Meaningful Movies Ballard “The Librarians” resources & links

Meeting Chat:

Hello and Welcome! We’ll be running this slideshow until 6 pm so just make yourselves comfortable.

Brittney Moraski  (Apr 23, 2026, 6:03 PM)
Hi all! I’m Brittney and I live in Ballard (here like you today to watch this film). As a volunteer, I chair Advocacy for the Seattle Public Library Foundation. The Seattle Public Library Levy will be on the 8/4 ballot for Seattle voters! The levy covers 30-50% of the library’s annual budget, so its passage is critical to sustain the library system we know and love. Feel free to reach out to me directly if you would like to learn more! https://www.spl.org/about-us/the-organization/budget-and-operations/library-levy/2026-library-levy-proposal

You (Apr 23, 2026, 6:05 PM)
You can view the movie full screen using the Meeting tab at the top of your screen.

Kaci Christian  (Apr 23, 2026, 7:34 PM)
As a senior citizen, observing what’s been happening in these smaller communities is just terrifying.

Brittney Moraski  (Apr 23, 2026, 7:39 PM)
For those curious about Books Unbanned (funded through the Seattle Public Library Foundation): https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/teens/books-unbanned

Kaci Christian  (Apr 23, 2026, 7:40 PM)
I live in Huntington Beach, CA, where out of the blue, the 7-member city council was swept by MAGA candidates, even though the city residents are a mix of political viewpoints. The HB City Council banned the LGBTQ flag, banned books, tried to privatize the city libraries, and it took a huge effort of the citizenry to put the library issues in two separate ballot measures and get signatures and then get votes to keep the libraries open and shut down the effort to privatize the public library. This is starting with school libraries, but I predict this will expand into city and county libraries. In Huntington Beach, both measures passed, thank goodness, but it was an enormous effort.

Laura McLeod  (Apr 23, 2026, 7:45 PM)
Christian nationalism / fascism taking over at the grassroots level to infiltrate higher levels

Kaci Christian  (Apr 23, 2026, 7:49 PM)
Well, a lot of teachers or librarians may be pressured to comply in order to maintain their livelihoods. You can’t blame them, really. In the film, I particularly admired the librarians who stood up, and they may have legal grounds to file lawsuits for unjust dismissal.

Melissa  (Apr 23, 2026, 7:49 PM)
What is the BEST counter balance to the Pressure Propaganda Movements, Statewide and Nationally?

Debra Myers, MD, PsyD 

Brittney Moraski  (Apr 23, 2026, 7:52 PM)
I’m really sorry you were harassed and threatened, Gavin. That’s awful.

Kaci Christian  (Apr 23, 2026, 7:53 PM)
They represent a minority view but they’re loud and they play dirty.

You (Apr 23, 2026, 7:54 PM)
Does that term First Responders resonate with you?

Pamela  (Apr 23, 2026, 7:56 PM)
If I wanted to share the movie with people, how could I do that?

Kaci Christian  (Apr 23, 2026, 7:57 PM)
Besides EveryLibrary.org, what are the other organizations you recommend?

Kaci Christian  (Apr 23, 2026, 7:57 PM)
Unite Against Book Bans
Gavin, what’s the name of the group you mentioned?

Gavin Downing  (Apr 23, 2026, 7:58 PM)
PEN America

Gavin Downing  (Apr 23, 2026, 7:59 PM)
Also, I recommend following Kelly Jensen. She reports for BookRiot and has her own newsletter, and has been absolutely tireless about reporting this ever since it started.

Laura McLeod  (Apr 23, 2026, 8:01 PM)
Thank you

m (she/her)  (Apr 23, 2026, 8:11 PM)
more than 5000 book titles were banned in Nazi Germany, so if we follow that blue print (and we do), the list will expand…

Melissa  (Apr 23, 2026, 8:14 PM)
https://www.ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data

Laura McLeod  (Apr 23, 2026, 8:21 PM)
This has been very informative and helpful.

m (she/her)  (Apr 23, 2026, 8:22 PM)
great info, many thanks!

Bryn Bachman  (Apr 23, 2026, 8:24 PM)
I enjoy the Library Summer BINGO where we are challenged to read different kinds of books!

Brittney Moraski  (Apr 23, 2026, 8:26 PM)
This is a great resource from SPL on finding your next 5 books!: https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/authors-and-books/your-next-5-books

Vi McB  (Apr 23, 2026, 8:28 PM)
Thank you!

Lynda Emel  (Apr 23, 2026, 8:29 PM)
Thank you!

Brittney Moraski  (Apr 23, 2026, 8:29 PM)
Thanks for sharing your expertise and evening with us, Gavin and Brenna!