What is Civic Learning Week, and Why is it Important?

Is your library interested in being part of a new cohort of libraries committed to supporting civic education?  Read more for details!

Civic Learning Week (March 11-15) highlights the importance of civic education in sustaining and strengthening constitutional democracy in the United States. By highlighting the civic knowledge and skills gained inside and outside the classroom that provide the foundation for an informed and engaged populace, Civic Learning Week seeks to energize further the movement to prioritize civic education across the nation. Libraries are not only centers of communities but hubs for civic learning for adults and young people. We invite you to use Civic Learning Week to showcase libraries and librarians' key roles- read on for ideas on how to do this.  

Join the Movement for Civic Education

If you want to promote civic education at your library beyond Civic Learning Week, you can join a new cohort of libraries supporting civic education by completing this form indicating your interest. EveryLibrary would love to have you be a part of this new group. This form aims to see how you can further connect your work to preparing young people to be engaged members of our constitutional democracy with a broader network of libraries with the same goal. 

Participate in Civic Learning Week

Civic Learning Week is an annual event hosted by iCivics that emphasizes the importance of civic education in strengthening and sustaining constitutional democracy in the United States. Civic education is crucial for our nation's survival and provides the tools necessary to succeed in an increasingly diverse society. Join conversations around the week with the hashtag #CivicLearningWeek and tag @NationalCLW. 

There are many ways libraries and librarians can participate in Civic Learning Week activities, from adapting story hours and existing programming to highlight the importance of civic learning and libraries as civic learning institutions to showcasing books with civic themes. Outside the physical space of the library, there are also many ways to support the movement, ranging from publishing an op-ed in the local paper highlighting the offerings of the library as a civic learning space to sharing civic materials on newsletters and websites, partnering with other community organizations promoting civic learning, and engaging in state and local advocacy efforts for civic learning.

Civic Education at the Library- What You Are Already Doing 

For Americans to fully participate in our democracy as responsible and informed citizens, it is crucial to prioritize civic education so that voters have a comprehensive understanding of our government's workings and the citizens' rights and responsibilities. Librarians and libraries are crucial components of this. Through programs and events, librarians can help voters learn about their role in the democratic process and encourage them to participate actively. Additionally, librarians can use their voices to advocate for the importance of civic education and promote policies that support teaching and learning about civics. Libraries also provide resources (including books, articles, and online resources) to facilitate civic learning and help individuals better understand the issues.

Are you interested in participating in an ongoing conversation about civics and libraries? Please fill out this form to let us know you want to join a newly forming cohort of libraries committed to supporting civic education.