HAGERSTOWN – The Washington County Free Library is preparing to shine a spotlight on both its rich history and the essential role that public libraries continue to play in communities nationwide with a special screening of “Free for All: The Public Library.”
Released on April 29 by Indie Lens and Maryland Public Television, the 60-minute documentary highlights the stories of women who founded libraries and celebrates the enduring value these institutions bring to people of all ages.
The film, now airing on Maryland Public Television and available for streaming online, is being shown at locations across the state through June. Washington County’s downtown Hagerstown location, known as the Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Library, will host a public screening in its community room on Tuesday, May 13, at 5:30 p.m.
According to Lauren Buechmann, head of public relations and marketing at the Washington County Free Library, the event offers more than just a documentary. “We feel very happy about this,” Buechmann said. “Not only are we supporting libraries in general, but it also features our library. We have a long, proud history here.”
That history includes a significant milestone: Washington County is credited with starting the first bookmobile service in the United States in 1898, a program the library still runs today with two modern bookmobiles. “Mary Titcomb, who founded the bookmobile here, was also the first executive director of our library,” Buechmann explained. “So it’s a pretty big deal to have our story shared on this platform.”
But beyond the historical significance, Buechmann hopes the screening will spark important conversations about the evolving role of libraries in the modern era. “We just had a ‘Love Your Library Day’ for National Library Week a couple of weeks ago,” she noted. “It warms our heart to hear how libraries have affected people, whether it’s being brought to story times as a kid, or learning later in life that borrowing books or streaming movies on Kanopy can save you time and money.”
Buechmann emphasized that libraries offer far more than books these days, a fact not everyone in the community realizes. “People are really starting to catch on that we aren’t just about books, although we love books,” she said. “We’ve got history programs, music programs, Spanish language classes, business resources and even programs to help people start their own business or work on school projects. We’re constantly evolving to stay relevant.”
This screening marks the first documentary event focused on libraries that the Washington County Free Library has hosted in recent years, although the space has been used for various community screenings in the past. “We’ve shown regular movies before; we even did a big ‘Blair Witch Project’ showing in October,” Buechmann recalled. “But this one’s special, and it’s open to everybody. You don’t need a library card; you don’t need to live here; and you don’t even have to be a regular patron. We want new faces in the building.”
When asked why public libraries are sometimes overlooked in communities, Buechmann pointed to generational habits and a lack of awareness about all the services libraries now provide. “I think it just slips by people sometimes,” she said. “Older folks love their books and history programs. We get tweens, teens and young adults too, but it’s a smaller group. That’s something we’re working on, trying to bridge that gap and show younger generations why this place matters to them too.”
Through this documentary, she hopes to give audiences a better understanding of both the historical importance and modern versatility of libraries. “Most people probably don’t know that the universal public library symbol, the little person reading a book, was created right here at our library in 1978,” Buechmann shared. “It wasn’t a thing before that. That’s just one of the fun tidbits people might pick up from this documentary.”
The event aligns closely with the library’s overall mission for the year. “Our tagline is ‘Where people and possibilities meet,’” Buechmann explained. “And that’s what this is about, showing people what’s possible, getting them through the doors, and letting them see it for themselves.”
Special guests at the screening will include Jenny Bakos, the library’s current executive director, one of only a handful since the library’s founding in 1898, as well as Stephen Schutte, president of the library’s board of trustees. “We’re also hoping to have another executive director from a Maryland library come in to speak, just to really show what we’re doing to keep libraries open, funded, and relevant,” Buechmann added.
And of course, no community screening would be complete without popcorn. “Warehouse Cinemas was kind enough to donate popcorn for the event,” Buechmann mentioned. “It’s a small thing, but it’s part of what makes this fun and welcoming.”
While the documentary is appropriate for all ages, Buechmann noted it will likely resonate most with teens, young adults and older community members. “We don’t want anyone to feel like they can’t come because of age or because they don’t have a card,” she stressed. “Bring the kids, bring whoever, it’s for everyone.”
When asked to sum up what the event means to her personally, Buechmann chose one powerful word: free. “Not only is the film called ‘Free for All,’ but we’re the Washington County Free Library,” she reflected. “It can be hard to afford things these days, and we want people to remember that so many resources here are already theirs. You pay your taxes, you help fund this place, and it’s for you. Whether you need a book, a quiet space or program for your business idea, we want to have it here for you. Free.”
The “Free for All: The Public Library” screening will take place at the Fletcher Library in downtown Hagerstown in the large community room at 100 South Potomac St.
To register, readers may click here
For more information, they may visit washcolibrary.org or follow the library’s social media pages.
