NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 14, 2025) — The New Rochelle Public Library and its foundation will host a free screening of the PBS documentary “Free for All: The Public Library” on Thursday, June 5, at 6:00 p.m., followed by a panel discussion with local leaders in education, library services, and civic engagement. The event, held at the Ossie Davis Theater at 1 Library Plaza, aims to highlight the public library’s role as a democratic institution.
The documentary, directed by Dawn Logsdon and produced by Lucie Faulknor, chronicles the “Free Library Movement” led by pioneering women and highlights librarians navigating modern challenges like closures and book bans. It celebrates the creation of a civic institution where access is free and open to all. Logsdon, known for “Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans,” brings her expertise as a director and editor, while Faulknor, founder of Serendipity Films, LLC, leverages her background in arts management and documentary production.
A panel discussion will follow, featuring Eugenia Schatoff, Director of the New Rochelle Public Library; Dr. LaRuth Gray, educator and author; Terry Kirchner, Executive Director of the Westchester Library System; and Tatiana Infante, library trustee. Theresa Kump Leghorn, a board member of the New Rochelle Public Library Foundation, will moderate. Light refreshments will be served afterward.
“This film is a beautiful and timely reminder of the power of the public library as a democratic institution,” said Schatoff, who was named the 2023 Innovative Library Director of the Year by the New York Library Association. “In New Rochelle, we are proud to serve as a welcoming place where community members of all backgrounds can learn, connect, and grow.”
Kirchner, who has led the Westchester Library System since 2009, added, “Free for All celebrates the enduring values of access, equity, and opportunity. Libraries remain a vital force for positive change, particularly for those who have been historically underserved or marginalized.”
The panelists bring diverse expertise. Gray, a former superintendent, has advocated for educational equity for decades. Infante, elected trustee in 2023, focuses on community engagement. Leghorn, an arts and civic leader, serves on the New Rochelle Council on the Arts.
The event is open to the public with limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration is requested at bit.ly/FFA060525.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.