The Bozeman Doc Series continues on Thursday, April 10th, at 7pm at the Emerson Center, with the Montana premiere of the critically acclaimed new documentary, The Librarians. The screening is being co-presented by the Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation, and we are very happy to announce that librarian Ellie Newell will attend and speak before the film.

Newell has first-hand experience with contentious battles over books like those depicted in the film and will talk about how similar stories have played out in Montana. You can read about Ellie’s story in an article in the New Yorker here.

In The Librarians, award-winning director Kim A. Snyder takes us to an unexpected front line where librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy and free access to information. Across the U.S., sweeping book bans target stories addressing race and LGBTQ+ issues. Snyder immerses us in this escalating conflict, capturing heated community meetings that lay bare the arguments for censorship. At the center of it all are the steadfast librarians, determined to protect children’s right to access books that educate, empower, and provide solace — despite facing harassment, threats, and even laws aimed at criminalizing their work. A cautionary tale and rallying cry, Snyder captures how these librarians transform their seemingly quiet profession into a bold stand for freedom.

The Librarians world-premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this January to critical acclaim. The film has since continued with an impressive festival run, screening at the South by Southwest, Full Frame, and Miami Film Festivals, among other screenings so far in the season.

Members of the Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation will be in attendance, and will table in the lobby and speak before the film.

“Rousing…Straightforward and urgent.” Screen International

“Enlightening…offers a rattling look at coordinated efforts to ban books. More importantly, it introduces viewers to the everyday and increasingly vital heroes pushing back: the librarians who sound the alarm to both legislative and grassroots attempts to pull books from school and public libraries..a gripping story of what is at stake when curiosity and thinking are endangered.” Variety

“What Snyder does so effectively is affirming the dignity of this vocation by showing how the work of librarians goes beyond just saving books.” RogerEbert.com

Doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets are available at the door or before the show online at www.bozemandocseries.org, where you can also buy Season Passes and 7-film punch cards, learn more about the series, and view trailers for upcoming films. The series will continue every other Thursday through April, 2025.