There’s a lot going on in the world, and when we want to become involved to help improve our community or government, how do we ensure we’re well-informed so we can do the best we can to support the causes we care about?
What is civic engagement?
In short, civic engagement is becoming knowledgeable about, and involved in, the community through various activities such as voting, philanthropy, education and activism.
To gain a more in-depth understanding of what civic engagement means, read this article on our database, Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints.
How do I find credible information about the issues I care about?
Whether you’re curious about an issue or want to start getting involved, it’s best to learn more about the subject at hand. But where can you find good information, and how can you be sure it’s credible?
Of course, the first step is to check the resources your library has to offer. In addition to print books, newspapers and documentaries, we also have a slew of digital resources that you can access directly from your home through our Research & Learn page or our A-Z listing of resources. A few great ones are:
- Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints – Investigate the pros and cons of complex social issues from capital punishment to artificial intelligence and fast fashion through primary sources, news and articles.
- Michigan Legislature – Search for accurate and timely legislative information, including bills, calendars, executive orders, Michigan Compiled Laws, committees and recent legislative activity.
- EBSCOhost Newspaper Source Plus – Search popular news sources, such as USA Today and the Washington Post, as well as more than 600 international newspapers. View millions of articles, television and radio transcripts and ongoing daily updates from news sources worldwide. Set alerts and save recurring searches to stay informed.
Besides library resources, how can I determine if information is trustworthy?
Purdue Global published an article to help researchers identify credible information using a system dubbed the C.R.A.A.P. test. This test looks at the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose of the information presented.
While tailored for academic researchers, the C.R.A.A.P. test is relevant for all individuals wanting to ensure they have good information sources.
The Virtual Library, while also covering the C.R.A.A.P. test, has additional methods for evaluating information sources and thinking critically about where the information comes from. Two particularly useful infographics on the site cover how to spot fake news and how to evaluate web resources by understanding what the URL extension means.
How can I get involved?
Depending on the cause or issue you’re interested in, there are a number of ways you can get involved.
- Voting – Participate in your federal, state and local elections. Vote not only for public officials but also for policy changes.
- Education – Educating yourself and others on various topics and issues is a very simple and effective way to effect change in society.
- Philanthropy – Donating resources or money to important causes or organizations, and volunteering your time are valuable ways to get involved and provide support.
- Activism — Campaigning, engaging in public demonstrations, boycotting businesses that don’t align with your values or supporting businesses that do can go a long way toward enacting political or social change.
The best way to start is to see if there are any organizations associated with the cause you want to support, reach out to them and express your interest, and ask how you can help.
Sometimes civic engagement can be exhausting or cause compassion fatigue. So, if you start feeling worn out, be sure to take a break and recharge. Use the downtime as an opportunity to re-energize with some inspirational reads. Below are some fiction and nonfiction books to help get you civic-minded and motivated.
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