April 2026: How a Bill Becomes a Law
Programs & Events
Apr. 14
- Voter Information Table with the LWVGTA, 11 am - 1 pm
- Volunteer Fair (Learn about working at local elections!), 2:30 to 5:30 pm
Apr. 18
- Schoolhouse Rock Singalong & Craft Time, 11 am (Link)
- Living history display on the front lawn! 102nd U.S. Colored Troops Company C, 11 am - 5:30 pm, stay for an author talk at 4 pm
Reference
A Student's Guide to State Government
A Citizen's Guide to State Government
In the catalog
How Laws are Passed, Justine Rubinstein
How are Laws Made? Julia McDonnell (US Government Q&A)
How are Laws Made? Kevin WInn (US Government at Work)
US Constitution: Bills (10 min)
How a Bill Becomes a Law (27 min)
March 2026: Voting & Elections Focus
Programs & Events
- Mar. 10 - Voter Information Table with the LWVGTA, 11 am - 1 pm (Lobby)
- Mar. 18 - Beyond the Ballot, 6 pm (Link)
- Mar. 23 - Democracy in Action, 6 pm (Link)
- Mar. 26 - Ranked Choice Voting Explained, 6 pm (Link)
- Mar. 31 - Civility & the Role of Local News, 6 pm (Link)
- Voting & Debate Exercise! There's a voting exercise by the self-checkouts: Is a hot dog a sandwich?!
Have a little fun practicing your debate and voting skills - and check off some squares on your bingo card.
Youth
Voting for the President of the United States by Shannon H Harts
Voting : a kid's guide by Nelson Yomtov
V is for Voting, by Kate Farrell
The Electoral College by Phil Corso
What is the Electoral College? by Santana Hunt
When you grow up to vote by Eleanor Roosevelt
Voting & Elections by Kate Conley
- I Voted: making a choice makes a difference by Mark Shulman
- Votes of Confidence: a young person’s guide to American elections by Jeff Fleischer
- The Right to Vote by Tracy Vonder Brink
- How Political Campaigns and Elections Work by Kevin Cunningham
- Women’s Suffrage Movement by Jill Keppeler
One person no vote by Carol Anderson
Drawing the Vote by Tommy Jenkins
Let the People Pick the President by Jesse Wegman
One Person One Vote: The Story of Gerrymandering by Nicholas Seabrook
Critical Perspectives on the Electoral College by Bridey Heing
US Constitution - Article II, Section I
Additional electoral college resources (catalog search)
Additional voting and elections resources (catalog search)
Fundamentals of Elections and Voting (Hoopla)
Election Stories (Access Video on Demand)
How the Electoral College Works (Access Video on Demand)
The Federal Election Commission (Access Video on Demand)
Electing the President, Six Steps to the Summit (Access Video on Demand)
February 2026 - Federal Checks & Balances Focus
Programs & Events
- Feb. 4 - The Librarians (Free movie at The Dennos Museum)
- Feb. 12 - Hamilton Sing-along (Sing Hamilton)
- Feb. 25 - Our Town, Our Democracy: Local Press Panel Event
- Books
- The United States Government Manual
- Separation of Power Series
- A User's Guide to Democracy: How America Works
- Understanding the US Government (DVD)
- Civic Minded: What Everyone Should Know about the US Government
- Youth
- Civics: democracy rules! By Shannon Weber
- What does the president do? By Kathleen Connors
- What does Congress do? By Kathleen Connors
- For Which We Stand
- Selections from our collection:
- PBS Crash Course: Federal Checks & Balances
- American Bar Association: Federal Checks & Balances Video
- Separation of Powers Learning Module - Constitution Center
January 2026: State of Michigan Focus
Programs & Events
- All January - Michigan Heritage Barns Photo Exhibit (McGuire Community Room & Atrium)
- Jan. 13 - How Michigan Became Michigan
- Jan. 18 - Happy Birthday Michigan! (Cake & Cards)
- Jan 29 - The Barn Raisers (Film Screening)
Reference & Suggested Reads
- State of Michigan Citizen's Guide to State Government 2025-2026 (Download PDF)
- State of Michigan Website: Three Branches of State Government
- Books
- Michigan's Company K
- It's My State! Michigan
- Becoming a State Governor by Emily Jankowski Mahoney
- TADL Catalog search: Michigan history
- MI Authors and Illustrators, Library of Michigan
- Michiganology
- Michigan History Magazine (Requires Michigan Driver's License to log in)
- MI Activity Pass
Bingo Card
Prints double-sided on a 8.5 x 11 sheet Click here to download.
Prints double-sided on a 8.5 x 11 sheet Click here to download.
There's no time limit on completing your bingo sheet, but the sooner you finish the sooner you have your democracy item(s) to wear!
Upcoming Events
Healing from the Arts: Art Exhibition with Interlochen's Students Demand Action Group
Interlochen’s Students Demand Action (SDA) group will present an evocative exhibition of student voices.
Young adults 15-1/2 through the age of 18 and their parents/guardians are invited to attend an Information Session held in cooperation between the Traverse Area District Library and the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy.
2026 Wednesday Great Decisions: Community Conversations about Current World Affairs
Registration for this current events and world issues 8-part discussion series will open at 9am on January 2, 2026.
Traverse City Fresh Coast Film Festival @TADL
TADL is happy to be an official venue for this inaugural year of the Fresh Coast Film Festival in Traverse City!
Traverse City Fresh Coast Film Festival @TADL
TADL is happy to be an official venue for this inaugural year of the Fresh Coast Film Festival in Traverse City!
Traverse City Fresh Coast Film Festival @TADL
TADL is happy to be an official venue for this inaugural year of the Fresh Coast Film Festival in Traverse City!