon finding a copy of the LGBTQIA+-positive picture book 'A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo' untouched in the children's section.
Snyder documents the widespread incidences of censorship, not just in conservative "red" states but also in ostensibly liberal regions like New Jersey. Through her lens, we witness the efforts of librarians, students, teachers, and parents to uphold freedom of speech at local school board meetings. Regrettably, their efforts are often stymied by organized campaigns driven by groups like Moms for Liberty.
The documentary also reveals the extreme lengths some go to in stifling free speech, with librarians losing their jobs, being publicly shamed, and even targeted personally for questioning these campaigns. For instance, in Florida, a Moms for Liberty supporter attacked Julie Miller, a Baptist minister's daughter and wife.
Snyder's work doesn't shy away from personal accounts either, introducing us to Granbury mother Monica Brown, who fights fiercely against LGBTQIA+ material and seeks to prosecute librarians. In a sharp contrast, we're introduced to her eldest son, Weston Brown, who lives with his male partner in San Diego. He makes a brave appearance at a school board meeting to counter his estranged mother's viewpoint. The documentary also features Amanda Jones, an award-winning Louisiana librarian who faces personal fallout for her stance against censorship.
Drawing similarities to historical incidents of mass book censorship, including Nazi book burning and McCarthyism, 'The Librarians' is a sobering reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression in education and the importance of battling ignorance. The poignantly scored soundtrack by Nico Muhly adds another layer of emotional resonance to this deeply moving documentary.
