Reader. Voter. Ready.
Take action
- Celebrate Civic Holidays this fall
- Use customizable graphics to inform voters about events and deadlines
- Share voter information with VOTE411.org/ALA
Webinar Recording - Getting Our Communities Reader Voter Ready
Library leaders from across the country - and across library types - joined to share how their libraries are getting patrons registered, informed, & ready to vote!
Voting is one of the greatest privileges and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States. Yet, turnout in national elections is consistently lower than two-thirds of eligible voters. Participation rates among multiple demographic groups and in state or local elections are often lower still. There is frequent talk about the critical role of libraries in our democracy. What does that look like in practice? Libraries are nonpartisan, but they are not indifferent. As institutions that provide access to information, resources, programs, and public spaces for all members of a community, libraries are a cornerstone for civic engagement and more important than ever.
Collaborative Resources - ALA & League of Women Voters
Designed in collaboration with the League of Women Voters, this toolkit provides resources and tips for building on-the-ground collaboration with community organizations like local LWV chapters!
Highlighting local library/LWV partnerships collaborating on civic education, voter engagement, running for office, and dealing with dis/misinformation. Speakers shared actionable ideas and key learnings from their work together.
Register to vote or check your registration with Vote 411 from the League of Women Voters
Voter Engagement Resources
Social Media Graphics
Help spread the word - download our suite of customizable social media graphics, bookmark layouts, & more to promote voter engagement at your library!
From bookmarks to event graphics, we have the customizable images your library needs to get patrons Reader, Voter, Ready! Check out our full suite of graphics.
NEW: Inspiring Future Voters Booklist
Designed by ALSC in collaboration with Booklist, "Inspiring Future Voters: A Booklist for Young Readers" is a new resource for educators, library workers, and families serving youth populations of all ages to help instill the importance and impact of voting. Featuring over 2 dozen titles for age groups birth through young adult, this list helps introduce the topics of elections, civic participation, and democracy. Learn more about this new project, read the full booklist, and check out our new downloadable bookmarks!
ALA-LWV 2024 Election Collaboration Toolkit
Designed in collaboration with the League of Women Voters, this toolkit provides resources and tips for building on-the-ground collaboration with community organizations like local LWV chapters!
ALA supports the work of all types of libraries and partner organizations to increase voter engagement in all communities. Read more and find resources and ideas in ALA's Voter Engagement Guide!
Voters Count on Libraries: The Numbers
How do libraries support voters? Every day, across the country, through registrations, candidate forums, civic education programs, and more. See the data in Voters Count on Libraries.
Libraries and Voters: Local Leaders Tip Sheet
Use this one-page handout with your local election commission, elected officials, leaders, and organizational partners to highlight the ways libraries support voter participation and education
Need inspiration? Check out these stories from other libraries!
New York: Voting is a Family Affair at Brooklyn Public Library!
Oklahoma: Norman North High School’s Voter Registration Dream Team.
Maine: Partnering to Serve Maine Readers and Voters
Texas: Engaging New Voters Through Issues that Resonate
Ohio: Voter Collaborative Amplifies Impact in Cincinnati
Submit your library's story to share with the Reader Voter Ready community!
Volunteers at Norman North High School in OK registering voters
Webinars
League of Women Voters and America's Libraries: Partners to Count On
Highlighting local library/LWV partnerships collaborating on civic education, voter engagement, running for office, and dealing with dis/misinformation. Speakers shared actionable ideas and key learnings from their work together.
Additional Resources
State Voting & Election Toolkits-ALA's Government Documents Round Table
Developed by a team of librarians from across the country, the toolkits provide state-by-state voting and election information, including registration forms, polling places, deadlines, and more. General resources such as lesson plans and voting hotlines are included as well. GODORT (Government Documents Round Table) created these resources so that librarians can use as-is or adapt to meet the information needs of their libraries.
Voting and Election Resources for Teachers and Students-ALA's Government Documents Round Table
This collection of civic education resources from government agencies includes lesson plans, overviews of federal government, and resources to help students learn how to be informed voters.
Media Literacy in the Library: A Guide for Library Practitioners-ALA
This guide offers resources and ideas to plan programs and activities to teach media literacy skills to adults and to integrate these skills into programming already in place at libraries. Chapters include architecture of the internet, civics, misinformation and disinformation, and more.
ALA Voter Engagement Partners
Libraries and Voter Engagement in the News
For additional information on ALA's voter engagement resources, contact:
Gavin Baker,
Deputy Director, Public Policy and Government Relations
gbaker@alawash.org
For press and media requests related to ALA's voter engagement activities, contact:
Shawnda Hines
Deputy Director, Communications
Public Policy & Advocacy
shines@alawash.org
