UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A Post-Election 2016 Library Guide, developed by the Penn State University Libraries, has created a supportive virtual space to explore, learn and discuss ideas brought up in the 2016 U.S. election and the ideas and reactions following. The Post-Election 2016 Library Guide can be accessed on the University Libraries’ website at http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/post-election-2016/.
“This Library Guide is a critical starting point for the exploration of ideas and additional resources,” Joe Salem, associate dean for Learning Undergraduate Services and Commonwealth Campuses, said. “With a topic as complex and contentious as the 2016 election, the University Libraries is able to present a learning experience that allows for discovery, understanding and reflection.”
Hailley Fargo, reference and instruction librarian in the University Libraries’ Knowledge Commons, created the Post-Election 2016 Library Guide with the encouragement of Rebecca Miller, head of Library Learning Services. “We had engaged in conversations with other librarians and administration about how we, as a library, could respond to both the election and carry forward President Barron's message of assurance,” Fargo said.
She produced the online Library Guide with five information sections and a place for visitors to discuss and engage the election, results and reactions. A repository of information on the 2016 U.S. election, the democratic process, and online and local resources available, this Library Guide helps further learning and engagement.
Fargo spoke with many students who were trying to process the campaigns and election and determined that many located their information through social media platforms. As this election was so closely tied to the media and the stories found on the internet, Fargo hopes the Post-Election 2016 Library Guide helps individuals connect to and explore library resources. Including many article hyperlinks, Fargo’s goal was to replicate the experience of reading articles on a website and examine the author’s thought process and citations in the writing of the piece.
“This Library Guide provides an approach for students and community members to delve in and read more about the election, to critically think about how the information was created, how they are consuming it, and how they will respond to that information,” Fargo said.
The University Libraries has more than 600 library guides online to help individuals navigate information on specific topics, for academic courses and more, to access additional resources and explore new ideas. These tools feature content on these topics, courses and events from a range of sources and can be continuously updated.
The Post-Election 2016 Library Guide includes additional information on the Electoral College, recaps voter turnou,t and includes commentary from the media and pop culture. Links to books, podcasts, videos of speeches and editorial coverage are available as curated resources and pertinent news is posted as the transition process for the president-elect is underway.
For questions or more information about the Post-Election 2016 Library Guide, contact Hailley Fargo at hmf14@psu.edu. To access more Library Guides created by the Penn State University Libraries, visit https://libraries.psu.edu/guides.