Review of Ex Libris: The New York Public Library (2017) by Sue B — 15 Oct 2017

An excellent, stripped-down documentary about the New York Public Library. From the boardroom to the reference desk, this film presents, without narration or commentary of any sort, a glimpse of the many activities of the library's staff and patrons.

There are beautiful shots of the main branch, job fairs, books being sorted, deaf patrons learning to read braille, and on and on, for over 3 hours. It's actually riveting and there is a bit of humour here and there, like the fire fighter speaking at the job fair and describing how he found himself delivering a baby followed by a border control agent with a lame presentation that would appeal only to those in desperate need of a job.

Also interesting, just how fatuous and extraneous the administration seems to be, based on their meetings.