Did you miss the voter registration event at the DeKalb Public Library on September 8? Don’t worry— there’s another opportunity to register coming up soon!
Join us at DeKalb Public Library on September 29 for another drop-in voter registration event. We’ll be joined by representatives from the County Clerk and Recorder’s Office, who will be available to provide information and assistance with voter registration. Whether you’re registering for the first time, need to update your registration, or simply have questions about the voting process, we’re here to help. And remember: you don’t have to wait for a special event to register! You can register to vote at DeKalb Public Library any time we’re open by stopping at the Adult Reference Desk; just bring two documents proving identification (one document must show your current address). Not sure if you’re registered to vote? Check your registration status here.
Make Your Voice Heard
Looking for another way to get involved? Stop by our “Write a Postcard to a Representative” display in the Adult Services department! Take a few minutes to write to your representatives about the issues that matter to you. Writing to your representatives is one way to participate in the civic process and share your thoughts directly with the people who represent you. At the display, you’ll find:
- A variety of America 250- themed postcards to choose from
- Mailing addresses for local, state, and federal representatives
- A list of topics and ideas to consider writing about
- Voting guides and other civic resources
- Grammar books to help you polish your message
Once you’ve written and addressed your postcard, simply slip it in the submission box. We’ll apply the stamp and make sure it’s on its way with the mail carrier the very next day!
Know Your Rights
The DeKalb Public Library will host an upcoming Know Your Rights training on Saturday, November 14. This 1.5-hour training will be provided by DeKalb Migrant Aid and will provide an opportunity to learn more about your rights and how to navigate situations where knowing those rights can be important. Read more about the training here.
Your Library, Your Polling Place
The DeKalb Public Library will be closed to serve as a polling place in the upcoming election on Tuesday, November 3. This means community members will have a convenient local location where they can cast their ballots on Election Day. If you plan to vote at the library, be sure to check your polling-place information ahead of time, as voting locations vary depending on your precinct.
Read, Learn, Engage
Civic engagement starts with being informed. The library has plenty of books available on our shelves and through inter-library loan that can help readers learn more about government, democracy, voting, media literacy, and what it means to participate in a community. Consider checking out these titles:
- Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America by Heather Cox Richardson
- A vital narrative that explains how America, once a beacon of democracy, now teeters on the brink of autocracy–and how we can turn back.
- American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union by Jon Meacham
- This anthology covers a wide spectrum of history, from 1619 to the twenty-first century, with primary-source documents that take us back to critical moments in which Americans fought over the meaning and the direction of the national experiment.
- The Revolutionary Constitution by David J. Bodenhamer
- Bodenhamer provides a comprehensive new look at America’s basic law, integrating the latest legal scholarship with historical context to highlight how it has evolved over time.
- The People’s Guide to the United States Constitution by Dave Kluge
- Surveys show most Americans have not read and understood our Constitution even though it is just 25 pages long. The People’s Guide to the United States Constitution is an easy-to-read and understand, spin-free guide to our founding documents.
- Raising Critical Thinkers: A Parent’s Guide by Julie Bogart
- Bogart offers practical tools to help children at every stage of development to grow in their ability to explore the world around them, examine how their loyalties and biases affect their beliefs, and generate fresh insight rather than simply recycling what they’ve been taught.
- All We Say: The Battle for American Identity by Ben Rhodes
- Rhodes tells the story of fifteen speeches– some iconic, others long forgotten– that have both shaped and reflected the argument Americans have been having from our founding to the intense divisions of our time.
DeKalb Public Library is here to help you stay informed and engaged in your community. We invite you to come create, collaborate, and grow with us! If you have questions about our building, services, materials, or any suggestions, please reach out to us at [email protected] or 815-756-9568 ext. 2150, or stop by and see us during our open hours. Happy reading!