Census Bureau operational adjustments due to COVID-19

• Map showing status of current Census 2020 operations - when Area Census Offices will restate operations (see bottom of page for date the map was last updated)
  • Status of Current Operations, dated 5/15/2020
• FAQ on Census 2020 Operational Adjustments
• Press Releases from Census Bureau about 2020 Census

Census Bureau revised timeline for Census 2020 due to CoronaVirus public health closures.

3/15/2020 Census Bureau Press Release related to CoronaVirus impact on Census 2020

Among the points made is this:

"Per the Census Bureau’s residence criteria, in most cases students living away from home at school should be counted at school, even if they are temporarily elsewhere due to the COVID-19 pandemic."

Subscribe to ALA's Census 2020 newsletter to keep in the loop on new developments.

#CountOnLibraries - social media thread

• The Scoop: “Completing the Count” (January 26, 2020) – report of ALA Midwinter program
• UPI: “Census Bureau aims to improve response rates” (January 23, 2020) – includes a discussion of libraries’ activities
• School Library Journal: “Libraries Are Preparing for the 2020 Census. With Plenty at Stake, There’s Still Work To Be Done” (January 21, 2020)
• The Public Libraries Podcast: “The 2020 Census and Public Libraries” (January 21, 2020)
• The U.S. Census Bureau released a video advertisement featuring Cecilia Tovar of Santa Monica (CA) Public Library, discussing why the 2020 Census is important for libraries.
• On February 12, ALA released “Responding to the Census (PDF).” The two-page tip sheet explains options for responding to the 2020 Census and outlines how library staff can assist patrons with accessing the questionnaire. Self-response begins March 12: use the new tip sheet to get prepared!

Upcoming Events

• February 13, 2 pm ET: YALSA webinar: “Engaging Teens in the 2020 Census” (free for YALSA members, paid for others)
• February 18, noon ET: ODLOS webinar: “Census 2020 Outreach to Communities of Color”
• February 28: PLA Conference: “2020 Census Countdown: What You Need to Know Now” (3:30 pm CT, Music City Center, room 103)
• March 4, 2 pm ET: American Libraries Live webinar: “Libraries and the Census”