Q&A
Engaging the next generation of voters through library programs
0:46:06
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108 sec
Library representatives discuss their efforts to engage young voters and cultivate the next generation of civic participants. They highlight various programs and initiatives aimed at teens and children.
- Libraries offer in-person programming where teens can ask questions and connect with officials
- Paid internships for teens are provided, emphasizing the importance of continued funding
- Programs focus on educating young people about various elected positions beyond just major offices
- Efforts are made to build awareness of broader issues like poverty and child welfare to encourage civic engagement
Dr. Brandy McNeil
0:46:06
My own Okay.
0:46:08
Now I'm on.
0:46:09
Hi.
0:46:10
Okay.
0:46:10
So I echo everything that they've already said.
0:46:13
What I will add to it is that I I also believe that for us, the work that we've done with our teams that in person programming that we do where people are able to ask questions, you participated in 1, that does something for people.
0:46:29
When they feel like they can connect with the people who are in these positions, I also think that it's really important that when they come to our programs, and they get to understand what are the other opportunities that they have to be engaged in their elections, understanding what other positions that they should be thinking about in terms of voting outside of mayoral, outside of presidential, those are huge opportunities that create long lasting impact.
0:47:00
And really for the teens, I mean, you you you mentioned about budget.
0:47:04
Right?
0:47:04
We we offer these internships to the team.
0:47:07
These are paid internships.
0:47:09
We can only do things like that if we constantly have the funding to do that.
0:47:13
And so it's really important that we are able to continue to do those types of things.
0:47:17
Thank you.
Edwin Maxwell
0:47:18
Can I say one more thing?
0:47:19
Because I just wanna echo doctor Bill said, one of the biggest things that we do at Library is we all kinda talked about cultivating the next generation of voters.
0:47:32
Right?
0:47:32
So I I wanna make sure that we emphasize that.
0:47:34
So with the team program, then like I spoke about, with the children's programs, one of the biggest things that we can do to impact voter turnout is build the next generation of voters, not the that's something that we all do very well in our conscious of.
Dr. Brandy McNeil
0:47:48
Yeah.
0:47:48
I wanna add one more thing.
Farah Louis
0:47:50
I'm sorry.
Carlina Rivera
0:47:51
You have to keep adding whatever you like.
0:47:52
Okay?
0:47:53
This is this is about hearing from you.
Dr. Brandy McNeil
0:47:55
I also wanna say that what we noticed during the pandemic when a lot of people didn't have access to Internet and and and even the devices.
