I did this!

At some point last year, an old vintage friend shared information with me about a newly released documentary titled “The Librarians.” She had some advance notice on the film because she is friendly with one of the producers (name drop: Kerry Cuomo Cole) and the film was attracting a good buzz, along with prizes, on the awards circuit.

My friend knew I would be interested in this movie about the current environment facing librarians across the country, one in which right wing organizations are inserting themselves into school and public libraries for the sole purpose of removing materials which they find to be objectionable.

Of course this topic, one near and dear to me, is important to me both professionally and personally and I was eager to view it. I patiently waited for the announcement of a screening in the Albany area, scouring the internet and the film’s website.

And I waited.

And I waited some more before finally recognizing that maybe I needed to play a more active role in getting this movie onto a screen in the state’s capital.

So, I sent an email to a contact listed on The Librarians’ website and began a dialogue with a woman connected with the film. The communication was, at times, frustratingly slow, but I continued to hope that maybe, just maybe, the folks involved with the film would be able to make this happen.

During a lull in our emails, I reached out to the NYS Writers Institute thinking that maybe they could bring the film to town. The result? Another long delayed response with a message of a showing at some point in 2026.

I finally took it upon myself to connect the owner of Albany’s best movie theater, The Spectrum 8 and the folks involved with the movie’s bookings. A few months later, I had a confirmed date and time: Wednesday, 1/21 @6:00 pm.

Because I love to support local businesses and organize informative and fun events, I reached out to The Delaware restaurant and asked if they would collaborate with me. Their generous response was to offer an incentive for filmgoers to enjoy specially priced appetizers and cocktails in their lovely space, pre or post showing.

The film has a 90 minute run time and the restaurant opens at 4:00 pm – perfect timing to get in a midweek movie and nosh and still be home by 9:00.

Last year I organized a few movie and dinner events, which I dubbed the Women’s Wednesday Watch & Wine Society and I’m billing the showing of The Librarians as one of these, with an exception – this one is not exclusive to women. Grab a friend, bring your spouse or your book club, and get yourself to Delaware Avenue on January 21st.

Support local businesses and libraries. Our country would be greatly diminished without them. ✌🏼