2020 Census

Count on Libraries Census graphic

Update:
Data collection for the 2020 Census ended on Oct. 15, 2020. The Census Bureau is expected to deliver state population counts by the statutory deadline of Dec. 31, 2020.

Thank you!
Despite the pandemic, Ohio’s public libraries rose to the occasion with creativity and perseverance. Thank you for your hard work to ensure that Ohioans were informed about the 2020 Census and encouraging them to participate.

Resources:

Keep tabs on how Ohio is doing – U.S. response rates

Map of hard-to-count areas

New timeline due to coronavirus

New social media campaign

Training video for public library staff

Overview:
The 2020 Census will begin in March with the official kick off on April 1st. The results will shape economic and political opportunity for years to come. A complete count is not only mandated in the U.S. Constitution; it’s essential for states in order to be allocated the appropriate number of Congressional and Electoral College representatives as well as federal funding dollars (such as grants to states under the Library Services and Technology Act). For the first time, the Census will be conducted primarily online.

Ohio’s public libraries are working with their communities to help achieve a complete count, from delivering accurate information about the Census to providing computers and internet access for residents to complete the questionnaire online. The following resources can help you prepare for the 2020 Census:

Training Video for Public Library Staff
With funding from the Cleveland Foundation, libraries in Cuyahoga County have created a short 2020 Census training video that was specifically designed for public library staff. The training also includes an optional survey to test your knowledge and slide deck with links to resources.

Additional Resources:

U.S. Census Bureau
Official website of the federal body charged with administering the Census.

2020 Census
Latest news and information specific to the 2020 Census (U.S. Census Bureau)

Fighting 2020 Census Rumors
U.S. Census Bureau web page designed to share facts about the 2020 Census and fight misinformation surrounding Census operations.

2020 Census Technology and Security
Frequently asked technical and security questions regarding the 2020 Census (CensusCounts.org)

ALA website 
Includes information about the Census, why it’s important, and the role of libraries.

2020 Census e-newsletter
Sign up to receive e-mail updates from ALA.

State Library of Ohio website
Includes information about the Census, partnership ideas, marketing tools, and programming ideas for all ages.

Sesame Street graphic

Find more free graphics like this on Sesame Street’s website.

Sesame Street Census toolkit
Free multilingual messages and graphics.

Trustees: Sign up to become Library Census Champions
Library Census Champions is a new network of library Trustees helping their libraries and communities prepare for the 2020 Census.

Webinars:


Census counts graphicOhio Governor’s Census 2020 Complete Count Commission:
Ohio’s public libraries have a seat at the table and will play an important role on Ohio Gov. DeWine’s Census 2020 Complete Count Commission (official body responsible for the count in the state and housed within the Ohio Development Services Agency). OLC’s Executive Director Michelle Francis was appointed to the Commission in August 2019. More Census information specific to Ohio is available at census.ohio.gov.

Census 2020 Overview and Update (PDF)
Presentation by Lydia Mihalik, Director, Ohio Development Services Agency (8/25/20)

Census 2020: Be Counted Ohio – It’s Safe, Easy and Important (PDF)
Presentation by Lydia Mihalik, Director, Ohio Development Services Agency with information on Ohio’s population problem, population-based funding, and hard-to-count communities.

2020 Ohio Complete Count Commission Report  (issued Dec. 1, 2019)
This report includes recommendations to Governor DeWine and each cabinet-level State Agency, Board and Commission on how Ohio can achieve the most complete and accurate count for Census 2020. The report highlights the essential role of Ohio’s public libraries in this process.

Ohio Census Toolkit
This toolkit helps promote the 2020 Census (includes fact sheets, brochures, presentation materials, social media content, graphics, etc.)

 

ALA Guides and Resources:

 

Articles:

New Study on Financial Impact of 2020 Census:

More than $1 Billion in FEDERAL Library Funding to be Allocated Based on 2020 Census Results
Published by Professor Andrew Reamer of the George Washington Institute of Public Policy at George Washington University, a new study pinpoints the financial impact the census will have on libraries, especially when it comes to Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants. A link to the study is available on the ALA website.