Welcome!

Welcome to Democracy 101 at the Michael Schwartz Library! This initiative offers 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. 

Office of Civic Engagement Partnership

The Michael Schwartz Library has partnered with the CSU Office of Civic Engagement to provide multiple sources of information in preparation for the upcoming election, including on this guide and our Voting Guide. See the Office of Civic Engagement website for additional resources, information about upcoming events, and more.

Additional Questions?

Please don't hesitate to reach out to a CSU librarian if you have questions about anything you find on this guide!

Fall 2024 Events, Resources, & Opportunities

Civic Engagement & Voting

• Informed Voting Cart
  • Join the CSU librarians in collaboration with the Office of Civic Engagement at the "Informed Voting" cart, where we empower you to make confident decisions in the upcoming elections. Look for our cart at many of the voter registration tables to learn how to register, avoid misinformation, and research the issues that matter most to you. Our resources are designed to help you cast your vote with knowledge and confidence! Plus, while you're there, take a moment to get registered to vote, update your voter registrations, or get assistance to apply to vote-by-mail.

Constitution Day

• Constitution Day Display
  • Constitution Day is September 17th. Stop by the first floor of the library to see our book display celebrating this important holiday!
• "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
  • September 17th, 11:30-12:30, Michael Schwartz Library Connection Lounge (1st Floor, west of the front desk)
  • Presented as part of the Friends of the Michael Schwartz Library "Connect with Faculty" Series
  • 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.

Banned Books Week

• Banned Books Display
  • Banned Books Week is September 22-28th. Check out our banned books display and take a pose with your favorite banned book!
• 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!
  • Presented in collaboration with the MSL Friends of the Library
  • DESCRIPTION: 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!

Avoiding Election-Related Misinformation

• Avoiding Misinformation Workshops
  • October 22, 11:30-12:20pm 
  • October 23, 4:00-4:50pm
• Avoiding Misinformation Research Guide

Fall 2023 Events, Resources, & Opportunities

Fall 2022 Events, Resources, & Opportunities