Census 2020 for New York Libraries: Downloadable Materials

Libraries can host events, workshops, and after-school programming to increase awareness about the upcoming census. The more people know about the census, how the data are used, and how it impacts them and their communities, the more likely they are to participate. Here are some resources and ideas to consider:

• Census & Sensibility from the California Library Association includes tips and ideas related to marketing, programming and booklists.
• The Census Bureau provides a wide range of downloadable outreach and promotional materials in many languages, targeted to different audiences and addressing various concerns (e.g., security or how census data supports education).
• You don’t have to be a classroom teacher to use Statistics in Schools activities to show how census data are used, including seasonal fun facts, games and resources specifically for English-language learners.
• Invite local elected officials and media to show how easy and secure it is to complete the census online at the library.
• Use the Response Rate Challenge Toolkit to participate in or create a local challenge!

Census Counts Toolkit

The new Census Counts GOTC Toolkit is meant to provide community-based organizations, public officials, and other key stakeholders with information on the importance of the 2020 Census and tools to help ensure the 2020 Census is fair and accurate. Community-based organizations play an invaluable role in educating, mobilizing, and assisting people to participate in the census. In addition, new technology creates an opportunity to deploy new technologies and strategies. The toolkit includes sections on: Background; GOTC Outreach and Best Practices; Cybersecurity Best Practices; Accessible GOTC Plan; and Additional Toolkits and Resources. New sections will be added soon for: Census Operations; State Advocacy and Complete Count Committee; Messaging and Media; Digital Organizing Trends, Tools and Practices; Expanding Your Reach Through Partnerships; and Providing Assistance and Language Support during GOTC.

These are some of the logos available for partners to use. See information below about how to request logos:

To receive a package of official logos for promotional use, libraries will need to contact the Census Bureau and request them at this email address:
 fld.cpep.decennial.partnership@census.gov. They will ask you to sign a license to agree to the terms of use so that the logo is used consistently with the Bureau's style guide. See more information here.

Other promotional materials can be downloaded at https://www.census.gov/partners/2020-materials.html

You can also refer to the United States 2020 Census Brand Guidelines

The following are slideshows, PowerPoint presentations, and videos that you may use for local Census training:

Safe, Secure, and Online: Privacy, Cybersecurity, and the 2020 Census

This slideshow is a workshop to learn about what's new with Census in 2020, explore threats, and identify what steps you can take to safeguard your data. It was created by Jeffrey Lambert from Queens Public Library in conjunction with Library Freedom Project.

The Census Bureau has a new PSA: What is the 2020 Census? Please reach out to 2020CensusPSAs@census.gov with your organization name and contact information to receive an editable version of the PSA.

Faith in Public Life’s has a new #FaithfulCensus video on the importance of the census for faith communities and their social media toolkit for amplifying the video.

These are stickers that you can download, print, and distribute at your next event to promote the census.

To print as formatted, you will need this kind of paper:

The Avery # is 22807 - Print to the Edge Round Labels.
Color: Glossy White

Credit: Karla Quiroz,  Newburgh Public Library

These stickers are to hand out to patrons who have used the library to fill out their census.

To print as formatted, you will need this kind of paper:

The Avery # is 22807 - Print to the Edge Round Labels.
Color: Glossy White

Credit: Dawn Stanton, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

“Making Sense of the Census” is both an online exhibit (https://nyheritage.org/exhibits/making-sense-census-new-york), and a physical traveling exhibit (consisting of four retractable banners, each measuring 33 inches wide by 7 feet tall), developed by the Western New York Library Resources Council, in partnership with the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. The purpose of the exhibit is to inform library visitors about the history and importance of the Census in the United States, and help encourage participation in the 2020 Census.

Together with the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System WNYLRC has also created a series of stand-up banners to explain the history and importance of the US Census. These banners are available in .pdf form for you to download here.

Creator credit: Heidi Ziemer, Western NY Library Resources Council; with graphic design work by Dawn Stanton from Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

Census 2020 Traveling Library Exhibit

SCRLC is currently accepting applications to host the traveling census exhibit for February through September 2020. The exhibit consists of four retractable stand posters, 86" x 33". The length of the exhibit period will depend upon interest and will be scheduled first come, first serve. Exhibit delivery is available. Deadline to sign up is February 14th.

Please contact Jessica Philippe at jphilippe@scrlc.org with any questions regarding the exhibit.

Making Sense of the Census in New York is an exhibit currently featured on New York Heritage. You can find information about the history of the census and previous challenges that have come from undertaking the task of counting everyone in America.