Jacksonville Public Library, NEFLIN and Sun-Ray Cinema partner together to offer a free special screening of “The Public” during Jacksonville Public Library’s National Library Week campaign. This event takes place on Sunday, April 3 and is free and open to all. Join us to kick off National Library Week - register here for free tickets!
About The Film
Emilio Estevez’s feature film “The Public” sheds light on the issues of homelessness and public libraries. The film, rated PG-13, takes place (and was filmed at) the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. It tells the story of librarians Stuart Goodson (Emilio Estevez) and Myra (Jena Malone) who see their regular winter day shaken up when homeless patrons decide to take shelter in their library for the night. What starts as a peaceful sit-in quickly escalates into a face-off with the police and the media. This story tackles some of our nation's most challenging issues, homelessness and mental illness and sets the drama inside one of the last bastions of democracy-in-action: your public library.
Estevez previewed the film at the American Library Association’s Midwinter conference in 2019, and did an hour-long Q&A afterward. He is a strong advocate for public libraries and the work that librarians do. “Librarians have become de facto social workers, first responders, and the unsung heroes of our day,” says Estevez.
Click here to watch the film trailer.
About National Library Week
National Library Week (April 3 - 9, 2022) is a time to celebrate our nation's libraries, library workers' contributions and promote library use and support. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and observed in libraries across the country each April.
The theme for National Library Week 2022, “Connect with Your Library,” promotes the idea that libraries are places to get connected to technology by using broadband, computers, and other resources. Libraries also offer opportunities to connect with media, programs, ideas, and classes—in addition to books. Most importantly libraries also connect communities to each other. Overall, the theme is an explicit call to action—an invitation for communities to join, visit, or advocate for their local libraries.
This event is part of the Jacksonville Public Library’s National Library Week campaign. A library card is not required to attend. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Seating is limited to 110. First-come, first-served. Concessions are not provided. There is no overflow seating available. Get free tickets here.
