Hello and welcome to a new website and series of monthly blog posts with tools and resources for adult services staff across Idaho libraries!
You can find your way to the page by heading to “Library Staff” in the main menu and clicking on “Adult Programs” in the bottom right.
From there you will find the latest installments of the Adult Services blog at the top. Most months will have a theme that is relevant to the time of year or on a hot topic. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a post! The rest of the page is full of resources we think you will find helpful everyday as you serve adults in your community.
Adult Services Resources on Voter Information and Information Literacy for October 2020
Information for Idaho Voters:
- The Idaho Secretary of State Elections Division, offers a wealth of information, including an election calendar, online voter tools, the results of Idaho elections.
- Vote411 is a “one-stop-shop” for election related information, providing nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on multiple aspects of the election process. Brought to you by the League of Women Voters Education Fund.
- Vote Smart‘s mission is to provide free, factual, unbiased information on candidates and elected officials to ALL Americans, including Biographies, Issue Positions, Voting Records, Public Statements, Ratings, and their Funders.
Important Dates for Idaho Voters:
- October 9th – must be registered to vote. You can also simultaneously register and vote in person at a polling place on Election Day (November 3, 2020). Remember to bring an acceptable photo ID to the polls, although you can also sign an affidavit attesting to your identity.
- If mailing in your Voter Registration Application, it must be postmarked by the 25th day prior to the election.
- October 23rd – The deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you is
- October 30th – The deadline to apply for a ballot in person
- November 3rd– Absentee ballots must be received. Any voter can request an absentee ballot without an excuse. You can apply for an absentee ballot online.
- October 19th through 30th – Counties may offer early voting. Check with local election officials for locations and the exact schedule in your area.
General Voter Tools and Resources
- Election Communication Preparedness Kit from Rock Solid – a Microsoft partner creating government software solutions and services. Ideas, Tools, and Templates for Local Government to Enable Smooth Elections Through Messaging
- ALA’s Libraries and Voter Engagement Resources – tool kits for each state, voter engagement guide, and upcoming events
- ICfL blog post about how Libraries Protect Americans’ Freedoms by Ensuring an Informed Electorate
Information Literacy Resources
- ALA’s Evaluating Information Site – toolkits and programming ideas for libraries
- Is That Real? A Crash Course in Verifying Online Content – a prerecorded WebJunction webinar Once you enroll, you’ll gain instant access to the tools and skills that you and your patrons need to verify the authenticity of user-generated content, and learn how to create engaging fact-checking investigations that will empower learners to detect and debunk misinformation online. The session will also include a brief overview of News Literacy Project’s work with public libraries and strategies for adapting its resources for non-school settings.
- Media Literacy Week October 26-30th – a week to highlight the power of media literacy education and its essential role in education, brough to you by the National Association for Media Literacy Education. There is a whole page with programming ideas and resources for libraries and community organizations.
- Digital Citizenship in Today’s Libraries – Learn the nine elements of digital citizenship and how services and programming opportunities provided by your library can help promote digital citizenship in your community. The course consists of one two-hour session on Thursday, October 8, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. MDT / 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. PDT.
