A coalition of local and statewide advocacy groups will host a free public screening of the documentary “The Librarians” at 6 p.m. on Feb. 3 at Third Baptist Church.
The event is being presented by the American Association of University Women of Kentucky, the Coalition for an Inclusive Daviess County, Non-Violent Owensboro, Yellowbanks PAC, and the ACLU of Kentucky. Admission is free and open to the public.
According to event organizers, “The Librarians” explores challenges facing public libraries and library professionals across the country, including debates over book selection, governance, and intellectual freedom. The documentary features interviews with librarians and community members involved in disputes over library materials and policies, and examines how organized efforts have sought to influence library boards and operations.
Organizers said the film places recent library-related discussions in Daviess County within a broader national context by highlighting similar situations in other communities.
“Some of the events are similar to what we have seen in our own community, showing that this isn’t a local issue but a national one,” said Jen Vogel, vice president of AAUW of Kentucky and treasurer of the Owensboro chapter. “For AAUW in particular, access for girls to books and education is one of our main focuses. When you limit access to books, you hurt everyone in a community.
Vogel said access to books and educational materials is a core focus of AAUW’s mission, particularly as it relates to students and families. She noted that one of the librarians featured in the film, Amanda Jones, authored the book “That Librarian,” which was previously selected for an AAUW book club.
Vogel said she hopes the screening encourages community discussion and understanding of the issues presented.
“I hope everyone will come see it with open hearts and open minds,” she said. “If it gets them talking, even if they disagree, at least they are learning about different things, and isn’t that the point?”
