Fondren Library Civic Engagement

2024 Fall Voter Registration  (Data of October 20, 2024)

Grand total 892 registered! – A record number since 1999.  (Rice students were the dominant majority, who got registered.)

Total of 143+ registered on the last day yesterday (93 at Fondren Library registration table +  50+ students at RMC)! – A day record since 1999.  

Picture below: Anna Xiong (FDLP Representative) and her faithful 4 years student VDVR 

Rice Football Game Voter Registration Event

It's a commitment and legal responsibility for VDVRs to deliver the completed voter registration forms within 5 days. (Picture below: Branch office of Harris County Election Office)

New in 2024: 

Officially launched and promoted through ALLDEPT-L, vdvr@rice.edu, VDVR training sessions, etc.

Online Request Form (https://tinyurl.com/fondrenvotertoolkit)

• Improved the workflow to make it easier to keep the service statistics in a more accurate and timely manner.
• Designated a staff to handle the check in and check out of the Kits, as well as the statistics.
• Explored and purchased more toolkits in different sizes to meet different event needs: 1 large, 1 medium, 1 small.
• The number of non library voter registration events requesting our toolkits during fall 2024: 7.
• More and updated supplies available to be checked out.
• Improved information package available to be checked out.
• Comments/feedback received: The users felt "the toolkits are very thoughtful design", easy to get, and convenient to use. They really appreciated it. Many stated that they are surprised and amazed by what included in the toolkits and are available to be checked out. 

Suggestions:

• The most popular toolkit is the small size toolkit in a patriotic tote bag. (see images below). Most events that requested our toolkit have 1-2 VDVRs. 
• The most popular home made information material:
  • voter registration mini information card (see images below). Distributed 1000+ copies.
• The most popular promotional material:
  • RiceVotes sickers. (see images below)..
• The less checked out items in the toolkit:
  • easle stand (see images below).
• For outdoor use
  • paper weight in case it is windy (see images below).
• Surprising need
  • folded event table  (see images below).
• The most commonly requested items:  (see images below).
  • long forms, short forms, zipped bag, pens, clip boards, table cloth 
• Refer to the online request form to see more complete list of items available to be checked out.

• Number of on site training at Fondren Library offered: 2.
• Number of attendees:12 and 10. Total: 22.
• Number of Registrants: 34
• Departments of registrants:
  • Art History
  • Baker College
  • Center for Theoretical Biological Physics
  • Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies
  • Development and Alumni Relations
  • Dean of Undergraduates
  • Duncan College
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • English
  • Fondren Library
  • Gibbs Recreation Center
  • Glasscock School of Continuing Studies - MLS Program
  • Hanszen
  • History
  • Kinder Institute for Urban Research
  • Lovett
  • Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Office of Faculty Development
  • Office of Research
  • Shepherd School of Music
  • Sid Richardson
  • Sociology
  • Statistics Department
  • Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
  • Wiess

• POLI 224: How to Run for Office. 19 undergraduate students have attended. FDLP Representative Anna Xiong was invited by the faculty to visit the class and teach the students how to search and visualize the Census Data to analyze the population characteristics in the voting areas.

• 1st October-November 5. "Get Registered, Get Informed, Get Involved" (10 panels). Central Hallway, Fondren Library 1st floor.

• 1st September-November 5.
  • Fight for the ballots: a brief history of voting rights in the United States   
  • What doe the U.S. Constitution say about the right to vote?

10/8/2024-11/5/2024 Fondren Library Election Information Self-Service Table

Location: Fondren Library near the Circulation Desk 

What's available: LWV’s Voters Guide in paper version, a variety of handouts with QR codes providing all information you need to know for election. Help yourself!

Additional copies of LWV's Voters Guide will be available on the Free to Take Shelves in the library basement, at the Civic Engagement Corner across Kelley Center's Information Desk.

11/1 and 11/4: 2-4pm Fondren Library Staffed Election Education Table

Here are two example of fun video clips created by Fondren Library professional and student staff.
Click to watch it. And visit Kelley Center Instagram to find more.

10/8/2024-11/5/2024 Election Information Self-Service Table

The registration table at Fondren Library near the Circulation Desk is turned into the Election Information Self-Service Table. We have LWV’s Voters Guide in paper version and a bunch of handouts with QR codes laid out on the table.

Additional copies of LWV's Voters Guide will be available on the Free to Take Shelves in the library basement, at the Civic Engagement Corner across Kelley Center's Information Desk.

11/1 and 11/4: 2-4pm Staffed Election Information Table

Fondren Library near the Circulation Desk, hosted by Fondren Library. 

• Mock Election 9/17/2024, 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Location: Fondren Library 1st floor near the Circulation Desk.
International students are also welcome to participate.
Part of Fondren Library Annual Event: Celebrating 2024 U.S. Constitution Day.
 

Recite the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution and win a prize:

Civic Game Station: civic computer games, quizzes about U.S. Constitution, Immigration/Citizenship test, Texas vote. etc 

It's a major breakthrough that FDLP Representative's contact information, Kelley Center for Government Information and Fondren Library's civic events, resources, and services appeared on the Rice University's Portal Site for voter registration and the university wide handouts distributed from the Office of Public Affairs.