Parsons Memorial Library Invites You to See “The Librarians”

By kat szmit

At Parsons Memorial Library we’re not afraid to use the word “Love.” We love our patrons. We love our volunteers. We love our books. We especially love providing our patrons with the books they want to read, even when those books are challenged. 

Movements to challenge or ban books have risen sharply in recent years and the impact on school and community libraries has been immense. A new documentary from PBS’s Independent Lens called “The Librarians” shines a spotlight on this issue and Parsons Memorial Library would like to invite you to a special screening of “The Librarians” on Valentine’s Day. 

In the film, librarians from Texas to New Jersey fight on the front lines of a national battle for the right to read. At its heart is The Krause List, a 15-page document listing more than 800 books on race, religion, and sexuality that lawmakers demanded the removal of in school and community libraries. 

While PML hasn’t faced the dramatic situations seen in the film, the staff and volunteers are keenly aware of the wider climate, which is why they feel this film is so relevant.

PML Program Director Dominique Zulueta began working on the event after learning about the film from an email shared among librarians. A private screening of the film for library employees generated lively conversation, which is what Zulueta hopes for the Feb. 14 event. 

“The documentary is full of heavy but necessary information. We value our freedom of speech and freedom to read, and want to defend those things,” Zulueta said. “Hopefully watching together will help us think proactively instead of reactively if book challenges come to our community.”

The screening is part of the Indie Lens Pop-Up community series that aims to bring people together for film screenings and conversations, featuring documentaries seen on PBS’s Independent Lens. The pop-up gives local people the opportunity to see the film and then discuss it. 

The PML event begins at 1:30 p.m. with the film screening at Alfred Parish Church. Following the film, attendees are invited to gather for conversation, cookies baked by the culinary students at the Sanford Regional Technical Center, and some fun activities, with an opportunity to win prizes.

“We want to get people comfortable with the idea of having conversations with others in their community about sensitive subjects,” Zulueta said. “When it comes to our library, we want to have books that everybody who comes to visit us will love. Not everybody loves the same kind of books, and that’s okay. We believe libraries are forever… and for everyone.”

“The Librarians” Indie Lens Pop-Up will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Alfred Parish Church, 8 Kennebunk Road, Alfred, and will be followed by coffee, conversation, cookies, and cool prizes.