National Library Week (April 19-25) was established in 1958 by the American Library Association to encourage reading and highlight the vital role libraries play in everyday life. Since then, it has become an annual celebration of access to information and intellectual freedom. It is a time to celebrate the many ways libraries connect people with knowledge and community. It is also an opportunity to recognize how libraries advance teaching, research, and scholarly engagement across disciplines. Today’s library collections extend beyond the stacks, offering access to a wide range of digital resources that support both research and relaxation. From scholarly materials to streaming materials, the library continues to evolve to meet the needs of its users.
One way to experience stories is through film. Kanopy is a streaming service that offers a curated collection of documentaries, classic cinema, and contemporary films. It’s a perfect way to celebrate the week by exploring library-centered stories!
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library (2017)
Frederick Wiseman’s film EX LIBRIS goes behind the scenes of one of the greatest knowledge institutions in the world and reveals it as a place of welcoming cultural exchange and learning. With 92 locations throughout Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, the library is committed to being a resource for all the inhabitants of this multifaceted and cosmopolitan city, and beyond.
The New York Public Library exemplifies the deeply rooted American belief in the individual’s right to know and be informed. It is one of the most democratic institutions in America – everyone is welcome. The Library strives to inspire learning, advance knowledge and strengthen communities. -Kanopy
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library offers an inside look at the New York Public Library and its many branches as a dynamic space for learning, cultural exchange, and community support. The film highlights how the library serves a diverse public through free access to information, programs, and resources across the city. It’s worth watching during National Library Week because it captures the library as a deeply democratic inspiration, open to everyone and essential to lifelong learning.
The Library Thief – Bibliotekstjuven (2011)
Gustaf Skarsgård stars in this Swedish miniseries as a librarian at Stockholm’s National Library who makes a small fortune stealing and selling rare books – until he is brought down by three of his co-workers. Based on a true story. -Kanopy
The Library Thief follows a librarian at Stockholm’s National Library whose secretary steals and sells rare books for profit. Based on a true story, the series explores how his actions ultimately unravel when the three coworkers begin to uncover the scheme. It’s an important reminder of the value, vulnerability, and ethical responsibility tied to cultural and archival collections.
The Library That Dolly Built (2021)
A feature-length documentary focusing on the history, impact and future of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a global book gifting program. With guest narrator, actress and author, Danica McKellar and the music of Dolly Parton. -Kanopy
The Library That Dolly Built highlights the history and impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a global initiative founded by Dolly Parton that provides free books to children. The film shows how early access to books can shape literacy and lifelong learning. It’s an inspiring reminder of how expanding access to reading can strengthen communities and support future generations.
Umberto Eco: A Library of the World (2022)
A documentary immersion into all things Eco, Davide Ferrario’s film takes us on a tour of Umberto Eco’s private library, guided by the author himself. Combining new footage with material he shot with Eco in 2015 for a video installation for the Venice Biennale, Ferrario documents this incredible collection and the man who amassed it. As Eco leads us among the more than 50,000 volumes, we also gain insight into the library of the mind of this vastly prolific and original thinker. -Kanopy
Umberto Eco: A Library of the World takes viewers inside Umberto Eco’s personal library, offering a guided look at the more than 50,000 books he collected over his lifetime. As the film moves through his shelves, it reveals the way Eco thought about knowledge and reading. It’s worth watching for its quiet, immersive look at how a library can become a reflection of a person’s mind and a reminder of the joy of collecting and exploring books.
Ella Spandorf is a Graduate Library Preprofessional (GLP) at The Catholic University of America Libraries