Book Riot – The Podcast

Episode: "Librarians on the Front Lines"

Air Date: February 9, 2026
Host: Vanessa Diaz (solo, with guests Kim Snyder, Martha Hickson, and Carolyn Foote)
Main Theme:
An urgent discussion around the new documentary The Librarians, which chronicles the experiences of school librarians confronting a rising wave of book bans—especially titles about race, LGBTQ identities, and American history—and explores the broader stakes for intellectual freedom, democracy, and youth rights.

Episode Overview

Vanessa Diaz, guest-hosting solo, interviews director Kim Snyder alongside the documentary’s key librarian subjects, Martha Hickson and Carolyn Foote. The conversation dives into the genesis and impact of the groundbreaking documentary The Librarians, the realities behind recent book bans, the personal toll on librarians, students’ activism, and the global implications of censorship trends. The discussion amplifies the heroism—and challenges—of librarians who have unexpectedly found themselves on the front lines of defending democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background and Genesis of the Documentary

(05:49–10:48)

• Kim Snyder explains how she first learned of the “Kraus List” (a list of 850 books targeted for review/removal in Texas schools) in Fall 2021.
  • She drew a thematic through-line from her past films on school shootings to this new visibility of youth rights being curtailed:
    • “There's a very clear through line...which has to do with depriving youth of some fundamental rights that they should have.” (08:26, Kim Snyder)
• Kim reached out to Texas librarians organizing resistance—leading to a four-year documentary journey across the country.
• The film seeks to connect dots not only about book titles, but the human toll on librarians under siege.

2. The Kraus List and the Escalation of Book Bans

(10:48–12:57)

• Vanessa contextualizes the Kraus List within a history of mounting legislative attacks on “divisive” books, particularly those challenging narratives around race, gender, and sexuality.
  • “...every time I come, doesn't matter when it is...there's always some kind of update or story about book bans and censorship.” (10:52, Vanessa Diaz)
• The removal of books is often preemptive, chilling, and tied to broader political efforts like Texas’s HB 3979 (anti-CRT bill).

3. Founding Texas Freedom Fighters & Personal Fallout

(12:57–18:16)

• Carolyn Foote describes grassroots librarian response in Texas, including “takeover” campaigns on social media, which snowballed into widespread organizing and drew documentary filmmakers’ interest.
  • “We didn't mean to found anything, honestly. We did a Twitter hashtag takeover...and we had so much response...people are hungry to know what to do...” (13:24, Carolyn Foote)
• Martha Hickson recounts being one of the first librarians personally targeted (before the Kraus List), facing public defamation and isolation.
  • “It was a very lonely experience...If I could write down what I'm going through and how I'm handling it, it would help other librarians...” (15:34, Martha Hickson)
• Both note the unique stress of being thrust into the public eye—something no librarian expected.

4. Building Trust & Trauma Among Librarians

(18:16–23:57)

• Kim Snyder discusses her trauma-informed approach to filming, drawing from past work in communities affected by gun violence.
  • “I definitely experienced what was going on there—a very different kind of trauma, but as trauma—and how to interact with it, how to approach it.” (20:13, Kim Snyder)
• Support within the librarian community—often facilitated by those already in the struggle—was fundamental.

5. Misconceptions in Mainstream Coverage & the Film’s Distinction

(25:51–30:11)

• There’s frustration over mainstream media coverage, which often focuses on the drama or misstates the stakes (e.g., “getting your book banned is good publicity for authors”).
• Martha: Emphasizes the intentionality of library collections and the outsized harm of removing “just one book.”
  • “When you remove that just one book, you're removing a heck of a lot more than paper, ink and glue.” (27:53, Martha Hickson)
• Carolyn: The film exposes both the personal harassment directed at librarians and the scale/funding of the coordinated book banning movement, things not usually visible in media.

6. Cinematic Juxtaposition & Emotional Reaction

(30:11–33:00)

• The documentary’s use of historical footage (Nazi book burnings) and classic cinema (e.g., Bette Davis) highlights disturbing parallels with the present.
• Public screenings elicit gasps and emotional responses from professionals who are shocked by the intensity of harassment documented.

7. Spread of Book Bans & Global Implications

(33:00–38:47)

• The “front lines” are no longer just in conservative states; the assault on libraries is national and international.
• The film has screened at 200+ venues, and librarians abroad (notably Germany) are worried and expressing solidarity.
  • “We accepted that invitation and...screened the documentary for a theater full of German librarians...They were terrified...by what they saw happening today in the United States.” (37:08, Martha Hickson)

8. Effecting Change, Building Coalitions, and Conversion

(38:47–45:37)

• The documentary highlights instances (e.g., Courtney Gore’s story) of people moving from supporting bans to actively resisting after learning the facts.
• Kim: The film may help convert viewers, especially those with conservative or religious backgrounds who realize their core values are being betrayed by these attacks.
  • “Are these good Christian or Republican values?...there's a large majority of people who just are not down with tearing down public education...” (47:12, Kim Snyder)
• Public showings of the film can concretely influence school board elections and activism.

9. The Heart of the Issue: Impact on Students

(49:38–54:20)

• The true victims of book bans are children and teens, especially marginalized youth needing representation and support.
• Both Martha and Carolyn recount student activism, from board meeting testimonies to starting statewide advocacy groups.
  • “They were just remarkable...my kids who are in the film are all off to college now. They've graduated from high school. And I just have to spotlight one in particular...” (51:03, Martha Hickson)
  • “By their nature, adolescents care about justice and fairness. And you cannot stomp that out of them.” (53:51, Carolyn Foote)

10. Paths Forward & How Listeners Can Act

(54:48–57:06)

• Kim: Urges viewers to act locally—vote in school and library board elections, support and connect with their libraries, and preempt censorship.
• Carolyn: Notes there’s a practical engagement guide with discussion questions on the film’s PBS website.
• Watching the documentary in community is encouraged—there is power and catharsis in collective viewing and discussion.
  • “It really is a very profound experience to watch it with other people...there are gasps, there are laughs. And that's always much more fun with other people around.” (56:38, Martha Hickson)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the new role of librarians:
  “You're the superheroes behind the desk...never once did any of you go into this career being like, yeah, one day I'm going to be sitting on this documentary...about defending the freedom to read.”
  (18:16, Vanessa Diaz)

• On “just one book” logic:
  “Collections are built with intention...every book is on that shelf for a reason...when you remove that just one book, you're removing a heck of a lot more than paper, ink and glue.”
  (27:46–27:53, Martha Hickson)

• On the scale of harassment:
  “People are most shocked by...the ongoing harassment of librarians...It's one thing to read about it and it's another thing to see it.”
  (28:57, Carolyn Foote)

• On students as catalysts for hope:
  “By their nature, adolescents care about justice and fairness. And you cannot stomp that out of them.”
  (53:51, Carolyn Foote)

• On the evolving threat:
  “It is definitely just a spread of something very insidious that...is not contained within our borders.”
  (38:47, Kim Snyder)

• On public solidarity:
  “When you realize how shocked people are and outraged, that criminalization of our librarians is actually something on the table in the United States...it's the greatest achievement in my life...to have lifted that up.”
  (34:52, Kim Snyder)

Notable Segments & Timestamps

• Introduction and setup: (00:49–05:49)
• Documentary background (Kraus List) and genesis: (07:34–10:48)
• Librarians’ grassroots organizing and first-hand stories: (12:57–18:16)
• Approaching trauma/trust in the filmmaking process: (19:32–23:57)
• Media misconceptions and film's unique contributions: (25:51–30:11)
• Emotional resonance in screenings: (30:11–33:00)
• Harassment and spread of bans beyond Texas: (33:00–38:47)
• Converts, coalition building, and the “big lie”: (38:47–49:38)
• Students’ activism and impact: (49:38–54:20)
• Concluding calls to action, engagement, and community: (54:48–57:06)

Final Thoughts & Calls to Action

• Watching The Librarians is essential for understanding the on-the-ground realities of the book banning crisis.
• Support your local libraries and librarians, engage with school/library boards, and resist censorship at the community level.
• Resources: The PBS website and the film’s official site offer engagement tools for community screenings and more.
• Collective action and solidarity—watching and discussing together—makes a difference.

For more:

• Links to The Librarians streaming and showings, plus engagement guides, can be found in the episode’s show notes.
• Find more coverage and activism at bookriot.com.