The mission of The Seattle Public Library is to bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community. We value equality, inclusion and openness and strive to be welcoming safe spaces. No matter what the current events are locally and beyond, the Library provides a collection of materials to patrons of all ages, backgrounds, and opinions. Over the last few weeks, library staff have answered many people’s questions about the recent elections and helped them with finding information. Below you will find some lists created by librarians at The Seattle Public Library to address topics we’ve been asked a lot about lately.
- The Electoral College. Learn about the Electoral College, how it works, its history and challenges, including the various ways electors are chosen.
- Self-care and coping help with stress. These resources offer a wide range of strategies for finding peace of mind and happiness in stressful times.
- Immigrants and Refugees in the United States, and beyond. Immigration was a key topic during the 2016 election. The United States and other wealthy nations have been beacons of hope for immigrants and refugees around the world. Here are recently published works on past and present migrations. And for younger readers, here’s a list on The Immigrant and Refugee Experience in Children’s Books.
- The Affordable Care Act. A federal statute enacted by President Obama in 2010, the Affordability Care Act – also known as Obamacare – provides more Americans with health insurance coverage and health care. This list includes information about the ACA, information on the different health plan options that are available through the Health Insurance Marketplace, Seattle Public Library research databases and books about the Affordable Care Act.
- Leading Societal Change. So, you want to change the world. How do you begin? Some of the books in this list offer specific strategies for creating social change. Others examine the history of individuals and organizations at the forefront of activist movements, and the tools each have used to achieve their goals.
- Media and Politics in the United States. Negative campaigning and the tone of political discourse has been a major concern in United States politics for decades, and came to a head in the 2016 presidential election. The impact of mass media on United States government and politics is also the subject of much debate. Here are recent works which cover a range of views on these topics by economists, historians, and other experts.
We’re here for you. Stop by any location or use Ask a Librarian for your information needs and suggestions on searching the catalog and using the online databases. Consider trying out Your Next Five Books, where you tell us about what you’d like to read more about and we send you five recommendations.
~posted by Marion S.
Shelf Talk 