Roadtrip Nation, the PBS documentary series that sends three people across the United States in an RV to explore what it means to build a career—and more importantly, a life—around the things you love, has dropped its new season, and libraries are at the forefront for a portion.
In the two-episode arc, “Beyond Books,” three aspiring librarians take a road trip to explore all the surprising, powerful, and essential roles libraries play in our communities today—online, in rural areas, and more. Along the way, they learn from community leaders and caretakers of knowledge just how vibrant and dynamic a career in libraries can be and discover the unique impact they each can bring when it comes to creating a space that’s truly for everyone.
In their travels from Chicago to Los Angeles, they speak with people like Mychal Threets, resident librarian at PBS and PBS Kids and host of “Reading Rainbow,” Shamichael Hallman, director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity at the Urban Libraries Council, Chris Brown, commissioner of Chicago Public Library, Kate Laughlin, the executive director of the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, and Sara Mawhirter a reference and instruction librarian at Linda Hall Library in Kansas City, Missouri.
The roadtrippers also meet and learn from Sam Helmick, the community and access services coordinator at Iowa City (Iowa) Public Library, and immediate past president of the American Library Association. Sam shared with the trio their career roadmap and how they work with their team to serve everyone in the community.
“There’s a public misconception that librarians are gatekeepers of information because, historically, stacks had been closed and that’s how it was,“ Sam said. “But libraries haven’t been that way for many years now. In reality, we’re thought partners, we’re friends, and we’re in this together. Librarians are here to help the public wayfind, not to hold information back. That’s the message we’re still working to establish culturally.”
You can find the episodes airing on PBS (check local listings) or streaming at PBS online now.
Watch the trailer below:
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Photo: Sam Helmick (left) and the Roadtrip Nation “Beyond Books” cast take a selfie. Courtesy of Roadtrip Nation.
