[CASL-L] Fwd: The Librarians Airs on PBS Starting Feb 9th. You Should Watch!

Barbara Johnson bajohnson at colchesterct.org
Fri Feb 6 07:26:33 PST 2026
Previous message (by thread): [CASL-L] book recommendations
Next message (by thread): [CASL-L] Manga rating
Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: The AI School Librarian Newsletter <aischoollibrarian at substack.com>
Date: Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Subject: The Librarians Airs on PBS Starting Feb 9th. You Should Watch!
To: <bajohnson at colchesterct.org>


What this film gets right about censorship and the people living it
͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
  ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
    ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
  ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
    ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
  ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
    ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
  ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
    ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
  ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
    ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
  ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏
    ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     ͏     
Forwarded this email? Subscribe here
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9haXNjaG9vbGxpYnJhcmlhbi5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vc3Vic2NyaWJlP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWVtYWlsLXN1YnNjcmliZSZyPWVoMHkwJm5leHQ9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZhaXNjaG9vbGxpYnJhcmlhbi5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20lMkZwJTJGdGhlLWxpYnJhcmlhbnMtYWlycy1vbi1wYnMtc3RhcnRpbmciLCJwIjoxODY1NDgxNjMsInMiOjE4MTI0MzEsImYiOnRydWUsInUiOjI0MzA5MDAwLCJpYXQiOjE3NzAzOTAxNjEsImV4cCI6MjA4NTk2NjE2MSwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.UN-8uznrRy2_ClNMtzKUJ3aGWj-B2EnQZYJyXcHO0Jc?>
for more
<https://substack.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.UA3OBfjH-WKj-0DDeHCd75_9SsS_SpgGECYxZTJPPzI?>

Stay Ahead with AI in Libraries & Education – Insights, Tools, & Trends!
------------------------------
The Librarians Airs on PBS Starting Feb 9th. You Should Watch!
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=1812431&post_id=186548163&utm_source=post-email-title&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=eh0y0&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyNDMwOTAwMCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTg2NTQ4MTYzLCJpYXQiOjE3NzAzOTAxNjEsImV4cCI6MTc3Mjk4MjE2MSwiaXNzIjoicHViLTE4MTI0MzEiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.aEQcsOVCVzBGq4NrdqjN9WRiXwCKfgy-7hjuTl6PeTM>What
this film gets right about censorship and the people living it

The Ai School Librarian <https://substack.com/@aischoollibrarian>
Feb 6
<https://substack.com/@aischoollibrarian>

<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=1812431&post_id=186548163&utm_source=substack&isFreemail=true&submitLike=true&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyNDMwOTAwMCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTg2NTQ4MTYzLCJyZWFjdGlvbiI6IuKdpCIsImlhdCI6MTc3MDM5MDE2MSwiZXhwIjoxNzcyOTgyMTYxLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTgxMjQzMSIsInN1YiI6InJlYWN0aW9uIn0.btgD_xPCGB5rORlQ7p9u7-Y_MwKnrYTpTtMu2E5Pu1g&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-reaction&r=eh0y0>
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=1812431&post_id=186548163&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&isFreemail=true&comments=true&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyNDMwOTAwMCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTg2NTQ4MTYzLCJpYXQiOjE3NzAzOTAxNjEsImV4cCI6MTc3Mjk4MjE2MSwiaXNzIjoicHViLTE4MTI0MzEiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.aEQcsOVCVzBGq4NrdqjN9WRiXwCKfgy-7hjuTl6PeTM&r=eh0y0&utm_campaign=email-half-magic-comments&action=post-comment&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email>
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=1812431&post_id=186548163&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&action=share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=eh0y0&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyNDMwOTAwMCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTg2NTQ4MTYzLCJpYXQiOjE3NzAzOTAxNjEsImV4cCI6MTc3Mjk4MjE2MSwiaXNzIjoicHViLTE4MTI0MzEiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.aEQcsOVCVzBGq4NrdqjN9WRiXwCKfgy-7hjuTl6PeTM>
<https://substack.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.mokbUJ9h46jfkx8NiWK5suah5IPm0tGOy98fX_fVklI?&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email>

READ IN APP
<https://open.substack.com/pub/aischoollibrarian/p/the-librarians-airs-on-pbs-starting?utm_source=email&redirect=app-store&utm_campaign=email-read-in-app>

<https://substack.com/redirect/dcadef8d-ddb3-4bf5-8d35-99b7c5bfa2ba?j=eyJ1IjoiZWgweTAifQ.nxRco-oovcCOa1fnQE2JH4acOMLXAUDO9flOCQvmOqU>
Why *The Librarians* Matters to Me

*A film about censorship, courage, and the people who refuse to walk away*

On February 9, the documentary The Librarians airs on PBS as part of
Independent Lens.
<https://substack.com/redirect/082dd99c-fae8-430b-93fe-e8ec4f0e3681?j=eyJ1IjoiZWgweTAifQ.nxRco-oovcCOa1fnQE2JH4acOMLXAUDO9flOCQvmOqU>
It will also be available to stream for a limited time afterward on PBS.org
and the PBS app. You will also briefly see me in the film, seated next to
Martha Hickson as we testify in support of New Jersey’s Freedom to Read
bill.

I want people to watch this film not simply because it documents the rise
of book bans and censorship, but because the people in it are my friends,
my mentors, and in many cases, the reason I am still here doing this work.

This documentary is not abstract to me. I cried while watching it. I cried
because their stories are my story. I cried because I know the fear, the
isolation, and the professional risk that comes with standing up for
students and for the freedom to read. I also cried at the courage my
friends show, again and again, even when the cost is high.

The librarians featured in this film are not symbols. They are real people
who have endured harassment, retaliation, defamation, and loss for doing
their jobs ethically.
Librarians Featured in This Film

The film features many librarians from across the country, along with
community members, advocates, and leaders. The following librarians are
among those whose stories are highlighted:

   -

   Martha Hickson
   -

   Amanda Jones
   -

   Marie Masferrer
   -

   Suzette Baker
   -

   Julie Miller
   -

   Nancy Jo Lambert

There are many others in the film whose courage and advocacy deserve
recognition. This documentary is stronger because it reflects that
collective effort, including the voices of parents, students, community
members, and leaders who have shown up and spoken out.
Martha Hickson

Before I was fired, I already knew Martha Hickson’s story. I reached out to
her for help and guidance while writing South Orange and Maplewood’s
district policies related to censorship and book challenges. Her experience
and deep understanding of how these attacks unfold shaped that work in
lasting ways. The policy we wrote, informed by her knowledge, is now used
as a model across New Jersey.

When I did lose my job, Martha was the first person I called. I was crying.
I was overwhelmed. I was dealing with severe depression and anxiety
triggered by my firing. Martha did not just listen. She helped me find a
therapist and a doctor. She gave me the courage to speak publicly about
what happened, not for attention, but so others would not feel as isolated
as I did.

Seeing us together on screen, as we testified at a hearing in support of
New Jersey’s Freedom to Read bill, was a reminder that this work is
collective, and that the relationships built in this fight often begin long
before crisis hits.
Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones has been a close friend, a mentor, and a constant source of
strength. She knew my story before hers became public.

When she began experiencing harassment, threats, and defamation for doing
her job, I was one of the people she leaned on. Later, as I faced my own
experiences with defamation, she became one of my strongest sources of
support.

She is one of the few people I know who truly understands what it is like
to face not only censorship, but defamation and hatred from within your own
community. Her guidance and support have meant more to me than I can
adequately put into words.
Marie Masferrer

I came to know Marie Masferrer through a Writers Guild workshop for
censored librarians, led by Amanda Jones and playwright Peter Parnell. That
space was created for librarians whose voices had been challenged or
silenced, and who were trying to find language for experiences that are
often dismissed.

Through that work, Marie and I became friends. I have come to deeply admire
her strength. What she has endured in Florida, and the resolve she shows
every day as she continues to fight for what is right for students, is
extraordinary. She knows the cost. She does the work anyway.
Suzette Baker

I do not know Suzette Baker as personally as some of the others in this
film, but her story has stayed with me.

Watching what she has gone through and how she has continued to stand up
for students despite sustained pressure is deeply moving. She represents
the many librarians who quietly do this work, often without public support,
and face real personal and professional consequences.
Julie Miller

I want to name Julie Miller for her bravery.

Julie has shown what it means to speak up when staying quiet would be
easier and safer. She has faced pressure simply for doing her job with
integrity and for centering students’ rights. Her courage looks like
persistence. It looks like continuing to show up, even when the environment
is hostile.
Nancy Jo Lambert

I have known Nancy Jo Lambert for many years, and I am aware of how intense
the pressure on her has been.

She has faced sustained scrutiny and professional risk while continuing to
advocate for students and for the core principles of librarianship. The
work has required real personal sacrifice, and that should not be
minimized. Her inclusion in this film reflects the long-term toll of
censorship battles and the persistence required to keep doing this work.
For Educators and Librarians

If you are working in a school or library right now and feel pressure
around books, curriculum, or speech, this film will feel uncomfortably
familiar. You are not imagining it, and you are not alone. What is
happening in libraries across the country deserves attention and response.
Why PBS Matters

That this film is airing on PBS matters. Public broadcasting has long
played a critical role in making difficult, necessary stories accessible to
everyone.

PBS has been a trusted source of education, journalism, and cultural
storytelling for generations. At a time when public institutions are under
increasing pressure, PBS deserves our support. Watching, sharing, and
supporting your local PBS station helps ensure that stories like this
continue to be told and remain accessible to all.
How to Watch and Share

*The Librarians
<https://substack.com/redirect/082dd99c-fae8-430b-93fe-e8ec4f0e3681?j=eyJ1IjoiZWgweTAifQ.nxRco-oovcCOa1fnQE2JH4acOMLXAUDO9flOCQvmOqU>*
airs on PBS on February 9 and will be available to stream for a limited
time afterward on PBS.org and the PBS app. Check your local listings and
set a reminder. Consider watching with colleagues, administrators, or
community members.
Why You Should Watch

*The Librarians* is not just about book bans. It is about what happens when
educators are treated as threats for doing their jobs. It is about the cost
of defending intellectual freedom. And it is about the people who continue
to do that work anyway.

Watching this film is not the end of the work. It is a starting point.

These stories matter. These librarians matter. And so do the communities
that stand with them.

*📘 The AI For Educators Series*

Written by Elissa Malespina—now available in eBook and paperback!

   -

   *AI in the Library: Strategies, Tools, and Ethics for Today’s Schools*
   -

   *NEW - The Educator’s AI Prompt Book: Copy-and-Paste Prompts for Lesson
   Planning, Libraries and Learning.*

BUY THEM NOW
<https://substack.com/redirect/0612eaf5-044f-4064-b737-f2743b3f130c?j=eyJ1IjoiZWgweTAifQ.nxRco-oovcCOa1fnQE2JH4acOMLXAUDO9flOCQvmOqU>
<https://substack.com/redirect/cc7bbba4-61db-4a9b-aa23-c4d5baed3dbf?j=eyJ1IjoiZWgweTAifQ.nxRco-oovcCOa1fnQE2JH4acOMLXAUDO9flOCQvmOqU>

*You’re currently a free subscriber to The AI School Librarians Newsletter.
For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.*

*Portions of this newsletter are enhanced using AI-powered tools, with
human review ensuring accuracy and quality.*
Upgrade to paid
<https://substack.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.XJPVEwmx_y5-CUXeCSPy2Ro4RtWJnC31KDBkM44UPkw?&utm_medium=email&utm_source=subscribe-widget&utm_content=186548163>

Like
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=1812431&post_id=186548163&utm_source=substack&isFreemail=true&submitLike=true&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyNDMwOTAwMCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTg2NTQ4MTYzLCJyZWFjdGlvbiI6IuKdpCIsImlhdCI6MTc3MDM5MDE2MSwiZXhwIjoxNzcyOTgyMTYxLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTgxMjQzMSIsInN1YiI6InJlYWN0aW9uIn0.btgD_xPCGB5rORlQ7p9u7-Y_MwKnrYTpTtMu2E5Pu1g&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-reaction&r=eh0y0>
Comment
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=1812431&post_id=186548163&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&isFreemail=true&comments=true&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyNDMwOTAwMCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTg2NTQ4MTYzLCJpYXQiOjE3NzAzOTAxNjEsImV4cCI6MTc3Mjk4MjE2MSwiaXNzIjoicHViLTE4MTI0MzEiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.aEQcsOVCVzBGq4NrdqjN9WRiXwCKfgy-7hjuTl6PeTM&r=eh0y0&utm_campaign=email-half-magic-comments&action=post-comment&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email>
Restack
<https://substack.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.mokbUJ9h46jfkx8NiWK5suah5IPm0tGOy98fX_fVklI?&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email>


© 2026 Elissa Malespina
South Orange NJ

[image: Get the app]
<https://substack.com/redirect/ccafeff9-e46d-424b-b3e4-f49a6cc8bcb2?j=eyJ1IjoiZWgweTAifQ.nxRco-oovcCOa1fnQE2JH4acOMLXAUDO9flOCQvmOqU>[image:
Start writing]
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vc2lnbnVwP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9c3Vic3RhY2smdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1mb290ZXImdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF1dG9maWxsZWQtZm9vdGVyJmZyZWVTaWdudXBFbWFpbD1iYWpvaG5zb25AY29sY2hlc3RlcmN0Lm9yZyZyPWVoMHkwIiwicCI6MTg2NTQ4MTYzLCJzIjoxODEyNDMxLCJmIjp0cnVlLCJ1IjoyNDMwOTAwMCwiaWF0IjoxNzcwMzkwMTYxLCJleHAiOjIwODU5NjYxNjEsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.kHSEQKPFsRXYncisnGTlllB2uhZ29XAPYE71_AVWggY?>

-- 
Please be aware that email communication can be intercepted in transmission 
or misdirected. Please communicate sensitive information by telephone or in 
person.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://mylist.net/archives/casl-l/attachments/20260206/32e94801/attachment-0001.htm>
Previous message (by thread): [CASL-L] book recommendations
Next message (by thread): [CASL-L] Manga rating
Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]
More information about the CASL-L mailing list