Vote or you're an idiot, library says

The Calgary Public Library has resorted to name-calling in its bid to boost voter turnout in the city's municipal election this fall.

But the library's new campaign — called "Don't be an idiot" — isn't meant to offend anyone, said librarian Jerry Fawcett.

"Voting is one of the fundamental rights Canadians have under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and it is important to be involved," he said, explaining that in ancient Greece, the word idiot referred to someone who didn't take part in civic affairs.

Fewer than 30 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in Calgary's last two municipal elections.

The library is offering services for people to get informed about the candidates and their platforms, Fawcett said.

• Staff at the information desks are available to help people determine which ward they live in.
• The third floor of the main branch on Seventh Avenue S.W. has city documents and statistics.
• And readers can access Calgary's daily newspapers online for free at all branches.

"The library is one of the freest places in an open society, I think. We don't take a particular political slant. Citizens can come to the library and they can look for information free of charge," said Fawcett.

The library will also be hosting several public forums during the election campaign.

"Members of the community can listen to their campaign platforms and then mingle with them after," he said.