Each year, a handful of newly released documentaries get a lot of attention. A recent, notable example: two new documentaries about the disastrous Fyre Festival, just released on Netflix and Hulu, both of which share revelations that are all over the news. If you watch a documentary that grabs your attention and won’t let go, what should you do next? What’s the best way to take a deeper dive?

Before starting your post-viewing research

One word of warning before you begin: Did you finish watching the entire documentary? It might seem strange to think of "spoiler alerts" when discussing topics that may have been in the news, but even if you saw the headlines and read some articles when the story first broke, you probably don’t know everything that happened.

The danger of watching a longer documentary, especially a series, is that you might be tempted to start researching the topic before getting to the end of the documentary. The information you discover might be enlightening, but it might also spoil some dramatic reveals that will appear later in the documentary.

Take it from me! I learned more about Robert Durst than I expected part of the way throughThe Jinx documentary series, and then had to avert my eyes as quickly as possible so that I wouldn’t ruin the ending of the series for myself!

However, if you are definitely ready to start learning more about the topic you just watched, you can always:
 

Google Your Topic

This is probably the first instinct for most people after watching a documentary, and it will lead to plenty of information and opinions from all types of sources. A Google search provides a good start when looking for answers to questions like "Where are they now?" or "Is that person still in prison?" 

Just keep in mind that Googling will lead to everything from articles and blog posts to social media, so there might be a lot of sifting to go through to find accurate information.
 

Use the Library Catalog to Find Books About Your Subject

Browse through the NYPL catalog to look for information about your subject in many different formats including books, ebooks, audiobooks, and videos.
 

Use Databases to Access Articles, Encyclopedias, and More

Have your library card with you when you visit our database page. Many of our databases can be accessed from anywhere by entering your barcode number (click on "available at home with library card" to access these). In terms of finding accurate information, this is a step up from Googling because you’ll see information that went through a stricter editing process.
 

Look For More Documentaries About Similar Topics

There are plenty of places to look for documentaries that can expand your mind and give you new perspectives on a variety of topics. With a New York Public Library card, you can browse our DVD collection to have movies sent to your closest library.
 

Think Like a Librarian—Expand the Scope of Your Topic!

Did you just finish watching the Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary, RBG? In addition to learning more about Ginsburg, expand your search to learn about other accomplished women or learn more about the history of the Supreme Court.

Did watching Blackfish, the documentary about the life of whales at SeaWorld, make you feel angry and fill you with questions? You can research whales, and SeaWorld, and animals in captivity.

After watching the Fyre Festival documentaries, were you horrified to see how many people were made promises by companies that couldn’t deliver? Visit the Better Business Bureau website to learn more about the companies you deal with, and use this information to protect yourself from making a similar mistake!

Lift Your Spirits!

Hang on, this doesn’t sound like research advice!

I know it doesn’t, but let me explain. Lots of documentaries out there (and plenty that I watch) are about depressing subjects like crimes and scandals. While I love watching that type of documentary, I can’t watch too many in a row or I’ll get depressed. There’s always the danger that after watching so many downer documentaries, you may start to lose faith in humanity or never want to leave the house again.

So, in closing, I wanted to mention there are documentaries about uplifting subjects, like the new Fred Rogers documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? ,to make your heart feel a little lighter.

And remember that even when documentaries fill you with anger or frustration, that can turn into a force of good. Many people had very strong reactions to the pair of documentaries about the Fyre Festival, and have turned those emotions into financial support for some people who lost their savings.

So, if the documentaries you love start getting you down, remember that, sometimes, even tragic stories can have happy endings!