I think this is a case for “yes, and..”
We have the docs linked in three places, in fact:
- banner for new, anon users
- filter header at the top
- sidebar
My suggestion would be we move docs to “above the fold” in the sidebar, so it shows under Topics. Also to give it some kind of book 
glyph.
Also to add reference to it in New to Discourse? Start here! which is pinned and we expect people to read when they join meta.
