Dallas, October 16, 2025
News Summary
A screening of the documentary ‘The Librarians’ at the Texas Theatre in Dallas drew critical attention to the ongoing national battle over school library censorship. Directed by Kim Snyder, the film examines the experiences of public school librarians in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, showcasing the emotional and practical impacts of recent censorship efforts. The screening garnered strong reactions, and attendees participated in a Q&A session to discuss the pressing issue of intellectual freedom in education. The film emphasizes the need to address the dangers of censorship in public education.
Dallas — A documentary screening at the Texas Theatre highlighted what filmmakers and participants describe as an escalating national struggle over school library content and censorship in public education.
What happened
The film “The Librarians,” directed by Kim Snyder, is a documentary showcasing public school librarians’ experiences in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. The screening at the Texas Theatre on October 14 was nearly sold out and drew strong emotional reactions from the audience, including laughter and tears. A key participant in the film, librarian Audrey Wilson-Youngblood, will join a Q&A session post-screening on October 14.
Why it matters
The documentary documents a series of developments that supporters say illustrate the practical and personal effects of recent challenges to classroom and library materials. The film follows the fallout after Texas State Rep. Matt Krause released a list in 2021 targeting 849 books focused on race, sexuality, and more. That list is shown in the film as a turning point that helped prompt a statewide push from parents challenging books they opposed on ideological grounds.
Key details from the film and screening
- The film features scenes from school board meetings and public hearings that became heated and sometimes hostile toward library staff.
- It portrays the transformation of librarians from being providers of knowledge to being viewed by some critics as “groomers” and “porn dealers,” and it documents subsequent threats and safety concerns for library staff.
- The film reveals how a criminal investigation targeted three Granbury ISD librarians for allegedly distributing ‘harmful material’ to minors. The film also shows local district decisions, including actions by Granbury School District’s Superintendent Jeremy Glenn to remove books with sexual content and LGBTQ themes from libraries.
- The documentary references Fahrenheit 451 and historical footage of book burnings to draw parallels to recent acts of censorship, framing the issue as part of a longer history of restricting access to books.
Context and wider trends
Data cited in the film and discussed at the screening place the documentary’s local scenes within a broader national picture. Texas ranks second in the U.S. for book bans, with nearly 1,800 books removed from classrooms, according to PEN America’s report. Filmmakers and participants presented the incidents shown in the film as examples of a national pattern affecting public spaces and educational institutions.
Distribution, reception and filmmaker intent
The documentary premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and will have a PBS airing on Independent Lens in February. The film has won nine jury and audience awards and is touring theaters on a schedule that includes additional Dallas dates at the Texas Theatre on October 25 and 26. The director, Kim Snyder, intends the documentary to serve as a warning about the dangers of censorship in American society and aims to spur discussion about defending First Amendment-related rights in educational settings.
Local reaction and next steps
Organizers said the nearly sold-out screening at the Texas Theatre on October 14 received emotional reactions from the audience, including laughter and tears. Post-screening events include a Q&A session on October 14 with Audrey Wilson-Youngblood, and further public showings in Dallas on October 25 and 26 at the Texas Theatre. The film tour is described as an awareness-raising effort focused on intellectual freedom and the evolving role of school librarians.
Reported outcomes and ongoing investigations
The film documents how complaints and investigations shifted the public climate for librarians from routine activities like book fairs to incidents where staff report fearing for their safety. The film highlights the local example in Granbury and situates it within the broader pattern of increasing challenges to school materials across multiple states.
FAQ
What is the film featured at the Dallas screening?
“The Librarians,” directed by Kim Snyder, is a documentary showcasing public school librarians’ experiences in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida.
What specific event does the film follow?
The film follows the fallout after Texas State Rep. Matt Krause released a list in 2021 targeting 849 books focused on race, sexuality, and more.
How did the Dallas screening go?
The nearly sold-out screening at the Texas Theatre on October 14 received emotional reactions from the audience, including laughter and tears.
Does the film discuss any legal or investigative actions?
The film reveals how a criminal investigation targeted three Granbury ISD librarians for allegedly distributing ‘harmful material’ to minors.
What broader data does the film cite about book removals?
Texas ranks second in the U.S. for book bans, with nearly 1,800 books removed from classrooms, according to PEN America’s report.
When and where else will the film be shown?
The documentary premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and will have a PBS airing on Independent Lens in February.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Title and director | “The Librarians,” directed by Kim Snyder |
| States showcased | Texas, Louisiana, and Florida |
| Key catalyst | Texas State Rep. Matt Krause released a list in 2021 targeting 849 books focused on race, sexuality, and more |
| Local incident detailed | A criminal investigation targeted three Granbury ISD librarians for allegedly distributing ‘harmful material’ to minors |
| Local screening reaction | The nearly sold-out screening at the Texas Theatre on October 14 received emotional reactions from the audience, including laughter and tears |
| Wider statistic cited | Texas ranks second in the U.S. for book bans, with nearly 1,800 books removed from classrooms, according to PEN America’s report |
| Festival and broadcast | The documentary premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and will have a PBS airing on Independent Lens in February |
| Dallas follow-up screenings | October 25 and 26 at the Texas Theatre |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Granbury Librarians at the Center of Book Censorship Debate
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Pavement Performs Rare Track in Dallas Ahead of Festival
Southern Methodist University Rebrands Athletics Away From ‘Pony Up’
It Came From Texas Film Festival Returns for Third Edition
Additional Resources
- Advocate Magazine: The Librarians Screening
- Dallas Observer: Granbury Librarians Investigation
- Ms. Magazine: Librarians Movie Documentary
- Dallas Observer: Things to Do This Week in Dallas
- Variety: The Librarians Executive Producer
- Wikipedia: Censorship
- Google Search: book ban statistics
- Google Scholar: school library censorship
- Encyclopedia Britannica: First Amendment
- Google News: library censorship
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