LibGuides Home: Civic/Social Literacy: Partners & Programs

What Does Civic Literacy Encompass?

Understanding of democracy, government, 3 branches and their powers, checks and balances
Ability to identify one's own elected representatives (local, state, US)
Foundational documents – Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, Bill of Rights, additional amendments
Voter registration, voter rights, how to vote, informed voting
How a bill becomes a law
How to run for office or help someone run
Role of the Supreme Court
Mechanisms and structure of the US legal system
Jury duty, the role of the jury in the legal system
Role of the press/media
Municipal government structures, legislative process at municipal level, role of town committees
Communicating with elected officials
Consciousness about the issues that are most important to an individual and her/his community
Volunteerism/community service
Public service – elected or volunteer
FOIA, public records, archives
Role of the federal government in shaping the economy
Citizenship
Political vehicles for representing public opinion and effecting political change
Engaging in dialogue with those who hold different perspectives
Utilizing non-electoral means to voice opinion (protest, petitioning, surveying, letter writing, boycotting, and so on)
Organizing and demonstrating

And more!

There are many organizations and agencies in Connecticut that can partner with libraries on public programming:

League of Women Voters of CT
The LWV has many regional chapters around the state. They also offer voter services and a guide to Civics 101.
ACLU of Connecticut
The American Civil Liberties Union offers speakers with legal, advocacy, and other expertise to engage with the community and raise awareness of civil liberties issues.
Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
CCM offers training and tools for engaging the community.
Everyday Democracy
Connecticut-based Everyday Democracy can help your library build capacity to engage your community in creating change.
Connecticut's Kid Governor
Timed to coincide with Election Day in November, each school in CT is eligible to enter one student candidate into a statewide election that other 5th graders can vote in.

From "Socialized Justice: Civic Engagement Teens Want," 10 Essential Programs at PLA 2020, Public Library Association:
Civic engagement is similar to reading in that it is a habit to be built, and young people need adequate and varied entry points to practice these habits. Librarians’ fluency in creating and navigating media and information places our work at a critical intersection with engagement, and can create a meaningful entry point for many young people. As libraries continue to grow active engagement opportunities, librarians can do their work in ways that promote youth using media literacy skills to act—to be a participant in democracy—not a passive bystander. If we want to increase the youth voices working on issues facing this country, let’s talk about how to make the connection between information, media literacy, and participation more clear.