Grants Pass Library Hosts Screening of Documentary 'The Librarians'

Event aims to bring national debate over library book collections into local focus

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:12pm

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A vibrant, pop art-inspired grid of colorful library books, conceptually representing the diverse range of literature at the center of the national debate over public library collections.A community screening of 'The Librarians' documentary aims to spark local dialogue around the national debate over library book collections and the role of public institutions.Grants Pass Today

The Josephine Community Library in Grants Pass, Oregon will host a special screening of the PBS documentary 'The Librarians' on April 23rd. The 92-minute film follows librarians across the country as they navigate mounting scrutiny over book collections, shifting expectations from governing bodies, and increased pressure from competing community perspectives. The event will include a discussion and Q&A session with Southern Oregon PBS CEO Phil Meyer, allowing residents to engage with the national issues intersecting with local realities.

Why it matters

The screening places the subject matter of censorship, access to information, and the role of public institutions directly inside the type of institution at the heart of the discussion, creating a setting where these themes are not theoretical but immediate for the Grants Pass community.

The details

The 'The Librarians' screening will take place on Thursday, April 23rd from 5-7 pm at the Grants Pass branch of the Josephine Community Library. The documentary examines how restrictions tied to race-related and LGBTQIA+ content have become focal points in broader discussions about education, access to information, and the role of public institutions. After the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a discussion and Q&A session with Southern Oregon PBS CEO Phil Meyer.

  • The screening will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 5-7 pm.

The players

Josephine Community Library

The public library system serving Grants Pass, Oregon that is hosting the screening event.

Phil Meyer

The CEO of Southern Oregon PBS, who will lead the post-screening discussion and Q&A.

'The Librarians'

A 92-minute PBS documentary directed by Kim A. Snyder that follows librarians across the country navigating debates over book collections and the role of public institutions.

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What’s next

The library has positioned the event as an open forum for community engagement, encouraging residents to arrive early as space may be limited.

The takeaway

This screening brings a national debate over library book collections and the role of public institutions directly into the Grants Pass community, offering residents a chance to engage with these issues in a local setting and explore how they intersect with their own experiences and perspectives.