The powerful new documentary, The Librarians, debuted to critical acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival, igniting crucial discussions on the growing wave of book bans in U.S. schools. Directed by Kim A. Snyder and executive produced by Sarah Jessica Parker, the film captures the struggles of school librarians across the nation who are resisting increasing political and ideological pressures to censor literature.
The documentary spotlights librarians from Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and New Jersey who have faced job losses, public harassment, and even legal action for defending access to books deemed “inappropriate” by conservative lawmakers, school boards, and parents. Often branded as “pornographic” or “violating Judeo-Christian principles” as interpreted by these groups, particularly regarding depictions of sexuality and gender, the targeted books include works on African American history, LGBTQ+ issues, racism, and even literary classics like Toni Morrison’s Beloved.
One Texas librarian recalls being forced to lock certain books away, likening the act to shutting out entire communities. “Every book that was on that shelf was like telling a student, ‘we want to put you behind locks,’” she reflects in the film.
Traditionally seen as guardians of knowledge rather than political combatants, school librarians now find themselves at the center of a cultural war. In Florida, a 2023 law criminalized the refusal of school personnel to remove books not approved by the state’s board of education, making noncompliance a felony. Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration have framed these measures as protecting “parental rights” by banning discussions on gender, sexual orientation, and critical race theory in schools.
Sarah Jessica Parker, speaking to Variety at Sundance, underscored the gravity of the situation. “By allowing [book banning] to take place, we’re allowing something dangerous to happen to all of us—not just to our children but to us as a community, as Americans. It’s a disaster.”
The film examines the rising influence of conservative groups like Moms for Liberty, a self-described parental rights organization that actively campaigns against curricula covering LGBTQ+ rights and racial history, often targeting books like The 1619 Project or those with LGBTQ+ themes. Founded in 2021, the group has supported school board candidates in various states and was recently classified as an “anti-government” organization by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Funding from conservative donors and organizations like Patriot Mobile—a Texas-based Christian wireless provider—has fueled efforts to reshape school curricula and restrict access to books addressing social justice issues.
Among the film’s most compelling figures is Amanda Jones, a Louisiana librarian and former recipient of the School Library Journal’s School Librarian of the Year award. Once celebrated for her work, she became a target of vicious attacks—including death threats and accusations of being a “groomer”—after opposing bans on LGBTQ+ books. Jones fought back, suing some of her harassers for defamation and writing a memoir chronicling her fight against censorship.
Another unexpected subject is Kimberly Gore, a far-right, Republican radio host turned Texas school board member who initially ran on a book-banning platform. However, after actually reading the books in question, she realized they were not the obscene materials they were portrayed as but rather stories promoting kindness and understanding. Her shift in perspective led to backlash from her former allies, illustrating the rigid ideological divides driving the book-banning movement.
As The Librarians reveals, the push for book bans is not just about restricting access to literature—it is about controlling narratives and shaping young minds to fit a particular ideological mold. With the potential return of Donald Trump to the presidency and a well-organized, well-funded conservative movement gaining ground, the battle over books is far from over.
For many librarians, their fight is not just about preserving access to books but about protecting vulnerable students seeking knowledge, representation, and a safe space, like the one described by New Jersey librarian Martha Jackson, who, after being labeled a “pedophile” for defending LGBTQ+ materials, poignantly stated, “When they go after the books, what they’re really going after are those kids who come into my library looking for a safe space.”
With The Librarians now seeking distribution, the documentary promises to be a powerful tool in the ongoing struggle to defend intellectual freedom. To learn more about the film and the fight against book bans, visit [website or social media link]. As one subject in the film aptly puts it, “This is the civil rights fight of our time.”
*While it’s not available to watch right now, the fact that it premiered at Sundance suggests it has potential for wider release. So keep an eye out for news and hopefully, you’ll be able to see it soon!
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