University Libraries serve as election hubs for CU Boulder students
“Colorado has a strong tradition of allowing ballot issues to be initiated by the public. This makes being an informed voter even more important,” said Allan Van Hoye, a Government Information Librarian. As the November election approached, that tradition drew students into University Libraries, where staff worked to bridge the gap between complex legislative language and the ballot box.
The library distributed 400 copies of the “Blue Book,” the official ballot information guide produced by the Colorado General Assembly’s Legislative Council. These guides, which provide summaries and fiscal information about statewide ballot measures, are mailed to Colorado voters. However, students may not receive a copy, particularly if they are first-time voters or their copy is sent to another address.
The library distributed all 400 Blue Books it ordered. Beyond the physical guides, librarians answered dozens of questions from students and connected them with additional resources for researching issues on their ballots.
The role of librarians in civic literacy
For many college students, the library serves as a point of contact for finding ballot measures and the voting process. Librarians at CU Boulder provided a structure for students to research the issues on their ballots.
“Blue Books are an easy way to begin learning about ballot issues,” Van Hoye said. “There is a lot of information about ballot measures. Librarians can help you navigate these sources and help you research issues that matter to you.”
The outreach effort shows the library's role in helping students access reliable information and research the issues on their ballots. The act of providing the Blue Book ensured that students had access to official information.
Library helps students understand ballot measures
The reliance on these guides also highlights the volume of information Coloradans face during an election cycle. Colorado’s tradition allows for the public to place measures directly on the ballot. By distributing the Blue Book, the library offered a way to begin learning about ballot issues.
The success of this program highlights how the library acted as a resource. The students who sought out the library were looking for help understanding ballot measures and finding election information.
