Content warning: Mention of Suicide

Have you ever wanted to ask a question but decided against it? Maybe it was too personal. Perhaps it could be deemed as offensive. In That Library Show Gerard breaks all boundaries. He asks all the questions that people are too scared to ask. This is the one library where you don’t have to stay silent.

In July of 2023, Derek Gerard released the first episode of That Library Show. This web series enlists a diverse range of guests for Gerard’s unconventional interviews – from a Starbucks employee to a pornstar. Employing a conversational tone, he creates a welcoming environment for people to share their experiences. His main goal is to make whoever’s sitting opposite him comfortable. Ultimately, he’s not there to put his guests on the spot and interrogate them. This is the place that gives unheard voices a platform.

As a homebody, I spend most of my Friday nights in my bedroom. I crave peace and quiet. So, when I first discovered this series, I felt like I had stumbled across a hidden gem. It was exactly what I’d been searching for. The ASMR style provides the perfect nighttime viewing entertainment. Additionally, I’m completely against the new YouTube meta of short, fast-paced 10-minute videos. Gerard goes completely against this with many episodes exceeding 30 minutes. Offering a refreshing escape from short, superficial videos. 

A standout episode for me was ‘A Trans Woman’. In this episode, he sits down with popular YouTuber Julie Vu. At one point Gerard asks Vu if she ‘saved her [sperm]’ before having her sex change operation. In response Vu discusses how that wasn’t her priority, revealing that she was suicidal due to her gender dysphoria. Gerard’s probing questions reveal not just the surface of his guests’ lives but the emotional depth beneath. 

Moreover, this series explores how curiosity isn’t always a bad thing. There are many things that Gerard wishes to learn, and his guests don’t shy away from educating him. It’s refreshing to see the respect and wonder in his approach – he remains inquisitive without being particularly offensive. However, there are some occasions when guests feel too uncomfortable answering a specific question. In the episode titled ‘A Girl With No Arms,’ he asks her whether she uses a bidet. Eventually, it becomes clear that she doesn’t want to answer this question. Instead of prying her further, he moves on. It’s important that Gerard creates boundaries between his guests, he recognises that his guests are human beings: they don’t have to tell us everything.

That Library Show gains its value further through the ordinary, everyday guests. Despite many interviewees having popular careers, they are still somewhat unknown to the mainstream. Unlike other popular YouTube interview shows, such as Hot Ones and Chicken Shop Date, this series shines due to its non-A-Lister guests. The library setting would instantly lose its magic if you replaced ‘A Dating Coach’ with Jennifer Lawrence. I hope that as the show gains further popularity Gerard keeps it as a place for unique characters to share their stories. This isn’t the place for movie stars to promote their new feature film. 

Despite its recent success, the show holds great potential to grow even further. YouTube continues to be a platform where it’s difficult for creators to reach new audiences. If Gerard employed new marketing tactics and a regular uploading schedule, I see this series having a bright future. Overall, if you enjoy listening to raw and unfiltered conversations, this is the show for you. You can stream all episodes for free on YouTube.

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