[Michlib-l] 2020 Census: How Librarians can help dispel misinformation to ensure a fair count

[Atkin, Evette (MDE)]

Greetings.

Did you know that by law census information can only be used for statistical purposes? Even though it has been announced that the census will not include citizenship questions, many are still leery of participation. According to American Libraries Magazine in their August 1st article, Next Steps on the Census: Librarians can help dispel misinformation to ensure a fair count:

  *   The 2020 Census will not ask respondents about their citizenship.
  *   Filling out the census form is important and safe. A complete count is vital to ensuring political representation, and federal funding is properly allocated based on all the people who live in our cities and towns. Communities that are undercounted are disadvantaged both economically and politically.
  *   US law provides strong confidentiality protections and safeguards for census responses. The law prohibits the US Census Bureau from sharing personal census responses with any other government agency, court of law, or private entity for any purpose, including law enforcement. Census Bureau staff who have access to personal information are sworn for life to protect confidentiality. They are subject to a $250,000 fine and/or up to five years in federal prison for wrongful disclosure of information.
  *   The Census Bureau will never ask for a bank or credit card number, Social Security number, a payment, or donation. People can check<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.census.gov%2Fprograms-surveys%2Fsurveyhelp%2Ffraudulent-activity-and-scams.html&data=02%7C01%7CAtkinE%40michigan.gov%7Ccfdd78df10aa40ff5d4208d71b4e4eda%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637007895445982214&sdata=GoymECnJsmsvjBNaMxvQeqSCoxPDYkCbKGyDDjpzHaw%3D&reserved=0> if they have questions about mail, email, phone calls, or visits that claim to come from the Census Bureau. (https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/next-steps-2020-census/<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Famericanlibrariesmagazine.org%2Fblogs%2Fthe-scoop%2Fnext-steps-2020-census%2F&data=02%7C01%7CAtkinE%40michigan.gov%7Ccfdd78df10aa40ff5d4208d71b4e4eda%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637007895445982214&sdata=F%2FZ%2B0bAjeNyq6lim%2FN4kv86lBctxnlM3TAa8kYwbo98%3D&reserved=0>)
The American Library Association has released the "Libraries' Guide to the 2020 Census<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ala.org%2Fadvocacy%2Fsites%2Fala.org.advocacy%2Ffiles%2Fcontent%2Fgovinfo%2FLibrariesGuide2020Census.pdf&data=02%7C01%7CAtkinE%40michigan.gov%7Ccfdd78df10aa40ff5d4208d71b4e4eda%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637007895445992217&sdata=mkOUnGJ0BLvPY%2BUGz5JOq1jKCPFs%2B8jEelLp1j5BiH8%3D&reserved=0>," highlighting the importance of census participation not only for your library, but your community. In Michigan, an accurate census count ensures that your library receives state aid funds that reflects your community's growing populations and the Library of Michigan encourages Michigan libraries to attend this free, half-day workshop presented by U.S. Census Bureau. This workshop will be held at 4 locations:

Portage District Library - August 23<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flibraryofmichigan.z2systems.com%2Fnp%2Fclients%2Flibraryofmichigan%2Fevent.jsp%3Fevent%3D258&data=02%7C01%7CAtkinE%40michigan.gov%7Ccfdd78df10aa40ff5d4208d71b4e4eda%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637007895445992217&sdata=1IRY3RBJa2r7jcZJbwIjm6DEgkXl5KKD75%2FmZ0XXhYM%3D&reserved=0>

Peter Whited Public Library - August 28<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flibraryofmichigan.z2systems.com%2Fnp%2Fclients%2Flibraryofmichigan%2Fevent.jsp%3Fevent%3D257&data=02%7C01%7CAtkinE%40michigan.gov%7Ccfdd78df10aa40ff5d4208d71b4e4eda%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637007895446002225&sdata=7lMKyhB1YAX%2F0mJMhTtUaDnmn8zDGoJlkTY%2BCA5N2f0%3D&reserved=0>

Chippewa River District Library - August 29<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flibraryofmichigan.z2systems.com%2Fnp%2Fclients%2Flibraryofmichigan%2Fevent.jsp%3Fevent%3D256&data=02%7C01%7CAtkinE%40michigan.gov%7Ccfdd78df10aa40ff5d4208d71b4e4eda%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637007895446002225&sdata=Oa2BjkM6o0b%2FWTyvwV4syPW0U7oT0vTbPvw8AnEzMvc%3D&reserved=0>

Bloomfield Township Library - September 24<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flibraryofmichigan.z2systems.com%2Fnp%2Fclients%2Flibraryofmichigan%2Fevent.jsp%3Fevent%3D255&data=02%7C01%7CAtkinE%40michigan.gov%7Ccfdd78df10aa40ff5d4208d71b4e4eda%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637007895446012229&sdata=WT5CACOlR605eWRMhJ4L9N4qP%2FRS4zJA%2Bwmi%2F7kjhDQ%3D&reserved=0>

We hope to see you there!

Evette M. Atkin
Continuing Education Coordinator
Library of Michigan
atkine at michigan.gov<mailto:atkine at michigan.gov>
517.335.1495

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