Our Library

This documentary begins with a catastrophe: a 2009 storm rapidly dumps seven inches of rain onto the historic Carnegie library in Louisville, KY, and results in millions of dollars in damage. The community and individuals from 38 states raise funds to get the library reopened in nine days. From this sad starting point, viewers learn the history of the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) and of the importance of libraries as an institution. Working with myriad interviews, cheeky narration by local songwriter Will Oldham, archival photographs, and short vignettes with staff as they do their jobs, Our Library attempts to show how impactful LFPL is to its community. Of course, library professionals already know this, but Atkinson attempts to spread the good word so nonlibrary professionals and nonusers of libraries know just how relevant these institutions are.