VoteLibraries is proud to provide our library partners with these resources from other organizations that help de-escalate political extremism in libraries through concerted efforts to identify and prevent misinformation and disinformation and help rebuild trust in our democracy. As you and your library staff participate in election administration, it is important to recognize the role that libraries can play in creating violence-free civic spaces. These resources are intended to serve as a starting point to help you and your staff participate in bridge-building activities, help patrons understand disinformation, and promote free and fair elections.
Bridge-building, Depolarization, and Promoting Trust in Elections
- Living Room Conversations provides training on various topics to help your patrons and community members understand each other's perspectives and political values in an in-person setting. Their Topic Guides allow you and your library staff to lead programs that encourage people to listen to diverse viewpoints and humanize political issues.
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The Bridging Divides Initiative offers local training so that you can help bridge community divides by recognizing the impact of political violence in your local communities and providing de-escalation tools on a state-by-state basis.
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IREX has created this report on the role that public libraries can play in preventing social divides.
- Civic Health Project provides solutions to political divides through technology, entertainment, movement-building, and research and evaluation to create united communities.
- The Listen First Project is a national coalition of organizations that provides support for the bridge-building movement to prevent toxic political polarization.