Jan 16, 2026 The Librarians Movie Showing and Q&A Session
“Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.
– Benjamin Franklin
The job of “librarian” seems like a thing that has always been. In the beginning, librarians took the form of storytellers and bards. They traveled through the countryside, gathering information and retelling that information as they went, often in the form of fantastic tales. As written information became more widely available, librarians metamorphosed into their current form. They gathered tomes, tablets, and scrolls to place them on shelves and in containers. They grouped, categorized, and classified information in such a way that the organization of information allowed it to be easily accessed and referenced. The librarians created places where information could be gathered, stored, and accessed. They created libraries.
As both libraries and librarians evolved, they became more integrated into society. The first libraries were privately owned, but, over time, community-owned libraries became available. The information in those libraries made it possible for society to move forward; education became something that everyone could have if they had the drive to seek it out. Alongside community-owned libraries, school libraries also flourished. School libraries further bridged the gap and helped school-aged children grow and learn outside of their classrooms. The information that children have available to them allows them to dream and understand. That information allows them to experience the world in a way that they may not have normally been able to without librarians there to guide their learning experience. For generations, this is how libraries have existed and evolved but now something has changed.
“The Librarians” is a documentary that explores the evolving landscape of public and school libraries and how librarians navigate complex conversations about the First Amendment. Described by The Hollywood Reporter as “a different kind of superhero movie,” the film highlights how library professionals have emerged as dedicated advocates for their communities in the face of increasing book challenges nationwide.
Join us on February 4th at 5pm in the Whitestown Branch Community Room for a showing of “The Librarians”. The showing will be followed by a Q&A led by Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library’s Executive Director, Kristin Shelley.