Documentary captures libraries caught in U.S. culture wars

The Emmy Award-winning documentary "The Librarians" will be shown by the Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. during Banned Books Week (Oct. 4-10). A discussion of issues facing Nassau County’s library system will follow the film.

Directed by Kim A. Snyder and executive produced by Sarah Jessica Parker, "The Librarians" examines the book bans threatening schools and public libraries throughout the United States.

The film begins in Texas, where the Krause List targets 850 books focused on race and LGBTQIA+ stories — triggering sweeping book bans across the U.S. at an unprecedented rate. As tensions escalate, public librarians connect the dots from heated school and library board meetings nationwide to lay bare the underpinnings of extremism fueling the censorship efforts. Despite facing harassment, threats, and laws aimed at criminalizing their work, the librarians’ rallying cry for freedom to read is a chilling cautionary tale.

In the documentary, librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment rights. The program is free, though donations are welcome for the Fernandina Beach Friends of the Library.

Documentary Showing — "The Librarians," and discussion

Oct. 7 - 2 p.m.

Story & Song Center for the Arts

1430 Park Avenue

Fernandina Beach