As part of our celebration of Banned Books Week, the Norwell Public Library is proud to
host a screening of Kim A. Snyder’s documentary The Librarians. It just won Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking at the 2026 Emmy Awards!
“America’s war on books is more than a war on words.”
The film explores the challenges librarians across the country face as they work to protect the freedom to read.
A panel discussion will follow the screening, moderated by Ally Dowds, MBLC Consultant for Services to Special Populations. The panel will feature librarian Matthew Amory, Librarian for Information Services at Canton Library, in conversation with local Freedom to Read leader Will Adamczyk, Director of the Milton Public Library and Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Library Association’s Legislative Committee.
Film Synopsis:
Librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment Rights. As they well know, controlling the flow of ideas means control over communities.
When Texas lawmakers seek to review a list of books, librarians find themselves on the frontlines of a national battle. Across the U.S., librarians face the impact of uniting against library collection standards that include restrictions on race-related and LGBTQIA+ content. Drawing on historical context, The Librarians explores the broader implications for education and public life.
