1	Libraries: The Cornerstone of Democracy UIUC Class in OPAL Professor Taylor Willingham Presentation by Nancy Kranich April 5, 2007
2	Democracy: What do we think of when we hear this term? Lyndon Johnson: Democracy is about voting Bill Clinton: Democracy is about governance Franklin Roosevelt: Democracy is about participation
3	ALA President 2000-2001 Articulating the Role of Libraries in a Democracy Undertaking programs to promote this role The Civic Mission of Libraries Libraries in Emerging Democracies Building Information Smart Communities Promoting Information Equity
4	How libraries foster democracy Uphold, strengthen, and realize some of the most fundamental democratic ideals of our society. Make knowledge, ideas, and information—including government information--available to all. Serve as the source for the pursuit of independent thought, critical attitudes, and in-depth information. Provide the information and opportunities for dialogue that the public needs to make decisions about common concerns.
5	More ways libraries foster democracy Provide real and virtual spaces for members of the community to exchange ideas – ideas fundamental to democratic participation and civil society. Encourage active citizenship and community renewal as community forums. Help citizens learn how to identify and evaluate information--skills essential in making decisions that affect the way we live, learn, work, and govern ourselves. Close information gaps for those left behind in the digital age
6	Libraries encourage civic participation by…. Facilitating local dialogue through public forums Disseminating local data as community information centers Promoting civic literacy Undertaking community-wide reading and other projects and programs Serving as partners in public service Providing civic space
7	For further reading: Libraries and Democracy: The Cornerstones of Liberty. Chicago, IL: American Library Association, 2001. ALA Libraries Foster Civic Engagement blog. "Libraries as Universal Service Providers," Washington, DC: Benton Foundation, December 2006. "The Civic Mission of School Libraries," Knowledge Quest, vol. 34, #4 (March/April 2006).
8	For further reading (cont.): "Communities, Learning, and Democracy in the Digital Age,” with Lynette Kvasny and Jorge Reina Schement, Journal of Community Informatics, 2, #2, 2006. "Civic Partnerships: The Role of Libraries in Promoting Civic Engagement,“ Resource Sharing and Information Networks 17, #½, (Winter 2005). . "Promoting Civic Engagement through the Campus Library,“ Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA) Newsletter 27, # 5 (October 2004): 9, 11.
9	For further reading (cont.): "Civic Engagement and Academic Libraries,“ with Michele Reid and Taylor Willingham, College and Research Libraries News, 65, #4 (July/August, 2004): 380-383, 388, 393. "Libraries: Public Forums for Today's Critical Issues,“ with Anne Heanue and Taylor Willingham, American Libraries, 34, #1 (January 2003) : 68-70.