Under the Charter Oak

A podcast of the CT State Library Division of Library Development

BONUS Episode! Giving Kids a Voice: Meet CT’s Kid Governor Tessa Hallinan

Listen to the BONUS Episode!

In this upbeat episode, Kym is flying solo as she chats with Brian Cofrancesco and Linda Preston from the Connecticut Democracy Center—and Connecticut’s 2026 Kid Governor, Tessa Hallinan—about how the Kid Governor program turns thousands of fifth graders into real voters and advocates. Together they explore how this statewide election gives kids a genuine civic voice and sparks young leaders to take action on the issues they care about most.

About Under the Charter Oak

Under the Charter Oak is a podcast of the CT State Library Division of Library Development.

The CT State Library is a gateway to lifelong learning for all residents and visitors, inspiring a shared and informed future through our diverse, historic, and cultural resources.

The Under the Charter Oak Podcast will be a monthly podcast produced and run by DLD staff members highlighting different library projects and initiatives of the CT State Library and partners.  

And, you can find Under the Charter Oak wherever you get your podcasts!