Preview of Documentary | Are You a Librarian?

The in-progress documentary Are You a Librarian? explores the untold story of Black librarians, who have served heroically not only as keepers of books but also as defenders of knowledge, champions of civil rights, and preservers of Black history. Interweaving archival footage and recent interviews with veteran librarians among other experts, the film spans from the era of slavery and segregation to today’s battles over book bans and intellectual freedom. It documents underfunded and segregated spaces transformed into communities' vital cultural and educational hubs. A 20-minute excerpt of the movie-in-progress will be followed by a discussion with Rodney E. Freeman Jr., a librarian, archivist and the movie's director and producer.

Registration

If you are a Grolier Club member, please register yourself and your guests via the Club website. Do not register via Eventbrite.

Support

We appreciate your interest in the Grolier Club’s programming on the art and history of the book. For over 130 years we have offered our exhibitions and lectures to the public, free of charge. If you have enjoyed these offerings, and would like to support that tradition, and help ensure that it continues, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Grolier Club.

Accessibility

An ADA-compliant lift from street level to the lobby is available to anyone with mobility issues. All desk staff should be ready and able to assist you in operating the lift, with or without advance notice.

A “T-Coil” assisted listening system is available to anyone attending a lecture in the Exhibition Hall. Visitors with hearing aids should turn their devices to the “T” setting in order to access the system; visitors without hearing aids may request a “loop receiver” with earphones.

Environment

The temperature and humidity in the exhibition hall are tightly controlled for the sake of the valuable items on display, and this may cause the room to feel chilly, particularly in warmer weather, to those coming in from outside. Members and visitors are advised to bring a light wrap when visiting an exhibition, or attending an event in the hall.