ABOUT THE FILM

The Canary is a poignant documentary short portraying a Michigan librarian and mother of a transgender child as she confronts the rising tide of book–banning in her community.  In the face of mounting censorship threats in the United States, from contentious school board meetings to community debates, courageous librarians find themselves at the forefront of a battle to protect the freedom to read. While book–banning has a historical precedent, the forced closure of a library in modern-day America is unprecedented. In a post-pandemic United States, legislators, activists, and parental rights groups have been part of a growing resurgence of book-banning in public libraries and schools.

Set against the backdrop of her community library’s impending closure due to censorship attempts and escalating threats against librarians, The Canary intimately explores the personal challenges she confronts, illuminating the profound impact of censorship on her family. Interweaving the imminent loss of the Patmos Library, fervent book–banning efforts, and her personal narrative, the documentary invites audiences to witness contemporary censorship challenges through the eyes of a dedicated library worker.

The Canary transcends mere commentary, emerging as a powerful human-interest story that sparks awareness of the current cultural divide in America and underscores the stakes involved. Metaphorically likening the librarian and her library to a ‘canary in the coal mine’, the film serves as a vital warning sign in today’s America. Through intimate storytelling and historical resonance, The Canary documents a pivotal moment in the fight against book-banning, urging viewers to take heed and safeguard intellectual freedom for future generations. 

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

IIn 2022, I was struck by a disturbing reality: the resurgence of book bans across the United States was no longer just an abstract political issue—it was tearing apart communities. In Michigan, I witnessed firsthand how censorship was not only stripping books from shelves but threatening the very existence of a public library, a place meant to safeguard knowledge and open dialogue. The willingness of a community to forsake this cornerstone of democracy in the name of censorship was shocking. That moment of reckoning led me to create The Canary.

Set against the backdrop of high-stakes library board meetings and deepening ideological divides, The Canary follows a library worker and mother of a trans child as she fights to keep her local library from closing. Her story is more than a personal struggle; it is a microcosm of a growing national crisis. Libraries are among our last truly public spaces, institutions dedicated to intellectual freedom, and yet, in today’s polarized America, they are under siege. The closure of a library in response to book bans is not just a local loss—it is an alarming escalation in the war against the First Amendment.

This film is both a tribute and a warning. It honors the quiet resilience of librarians who, in the face of harassment and political pressure, continue to stand as guardians of free thought. But it also demands action. The freedom to read is a fundamental right, and The Canary challenges audiences to recognize what is at stake before it is too late. As censorship efforts intensify, this documentary short is just the beginning. The Canary is the first step toward a larger conversation—one that will continue in a feature-length film exploring the nationwide battle over intellectual freedom. The fight to protect our libraries is not just about books; it is about preserving the principles that define an open and just society.