Ex Libris Showing

Settle in for an immersive look at one of the world’s great public institutions with a special screening of Ex Libris by legendary documentarian Frederick Wiseman 🎬📚

This sweeping, cinéma vérité portrait of the New York Public Library captures the full ecosystem of a modern library—its public services, behind-the-scenes operations, intellectual programming, and vital role as a civic space. Moving between boardrooms, branch libraries, lectures, and everyday patron interactions, Ex Libris reveals the library as a living, evolving organism at the heart of democracy, access, and lifelong learning.

Presented for free at the Main Library in collaboration with Troy-based microcinema Picture Lock One, this screening invites you to experience the depth and complexity of library work—and perhaps see your own library in a new light.

⏱️ Please note: This is a full-length screening (3+ hours).
💬 Following the film, stick around for an optional, informal conversation led by Picture Lock One—open to all who want to reflect, discuss, and dig deeper.

Free and open to the public.