Tuesday May 12 | 5:30 PM | screening room Warszawa
Meeting: A Chilling Effect in the Library
after the screening of THE LIBRARIANS, dir. Kim A. Snyder
Partner: Gdynia Library
The American documentary 'The Librarians' portrays library staff as frontline fighters in the battle for democracy, facing overt attacks and demands to remove books. Is the Polish reality a safe haven, or rather an area of “preventive self-censorship”? A discussion following the film, based on the only study in Poland examining the pressure exerted on libraries, will allow us to examine the mechanism of the 'chilling effect', which paralyses the institution’s activities more effectively than direct bans. The paradox of neutrality will be analysed: rather than serving as genuine objectivity, it sometimes becomes a mask for fear of controversy and a lack of systemic procedures. The discussion will focus on how to build the resilience of cultural institutions so they do not become merely ‘passive rental outlets’ amid growing ideological tensions.
Guest:
Natalia Gromow – Director of Gdynia Library, Pomeranian Librarian of the Year 2025. As the jury pointed out, she is a modern cultural manager who is developing the Gdynia Library as an open ‘third place’ and a public good. Her leadership style – based on trust, empathy and team building – creates a safe working environment that fosters development and shared responsibility.
Moderator:
Przemek Rydzewski
