SANTA CRUZ >> Even in today’s digital world, libraries remain valuable community resources. They are places where people can check out books, research information and have access to welcoming spaces, regardless of economic or technological barriers.

That is why the American Library Association hosts National Library Week to celebrate the role that libraries and librarians play in communities. This year, National Library Week is April 6 to 12, and Santa Cruz Public Libraries will be celebrating with a screening of the documentary “Free for All: The Public Library” at three of its branches.

Directed by Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor, “Free for All” focuses on the history of public libraries, from those established by Andrew Carnegie to the “Free Library Movement” pioneered by women to the roles of librarians today in an era marked by library closures and book bans. The documentary will be broadcast nationally on the PBS series “Independent Lens” starting April 29.

Those who do not want to wait will have three opportunities at Santa Cruz Public Libraries within the next two weeks. The first screening is 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Branciforte Branch Library, 230 Gault St., Santa Cruz. The other two screenings are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 10 at the Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road; and 1 to 3 p.m. April 12 at the Scotts Valley Branch Library, 251 Kings Village Road.

Even if not attending the screenings, Santa Cruz Public Libraries are encouraging everybody to visit any of the system’s 10 branches during National Library Week to celebrate the vitality of libraries.

“Millions of people across the country visit their libraries every week,” officials wrote in a news release. “What’s the draw? Everything! From young families stopping in for play and story time, to students sketching out their next creative project in a makerspace, to seniors seeking tech help and everyone in between, libraries help us connect the dots from one part of our journey to the next.”

Register in advance for any of these screenings by going to Santacruzpl.libcal.com/calendar and clicking on the appropriate date.