Library ‘Read to Vote’ effort targets young people

They may not be able to cast ballots, but they can still be well informed

By: Courtney Gross
   For the Princeton Public Library, every vote counts.
   Even if you’re not legally eligible to participate politically just yet, librarians said it is never too early to get children and adolescents interested in civic engagement.
   And in an attempt to do just that, the library is hosting two "Read to Vote" campaigns — one for children in first through fifth grades, the other for Princeton-area teenagers.
   As the nation gears up for highly contested mid-term elections, librarians are encouraging participation among younger generations, and showing them how to become informed.
   The library’s children’s program, which started in mid-September, encourages students to choose books or films from a long list highlighting civics and government, Youth Services Librarian Pamela Groves said.
   From Dan Gutman’s "The Kid Who Became President" to a film biography on suffragist Susan B. Anthony, Ms. Groves said she wanted to present a plethora of resources to kids not only to get them reading, but to encourage them to start thinking about the future.
   "You got to start kids young in how they play a role in participating effectively and wisely in public life," Ms. Groves said.
   Between Oct. 28 and Nov. 7 — Election Day — Ms. Groves said, the children’s third-floor area will have booths and ballot boxes for kids to vote for their favorite books or movies.
   And, of course, there are incentives. Participants will receive prizes for taking part, the children’s librarian said.
   The concurrent teen program will begin Sunday, Teen Services Librarian Susan Conlon said, and the teens will be able to vote for their favorite band, movie, television show and place to hang out in Princeton. The votes will be tallied the week of the November general election, she added.
   The teen program will have a more advanced list of civic-related books and films, and participants will receive a "Read to Vote" rubber bracelet, Ms. Conlon noted.
   Since reading programs began at the library, Ms. Conlon said, they were primarily in the summer. Revolving a reading program around the upcoming election gave the library a chance to expand its offerings, she added.
   "We hope we can encourage kids that the library is a place to get information," Ms. Conlon noted, "to find out more about the election process, the candidates or the issues."
   "Read to Vote" will also remind those teenagers about to turn 18 to register and participate, Ms. Conlon said.
   A lot of the teenagers who already frequent the library, Ms. Conlon said, are politically active. She said there are currently political groups raising awareness on the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and others that are organizing an environmental film festival.
   Teenagers will also have an opportunity over the next month to volunteer at the library to help register voters, Ms. Conlon said, a drive sponsored by the League of Women Voters.
   To volunteer for the drive, contact Ms. Conlon at (609) 924-9529, ext. 247.