2020 Census

91´«Ã½

COVID-19 Advocacy Update

  • Update:

In 2020, the will be conducted primarily online for the first time. The results will allocate billions of dollars in federal funding to local communities over the next decade, including to libraries. Census data also determine representation in Congress and state and local governments, and are widely used by researchers, business, and other organizations (including to ).

To help achieve a fair, accurate, and complete count, many libraries across the country are:

  • Providing internet access so residents can respond online, starting on March 12 (residents can also opt to respond by phone or mail);
  • Helping jobseekers apply online for 500,000 ;
  • Informing the public about the 2020 Census, , and ; and
  • Partnering with local leaders to help reach communities at risk of being undercounted.

Resources from 91´«Ã½

General resources:

Tip sheets:

Recorded Webinars:

  • (March 4, 2020)
  • (February 18, 2020)
  • (February 13, 2020)
  • "" (January 30, 2020)
  • (December 16, 2019)
  • (November 14, 2019)
  • (November 6, 2019)

For community leaders:

For library trustees:

  • (October 1, 2019)

Downloadable graphics:

  • Libraries Transform:
  • Libraries Transform:
  • Presentation template: (PPT) with

Resources from the U.S. Census Bureau

Outreach materials and curriculum:

  • - curriculum and lesson materials for pre-K through adult learners
  • Video:

Resources for community partners:

  • - to contact the Census Bureau staff in your community
  • - to locate other partners in your community
  • (Updated January 2020)
  • (NEW as of February 27, 2020)

Sample letters and questionnaires:

  • - guides to the 2020 Census questionnaire in 59 languages
  • Video Guide to Completing the 2020 Census Online: ,

Resources from Other Organizations

General resources for libraries:

  • (2020 Census Cuyahoga County Library Committee)
  • (California Library Association)
  • (University of Maryland College of Information Studies)
  • - toggle Map overlays to show public library locations (Center for Urban Research at the Graduate Center, City University of New York)
  • - curriculum for young adults; free registration required (Rock the Vote)
  • (Campus Connect)
  • (Federal Depository Library Program)
  • (Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law)
  • (Sesame Workshop) - downloadable videos, posters, and other resources
  • - downloadable activities

Online response option:

  • (Digital Equity Laboratory)
  • (Census Counts)
  • (Census Counts)
  • (Census Counts)

Research briefs:

  • (Center for Urban Research at the Graduate Center, City University of New York, October 23, 2018)
  • (Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality)
  • (Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality)
  • (Brennan Center for Justice, February 2019)

Libraries and the 2020 Census in the News

  • (March 12, 2020)
  • Smart Cities Dive: (March 9, 2020)
  • Public Libraries Online: (March 3, 2020)
  • American Libraries:(March 2, 2020)
  • ODLOS Blog: (February 25, 2020)
  • LITA Blog: (February 25, 2020)
  • Tennessean: (February 19, 2020)
  • Programming Librarian: (February 7, 2020)
  • The Scoop: “” (January 26, 2020)
  • UPI: “” (January 23, 2020)
  • School Library Journal: “” (January 21, 2020)
  • The Public Libraries Podcast: “” (January 21, 2020)
  • ACRL Insider:(January 16, 2020)
  • ALSC Blog: (January 13, 2020)
  • College & Research Libraries News: (January 2020)
  • (December 19, 2019)
  • (November 19, 2019)
  • ACRL Keeping Up With...: (November 2019)
  • Public Libraries: (October 2019)
  • Library Journal: (Sept 4, 2019)
  • Public Libraries Online: (August 20, 2019)
  • The Scoop: (August 1, 2019)
  • American Libraries: (June 3, 2019)
  • The Scoop: (April 2, 2019)
  • College & Research Libraries News: (February 2019)
  • The Scoop: (January 15, 2019)
  • Governing: (January 2019)
  • The Scoop: (October 30, 2018)
  • The Scoop: (September 11, 2018)
  • The Scoop: (August 9, 2018)
  • District Dispatch: (April 4, 2018)

2020 Census Library Outreach and Education Task Force

To advise 91´«Ã½’s efforts on the 2020 Census, 91´«Ã½ convened a 2020 Census Library Outreach and Education Task Force. Their charge is: "To advise the association on conducting outreach and education to inform library staff about potential impacts—particularly for public libraries—that may arise from the 2020 Census, gathering information from library colleagues about expected impacts and needs, and collaborating with the Census Bureau and other decision makers to best meet the needs of libraries and support an accurate Census.

Composition:
The 2020 Census Outreach and Education Task Force consists of 10-15 members, appointed by the chair of the Washington Office's Advisory Committee and the PLA President-Elect, drawn from the membership at large, serving one two-year term and led by two co-chairs. The roster includes:

  • Erin Ackerman, R. Barbara Gitenstein Library, The College of New Jersey
  • Tom Adamich, Visiting Librarian Service
  • Patricia Ball, Cobb County (GA) Public Library System
  • Susan Hildreth, library consultant
  • Nate Hill, Metropolitan New York Library Council
  • Martha Hutzel, Central Rappahannock (VA) Regional Library
  • Jeremy Johannesen, New York Library Association
  • Sarah Kostelecky, College of University Libraries & Learning Sciences, University of New Mexico
  • Karen Mellor, Rhode Island Office of Library & Information Services
  • Janet O’Keefe, Flint (MI) Public Library
  • Ramiro Salazar, San Antonio (TX) Public Library
  • Jennie Stapp, Montana State Library
  • Tracy Strobel, Cuyahoga County (OH) Public Library
  • Cecilia Tovar, Santa Monica (CA) Public Library
  • Kelvin Watson, Broward County (FL) Libraries Division

CensusIcon400x400Contacts

Larra Clark
Deputy Director, Public Policy & Advocacy
lclark@ala.org

Gavin Baker
Deputy Director, Public Policy & Advocacy
gbaker@alawash.org

Media Contact
Shawnda Hines
Assistant Director, Communications
shines@alawash.org
(202) 628-8410

Share your library’s Census story on social media with the hashtag .