TWO HARBORS, MN — Two Harbors Breakwall Indivisible will host a free public screening of the documentary The Librarians on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Harbor Theater (616 2nd Ave, Two Harbors). The event aims to spark community dialogue around the escalating national crisis of library censorship and the essential role libraries play in defending democracy. The screening is presented free to the public thanks to a generous grant from Subject Matter (subjectmatter.org).
In 2021, a list of 850 books for potential removal sparked a wave of conservative-led initiatives. These “parental rights” campaigns have triggered a record surge in book challenges, aiming to remove hundreds of titles from school and public libraries—primarily those regarding race, sexuality, and gender, all of which are fundamental to understanding the breadth of human experience, social organization and human rights. While initially concentrated in southern states, these efforts to remove books by groups such as Moms for Liberty are now impacting libraries nationwide.
These campaigns have led to staff harassment, reduced funding, and, in some cases, the closure of libraries. Despite public opposition to literary oppression, over 100 proposed state bills seek to limit librarian discretion, with some laws even targeting staff and publishers with penalties for distributing materials deemed “obscene.”
The political pressure on the industry is reaching a breaking point. In 2025 alone, 4,235 unique titles were challenged. These censorship efforts have caused major disruptions, leaving thousands of libraries struggling to find new acquisition channels.
Two Harbors Breakwall Indivisible is proud to present a documentary featuring the “freedom fighters” of our era: librarians who refuse to be silenced despite criminal investigations and personal threats. Their stories highlight the crucial importance of civic engagement and local school board involvement to counter threats to our intellectual freedom. In this age of misinformation, libraries remain essential for distinguishing truth from propaganda.
For more information, please visit https://thelibrariansfilm.com/ or contact us at thbreakwall2@duck.com.
Be informed and inspired. Gather with your community and exercise your power.
