The Current Landscape of Book Banning: Emmy® Award Winning Film & Panel Discussion on Intellectual Freedom

When librarians help you find the books you want to read, you might not realize it, but they are also supporting your First Amendment rights and playing a part in ensuring that all members of the community have access to information and resources.

The Librarians, the 2026 Emmy® Award Winning documentary from director/producer Kim A. Snyder, is an examination of the injustice of book bans and the chilling effects that targeted book challenges can have on individuals and communities. Despite facing personal consequences, the librarians featured in this documentary remain steadfast in their dedication to First Amendment Rights. This film is a call to action for all communities to support everyone’s right to read.

Natalie Hagan, Executive Director of Kent County Public Library, is excited to invite the community to the public viewing of this film and looks forward to engaging with the Kent County community about its themes. “In a world where agendas are constantly being pushed upon us,” she says, “it’s critical to defend the right to formulate our own ideas through access to information and the freedom to read.

This is a fundamental right of a free society.”

Following the film, a timely, thoughtful discussion on its themes will be presented by
panelists:
• Caroline Richmond, Executive Director of We Need Diverse Books
• Andrea Boothby-Rice, Research & Instruction Librarian at Washington College’s Miller Library
• Natalie Hagan, Executive Director of Kent County Public Library

Their conversation will explore the current landscape of book banning and intellectual
freedom.

Advocacy Packets with practical ways that individuals can engage in the work of fighting censorship, as well as swag to show support for the freedom to read, will be available to attendees while supplies last. “Library collections should not be battlegrounds for one person or group to force their viewpoint. The freedom to express ourselves and read what we choose is essential to our individual and collective well-being,” states Boothby-Rice, who also chairs the Maryland Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Panel. “No matter our identity, we should work to uphold this right for every community member.”

This event is presented in partnership and with support from:
• Holstein Program in Ethics
• Kent County Public Library
• Miller Library
• The Needle’s Eye Academy
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience
• Washington College Education Department
• Washington College Intercultural Center
• We Need Diverse Books

The Current Landscape of Book Banning: Emmy® Award Winning Film & Panel Discussion
Wednesday, October 21 | 5:30-8:30
• 5:30pm Hors d’oeuvres & welcome
• 6pm The Librarians screening
• 7:45pm Panel discussion

This event will take place at:
Norman James Theatre in William Smith Hall
Washington College Main Campus
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD

For additional information about this event, please visit kentcountylibrary.org or call
410.778.3636.