The Henry Madden Library Diversity Committee will host a screening of the documentary “Change the Subject” from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, in the library room 2206.

The film tells the story of a group of students at Dartmouth College whose effort to change an anti-immigrant sentiment in their library catalog took them all the way to the halls of Congress. “Change the Subject” shows how an instance of campus activism entered the national spotlight, and how a library cataloging term became a flash point in the national immigration debate.

While researching immigration, a Dartmouth College student kept encountering the term “illegal aliens” as a library subject heading. As a person who had grown up undocumented in Georgia, she was disturbed by this institutional subject heading, which is considered a slur. So, she did something about it: she and other students joined librarians in petitioning the Library of Congress to change its terminology.

“Change the Subject” tells the story of these students’ journey, and also considers the ways that language is often weaponized to divide and dehumanize people.

“We hope this screening will contribute awareness to the Fresno State community by showing viewers what activism can do,” said Sarah Pech, chair of the Henry Madden Library Diversity Committee. “Also, it reminds us all how important the role of libraries and education institutions are in providing social and academic growth opportunities, both negatively and positively. We hope the screening contributes to the community in such a way where individuals are able to feel comfortable in expressing their thoughts and opinions on all subjects.”

The library has invited Dr. Yuleinys A. Castillo, assistant professor in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, to mediate a discussion after the screening.

Admission to the film is free. For more information on the film or the Library Diversity Committee, please contact Sarah Pech at 559.278.3009 or pechsar@mail.fresnostate.edu.