| The Census form opens March 12 (That’s tomorrow!) Beginning March 12, households will begin receiving 2020 Census mailings and can start responding. These key resources can help your library staff prepare: Have 2 minutes? Read ALA’s “Responding to the Census (PDF)” Have 10 minutes? Watch this new “2020 Census Training Video for Public Library Staff” from libraries in Cuyahoga County, Ohio Have 2 hours? Read ALA’s “Libraries’ Guide to the 2020 Census (PDF)” Find ALA’s full collection of resources at ala.org/census. |
| Invite your elected officials to fill out their Census at the library Make sure your elected officials know how your library is supporting a complete count in the 2020 Census! One idea: invite your elected officials to fill out their own Census form at the library. It’s a great photo opportunity – and they can share it to spread the word about the Census and how the library can help. You can use ALA’s template (DOC) to invite your local, state, and federal officials. Be sure to coordinate with your library director and communications or government relations staff. |
| Grant opportunity from the National League of Cities The National League of Cities is accepting applications for grants for Census activities. Libraries are eligible to apply if they are a city agency or are partnering with a city government (get a letter from a mayor near you). Apply as soon as possible, as applications are being reviewing on a rolling basis. |
| New Census materials from Sesame Street and Dr. Seuss Looking for materials to use in your Census outreach with children and families? Check out new free materials from Sesame Workshop and Seussville. For more resources, visit Count All Kids and the Census Bureau. |
| Coming soon: Mobile Questionnaire Assistance Later this month, the Census Bureau will begin its Mobile Questionnaire Assistance operation in locations across the country. The Census Bureau may contact libraries about setting up Mobile Questionnaire Assistance at your location. To learn more, see the Census Bureau’s fact sheet. If you have questions or would like to invite Mobile Questionnaire Assistance to your library, contact your local Census Bureau Partnership Specialist. Note that Mobile Questionnaire Assistance will be available in limited areas, targeting communities with low self-response rates. |
| Special report in American Libraries magazine The cover story in this month’s American Libraries magazine is a special report on the 2020 Census. To learn more about what libraries across the country are doing, take a look! |
