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Free Screening: The Public

Sun-Ray Cinema

Jacksonville Public Library + NEFLIN + Sun-Ray Cinema partner together to offer a free special screening of “The Public” during Jacksonville Public Library’s National Library Week campaign. This event is free and open to all. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Seating is limited. First-come, first-served. There is no overflow seating available.

Jacksonville Public Library + NEFLIN + Sun-Ray Cinema partner together to offer a free special screening of “The Public” during Jacksonville Public Library’s National Library Week campaign. This event takes place on Sunday, April 3 at Sun-Ray Cinema and is free and open to all. Join us to kick off National Library Week by registering now for free tickets!

About The Film
Emilio Estevez’s feature film “The Public” sheds light on the issues of homelessness and public libraries. The film, rated PG-13, takes place (and was filmed at) the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. It tells the story of librarians Stuart Goodson (Emilio Estevez) and Myra (Jena Malone) who see their regular winter day shaken up when homeless patrons decide to take shelter in their library for the night. What starts as a peaceful sit-in quickly escalates into a face-off with the police and the media. This story tackles some of our nation's most challenging issues, homelessness and mental illness and sets the drama inside one of the last bastions of democracy-in-action: your public library. 

Estevez previewed the film at the American Library Association’s Midwinter conference in 2019, and did an hour-long Q&A afterward. He is a strong advocate for public libraries and the work that librarians do. 
“Librarians have become de facto social workers, first responders, and the unsung heroes of our day,” says Estevez. 

This event is part of the Jacksonville Public Library’s National Library Week campaign. Here is the film trailer: https://www.thepublicfilm.com/   

About National Library Week
National Library Week (April 3 - 9, 2022) is a time to celebrate our nation's libraries, library workers' contributions and promote library use and support. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and observed in libraries across the country each April.

The theme for National Library Week 2022, “Connect with Your Library,” promotes the idea that libraries are places to get connected to technology by using broadband, computers, and other resources. Libraries also offer opportunities to connect with media, programs, ideas, and classes—in addition to books. Most importantly libraries also connect communities to each other. Overall, the theme is an explicit call to action—an invitation for communities to join, visit, or advocate for their local libraries. 

This event is part of the Jacksonville Public Library’s National Library Week campaign. A library card is not required to attend. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Seating is limited to 110. Concessions are not provided. There is no overflow seating available. After registering, you will receive an email confirmation. Please be sure to bring that with you to the event. 

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request. Please allow 1–2 business days to process. Last-minute requests will be accepted, but may not be possible to fulfill. Please ask for Learning Services at 255-2665 or email JPLPromotions@coj.net.