For immediate release | January 23, 2025
American Library Association and American Association of School Librarians Members Featured in Documentary “The Librarians” to Walk the Red Carpet at Sundance Premiere

Promotional image for the documentary "The Librarians". Photograph by Amy Bench.
(Chicago)—On January 24, American Library Association (ALA) and American Association of School Librarians (AASL) member leaders Becky Calzada, Carolyn Foote, and Amanda Jones, will walk the red carpet at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, for the premiere of “The Librarians,” a documentary that follows Calzada, Foote, Jones, and other library professionals who have fought for the freedom to read in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and beyond.
“As librarians, we know that all learners have and deserve the right to access information and school librarians’ role is critical to preserving and defending the freedom to learn,” said Becky Calzada, president of AASL, and a member of ALA and the ALA Policy Corps. “Our hope is that this film will inspire people everywhere to support librarians and learners in their communities.”
“The Librarians” is directed by Kim A. Snyder and produced by Kim A. Snyder, Janique L. Robillard, Maria Cuomo Cole, and Jana Edelbaum. Actress Sarah Jessica Parker is an executive producer through her company Pretty Matches Productions. After premiering at Sundance, the film is expected to head to a major streaming platform. In addition to Calzada, Foote, and Jones, librarians and advocates Martha Hickson, Suzette Baker, and Audrey Wilson Youngblood will also be in attendance.
“This film highlights the challenges that librarians across the country are facing as they fight censorship,” said Amanda Jones, author of the book That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America and a member of ALA and AASL and the recipient of the AASL Intellectual Freedom Award in 2023. “We’ve seen an unprecedented push to spread lies and misinformation about libraries and librarians, as well as personal attacks on librarians who are standing up for their patrons and students.”
ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, which has tracked censorship data for decades, reported that 2023 was the highest level of book challenges ever documented by ALA. While 2024 preliminary data showed a decline, the number of documented attempts to censor books continues to far exceed the numbers prior to 2020. ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom will release the full 2024 report in April of this year.
“It takes all of us—educators, parents, students, community members, and elected officials—making our voices heard and showing up to defend the freedom to read.” said Carolyn Foote, a member of ALA, the ALA Policy Corps, and AASL. “I hope that this film can move people from awareness to action.”
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. Visit ala.org/ppa.
The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.
Contact:
Shawnda Hines
Deputy Director, Communications
American Library Association
Public Policy & Advocacy Office
shines@alawash.orgFeatured News