Video Project Brings Human Rights to Public Libraries

March 19, 2005

From the Human Rights Video Project web site (http://www.humanrightsproject.org):

“The Human Rights Video Project is dedicated to increasing the public's awareness of human rights issues through the medium of documentary films. The program also aims to build a broad community of filmmakers, librarians, activists, teachers and other citizens interested in using independent video to effect social change in their communities. We believe in the importance the public library as a place for community discussion and learning, and we hope that this project will create new, powerful alliances between public libraries and local advocacy organizations.

“The core of the program is a collection of 12 documentary films selected by a panel of human rights professionals, librarians and filmmakers. The collection was distributed free of charge to 300 public libraries nationwide. Additionally, 50 libraries received funding to create screening and discussion programs in collaboration with local advocacy organizations.

“The project was created by National Video Resources (www.nvr.org) in partnership with the American Library Association (www.ala.org) Public Programs Office. It was made possible with generous grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation.”