government information

government information

Freedom of Information

Freedom of Information

, Website
A free society is predicated on transparency and access to information.  The ability to examine records generated by public entities can help expose controversies and keep people in power in check.  Moreover, a well-informed society is better equipped to make good decisions regarding its future.  These public records laws, known as “sunshine laws”, set ground rules for promoting and preserving access.  With National Freedom of Information Day on March 16, it is important to revisit the process of asking for public information, which is done through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The Freedom of Information Act was passed in 1966 and signed into law by then-president Lyndon Johnson.  It was updated in 2016 to accommodate electronic records.  With … Continued
Election Preparation

Election Preparation

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
Election Day is November 8th in the United States, when a free people have the power to decide who serves in their government, at the federal, state, and local levels.  There are several useful tools that registered voters can use to prepare for their civic opportunity – some would say civic duty – to vote.  The Indiana State government offers a voting website that has tools to help citizens check their voting status if they don’t know it, register to vote (for later elections), and find their polling place.  Because this is the first election after the redistricting mandated by the results of the 2020 census, prospective voters should take care that they know where their polling location is (Indiana … Continued
Celebrating family history

Celebrating family history

, , Frances Yates, Library Resources
The U.S. Senate passed a resolution in 2001 to establish October as Family History Month. In the FamilySearch blog “Why We Need Family History Now More Than Ever” Rachel Coleman explains that “Knowing our cultural background and where we came from can help us develop a strong sense of who we really are. The way we relate to our family stories and create our own narratives about ourselves helps establish our unique, authentic core identity.” She also discusses the benefits of family history sharing in terms of connection, resilience, selflessness and self-worth. FamilySearch.org is the largest free genealogical database in the world, containing more than 3 billion names. In addition to research, they offer an option to create a free … Continued
Remembering 9/11, twenty years later

Remembering 9/11, twenty years later

, , , outreach
On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, New York was going about its business.  As the city that never sleeps, people were already on board the subways, taking buses and heading up the elevators to their offices.  The streets were bustling as usual with shop owners, clerks, tourists, locals, children – everyone who had ever dreamed of New York. At 8:46 that morning, everything changed, forever.  A plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center, killing everyone on board, including four terrorists.  At 9:03 AM, a second plane struck the South Tower, again with everyone on board killed instantly.  Even more people were trapped on the upper floors of both buildings, all of whom lost their lives.  … Continued
Counting on the Census

Counting on the Census

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
With a count of 331,449,281 residents, the 24th decennial Census of the United States is beginning to release the newest data about the current demographics of our country.  This procedure, a Constitutionally-mandated enumeration of the citizens and residents of the country, is a vital research tool – but it is also a source of conflict and controversy.  Since many consequential issues hinge on the results of the Census – principally the apportionment of representatives in the Congress and funding for government programs that include roads, schools, health, and emergency services – it has become a flashpoint for competing (and highly politicized) ideologies. The Census has long been plagued by controversy.  Both George Washington and Thomas Jeffeson thought the original 1790 … Continued