The Librarians

In 2021, Matt Krause, a Texas congressman, circulated a list of 850 books that he claimed were harmful to young readers. The list turned out to focus largely on queer themes and issues relating to race. Shortly afterwards, the Governor of Texas demanded the immediate removal of all these books from school libraries – and other states soon followed suit. The result: a terrifying culture war, in which librarians appear to be the last line of defence.

Conservative America’s culture war against diversity is also being waged in school libraries. The Librarians, which premiered at Sundance, brings (former) library staff and supporters out of the shadows and in front of the camera in their collective fight against book bans. A mind-boggling portrait of a modern witch hunt, and an urgent warning against censorship and blind conformity. Using archive footage and new testimonies, Oscar-nominated director Kim A. Snyder (Death By Numbers) exposes how censorship has become part of a broader political campaign to take control of school boards.

Programme

8.00 pm: screening of The Librarians

9.30 pm: panel discussion

This screening is in collaboration with VVBAD (The Flemish Association for Libraries, Archives & Documentation), Avansa Oost-Brabant and cinema ZED.