2007
96 min
1-932869-31-X
![This film has subtitles]()
English, Spanish & French
The Hollywood Librarian
A Look at Librarians Through Film
Synopsis
An Overdue Productions Film
They have more cardholders than VISA, more customers than Amazon, and more outlets than McDonald's. Meet America's librarians. The Hollywood Librarian: A Look at Librarians Through Film is the first comprehensive treatment of the subject of librarians. A vivid blend of factual documentary, feature film, and storytelling, it reveals the history and realities of librarianship in the entertaining and appealing context of American movies. Interviews with actual librarians, intercut with film clips of cinematic librarians, examine such issues as literature, books and reading, censorship, library funding, citizenship and democracy. For the first time, we see and understand the real lives and real work of American librarians who for decades have been a cultural force hiding in plain sight.
This film's subject is librarians: who they are, what they do, why they do it, and the impact of their work in people's lives. The underlying meaning is how we express our own humanity, how we listen to ourselves and one another in the realm of the written and read word -- a uniquely human privilege.
Audiences will be surprised and delighted by the fascinating librarians in this entertaining and enlightening film, and will emerge with a greater appreciation for the range of literature and materials available to them thanks to our nation's librarians.
Contains 30 minutes of bonus materials, including a Book Cart Drill Team featurette.
Release Date:2007
Duration:96 min
ISBN:1-932869-31-X
Subtitles:English, Spanish & French
Trailers
Film Festivals
DC Labor Film Fest 2007
Oxford International Film Festival 2008
Conference Screenings
Arkansas Library Association Conference, September 9 - 11, 2007
Vancouver, British Columbia's Rio Theater, November 3, 2007
Ireland's Health Sciences Libraries Group Conference, February 20 - 21, 2008
New England Library Association Conference, October 19 - 21, 2008
Pennsylvania Library Association Annual Conference, November 9 - 12, 2008
West Virginia Library Association Annual Conference, September 30 - October 2, 2009
South Dakota Library Association Annual Conference, October 7 - 9, 2009
Nevada Library Association Annual Conference, October 7 - 10, 2009
Mississippi Library Association Annual Conference, October 20 - 23, 2009
Alabama Library Association Annual Conference, April 13 - 16, 2010
Black Caucus of the American Library Association Annual Conference, August 4-8, 2010
North Dakota Library Association Annual Conference, September 29 - October 1, 2010
Georgia Council of Media Organizations Annual Conference, October 12 - 15, 2010
Virginia Library Association Conference, October 21 - 22, 2010
South Carolina Library Association Annual Convention, October 28 - 30, 2010
North Carolina School Library Media Association, November 3 - 5, 2010
Awards
Winner of the Ontario Library Association Media and Communications Award, 2009
Resources: Downloads and Related Links
Downloads:
Praise
"Don't judge this film by its title alone. The Hollywood Librarian is so much more than a campaign to disprove movie stereotypes of librarians. It is a wonderful history lesson on the origin of public libraries. Seidl pays special tribute to Andrew Carnegie, the immigrant and steel magnate whose philanthropy launched America's free library system. It is also a vivid reminder that some of our earliest and most important connections to reading and learning start in libraries. Seidl sheds light on the amazing work of school librarians and those who lead special children's programs. She also shows that without libraries, our culture would have missed out on the creative genius of authors John Steinbeck and Ray Bradbury. It is a testament to the life-changing contributions libraries make to the powerless in society. Moving accounts of literacy programs for the homeless, poor immigrants, and prisoners make Seidl's point exceptionally well... Throughout, Seidl draws viewers into her message with clips from classic Hollywood films. Some disparage librarianship (It's a Wonderful Life and Music Man), while others venerate the profession (Desk Set and Goodbye,Columbus). Seidl also uses movies to underscore the role libraries play in democracy (Fahrenheit 451 and Storm Center). Highly recommended for library and information science programs, The Hollywood Librarian is also an excellent professional development tool for librarians, school administrators, and public officials."
- Educational Media Reviews Online
"A deft weaving... a hopeful elegy ...a well-reasoned, eloquent, and enjoyable argument for the continued importance of libraries in the modern democracy..."
- Film International Magazine
"Entertaining, uplifting and educational, it's everything a good documentary should be."
- The Edmonton Journal
Press Reviews
INTERLOCHEN PUBLIC RADIO
April 11, 2008
The Washington Post | Monica Hesse | June 24, 2007
HOLLYWOOD LIBRARIAN VS. REAL THING
Williamsport Sun-Gazette | October 4, 2007
BANNING BOOKS? BAD NEWS