Are you ready to vote?  Learn to make confident decisions in the upcoming elections.  

This election year the Michael Schwartz Library is offering a series of workshops, engaging speakers, interactive displays, and more, all aimed at helping you navigate the complexities of democracy. Whether you're learning how to register to vote, exploring key issues, or discovering how to spot misinformation, Democracy 101 provides the tools and knowledge you need to make informed decisions. Let's work together to ensure that every vote is thoughtful and informed.


Fall 2024 Events, Resources, & Opportunities
 

Free Workshops:  Avoiding Election-Related Misinformation

October 22, 11:30-12:20pm 
October 23, 4:00-4:50pm

Register Here

Strengthen your ability to discern credible information in a world full of misinformation. This workshop will equip you with the skills to critically evaluate sources, spot misleading content, and make informed decisions in your academic work. 

Avoiding Misinformation Research Guide



Civic Engagement & Voting

Democracy 101: Informed Voting


National Voter Registration Day is September 17th

New voter? Don't know if you registered to vote? The Office of Civic Engagement will host voter registration tables on 9/17 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the lobby of the library and the Student Center Innerlink.  Take a moment to get registered to vote, update your voter registrations, or get help with an application to vote-by-mail.  Please stop by!

Informed Voting Cart
While you're there, your CSU Librarians can help you learn how to register, avoid misinformation, and research the issues that matter most to you at our “Informed Voting Cart”.  Our resources are designed to help you cast your vote with knowledge and confidence…please stop by! 


Constitution Day Events in the LibrarySeptember 17th is Constitution Day

Book Display
Constitution Day is September 17th. Stop by the first floor of the library to see our book display celebrating this important holiday!


Connect with Faculty Series:
"To Form a More Loving (Perfect) Union: Love as a Principle of Democracy, Free Speech, and Racial Equality" 
Professor Reginald Oh, CSU College of Law

Tuesday, September 17th
11:30-12:30
Michael Schwartz Library Connection Lounge 
(1st Floor, west of the front desk)

This presentation will explain that love is perhaps the most important constitutional principle of democracy. Love is implied in key parts of the Constitution: the Preamble, the Bill of Rights, and the Fourteenth Amendment. Love is the constitutional glue that can transform a divided nation of us versus them into We the People. The presentation will discuss how love informed Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court decision that struck down racial segregation in public schools in 1954. It will also discuss how love can guide us in navigating difficult freedom of speech issues such as the debate over what books are appropriate for school libraries and classrooms.

Presented as part of the Friends of the Michael Schwartz Library "Connect with Faculty" Series


Banned Books Week Events in the Library
Have you read a banned book?


Banned Books Week is September 22-28th. Check out our banned books display and take a “mugshot” selfie with your favorite banned book. Show your support for the freedom to read!

 


free webinar:
Stand Up and Speak Out! How You Can Help Fight Library Censorship
Dr. Belinda Boon, Kent State University iSchool
September 24th, 11:30-12:30, virtual

Register Here

Over the past several years, schools and public libraries have experienced unprecedented numbers of challenges from conservative groups and lawmakers targeting books on the experiences of Black, indigenous, and people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. But a growing number of individuals and groups are fighting back against would-be censors and helping to combat the growing spread of mis- and dis-information. This webinar covers some of the issues involved in preserving intellectual freedom and offers suggestions for how you CAN make a difference!

Presented in collaboration with the Michael Schwartz Library Friends of the Library 


The Michael Schwartz Library has partnered with the CSU Office of Civic Engagement to provide multiple sources of information in preparation for the upcoming elections. See the Office of Civic Engagement website for additional resources, information about upcoming events, and more.