[Libs-Or] 140 days and counting: What Oregon libraries can do to prepare for the 2020 Census

[Arlene Weible]

Since last April, the State Library has been keeping the Oregon library community informed about the 2020 Census and offered resources<https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/census2020/home> for library staff to get prepared.

Since Census Day (April 1, 2020) is only 140 days away, we are encouraging libraries to take the next step in preparation and consider two opportunities now available to support Census participation.

These options are open to all types of libraries ... whether you work in in a school, public, academic, law, or tribal library ...  library staff are in the business of information. As in the 2016 election, there is concern that misinformation about the Census<https://www.governing.com/news/headlines/Concerns-Grow-About-Census-Misinformation-on-Social-Media.html> will be spread, especially among groups that already have fears about the government. The opportunities below offer your library a set of resources to help your staff be a trusted information source in the communities you serve.

Census Resource Centers
The State Library of Oregon is partnering with U.S. Census Bureau Partnership Specialists to offer libraries an opportunity to serve as Census Resource Centers. This program will provide libraries with Census promotional materials for a general audience when the 2020 Census survey is open. (Mid-March through July 2020).

Each library that participates in this program will receive :
* A toolkit with promotional resources (copies of Census forms, marketing/educational brochures and materials, social media messaging, posters and signs)
* Access to an Oregon-based U.S. Census Bureau hotline to help answer questions libraries may receive about navigating Census forms.
* Access to dedicated U.S. Census staff to help with staff and/or volunteer training and plan promotional activities

Each participating library is asked to display promotional resources about the Census during March-July 2020. Libraries are also encouraged to:
* Create dedicated spaces, including public computer workstations, where individuals may complete their Census survey
* Provide staff or volunteers to assist individuals that have questions about filling out their Census survey
* Organize a "Census Night at the Library" or other activities that promote Census participation in their community

To sign up, go to: https://forms.gle/PNBgjkaF4QW1mvB4A
Deadline: January 15, 2020.

Census Assistance Centers (#WeCountOregon campaign)
The #WeCountOregon campaign<https://www.wecountoregon.com/> is funded by a combination of private and public money and is specifically focused on reaching out to hard-to-count communities across Oregon. The campaign offers partner organizations the opportunity to become a Census Assistance Center. There are two options for interested organizations:

Funded Census Assistance Center
Organizations that have facilities that can help hard-to-count populations and need funding to develop services may submit an application for up to $60,000 to support to services and outreach. More details can be found at: https://www.unitedway-pdx.org/apply-become-census-assistance-center  Deadline is December 4, 2019.

Unfunded Census Assistance Center
Organizations that seek training or have services that do not require extra funding may sign up to access to training specific to reaching hard-to-count communities and will have an affiliation with the campaign. A short application<https://www.unitedway-pdx.org/sites/default/files/cac_sign_up-unfunded_fillable_final.pdf> is available, with no deadline stated.

If you have any questions about these opportunities, or would like further information about the 2020 Census please go to the 2020 Census and Oregon Libraries guide<https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/census2020/home> or contact me.


Arlene Weible, MLS
Electronic Services Consultant
Oregon Federal Regional Depository Coordinator
arlene.weible at state.or.us<mailto:arlene.weible at state.or.us> | 503-378-5020 | http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries
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