This summer, the University Libraries partnered with the Civic Leadership Academy to host an interactive workshop for rising 8th graders from across Chicago as part of an overall initiative called Practicing Democracy in Communities through Loyola’s School of Education. The workshop invited students to explore pressing community issues—such as immigration, education, public safety, and the environment—while discovering how research can drive meaningful change. Research and Learning Librarians, Easton Brundage and Tori Golden, provided instruction and facilitated the day’s activities. The students toured the Cudahy Library and Loyola Information Commons, developed research skills using credible sources, practiced media literacy through the SIFT (Stop and Reflect (S), Investigate the Source (I), Find Reliable Coverage (F), and Trace the Claim (T) method, and conducted community mapping to identify key local stakeholders. The day concluded with a zine-making session, where students shared their own youth-led action plans.
Reflecting on the experience, Brundage shared “The population we were working with was middle school students, while the students I typically work with are adults. I wasn’t fully aware of their communities or their unique needs at first, but these students were incredibly engaged. They were already involved in their communities and had creative ways of identifying problems and proposing solutions. Through their zines, they communicated their thoughts, frustrations, and bold ideas with such clarity and heart.”
By blending inquiry, civic responsibility, and self-expression, the workshop amplified student voice and empowered participants to become informed, engaged changemakers in their communities.
by Tori Golden, Research & Learning Librarian and Rahshona Saydazamova, senior, Political Science and Philosophy major
