Ohoopee Regional Library System was recently named one of 59 libraries nationwide to receive a $2,000 Library Census Equity Fund grant from the American Library Association (ALA), which awarded the grants to bolster library services to hard-to-count communities and help achieve a complete count in the 2020 Census.
Ohoopee RegionalLibrary Director Cameron Asbell said the system is honored to receive this grant to help with the 2020 Census and the library hopes to provide access and information to everyone in the community about the process.
According to Asbell, in 2019 more people visited libraries in the country than went to the movies or attended live sporting events. Asbell said that despite the fallacy that libraries are losing relevance the local library is busier than ever, noting the staff is there to help with information, job searches, education, literacy and this year the Census. Computers for Census reporting set up to quickly complete the Census and not have to worry about mailing it back. The libraries in the Ohoopee Regional Library System all have high speed fiber Internet and Wireless access for free at each location and whether you have a library card or not, they are here to serve.
This grant will also be used to provide Internet hotspots to travel with our Mobile Census Computer Lab as well as promotional materials. This 2020 Census is going to be mostly online with paper forms mailed out to some regions that lack widespread digital access. The Georgia State Legislature provided funding this year to purchase computers specifically for Census use in communities and the grant will add to the efforts to provide locations where people can fill out the 2020 Census securely online.
The results of the 2020 Census will affect communities across the country. More than $1.5 trillion in federal funds are allocated each year to state and local governments based on Census data. When residents are missed in the Census, their communities miss out on needed funding for services such as libraries, schools, healthcare, and transportation.
The U.S. Constitution requires a census of all residents every ten years. In the 2020 Census, residents will have the choice to respond online, by phone, or by mail. The U.S. Census Bureau will send mailings to households prior to Census Day, which is April 1, 2020.
