Libraries partner with census in effort to get a complete count

• Rachel McDevitt/StateImpact Pennsylvania
  BioRecent Stories

  

  I report on energy and the environment for StateImpact Pennsylvania at WITF.
  
  My work focuses on responses and solutions to climate change in the state legislature and communities around the state. I trace my interest in these issues back to my time as a Girl Scout and this episode of Rocko’s Modern Life.
  
  I look forward to winter just for the chance to ski a few times each season. I try to keep myself from doom-scrolling on my phone by keeping my hands busy knitting and learning to play the piano.
  
  I grew up in Cambria County, Pa. and graduated from Temple University. I started at WITF just after Christmas in 2014.

 Rachel McDevitt / WITF

Patrons use public computers at the East Shore Area Library in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020.

(Harrisburg) — The 2020 Census is reaching out to trusted community groups in the midstate to help include as many people as possible in the count, and libraries hope to play a role.

The Dauphin County Library System is offering space to recruit and train census workers. It also plans to promote the headcount through social media and during community events.

Marjorie McKensie, administrator of the East Shore Area Library, said libraries helped raise awareness of census efforts in the past, but this year is different because it’s the first time people can fill out census forms online.

“And since the libraries offer many public computers and in-library laptop use, we expect that many people will be coming to the library to complete the census online,” McKensie said.

She added libraries already have a shortcut to the 2020 census website on all public computer desktops.

Last year, library users logged nearly 5 million minutes of time on public computers in Dauphin County.

McKensie said libraries act as a resource for people who could otherwise miss out on the count, such as those who are homeless or who don’t have internet access at home.

She said it’s important to try to get a complete count.

“The federal government distributes more than $675 billion in aid based on census counts for funding for school lunch programs, housing assistance, new roads, numerous other community needs, including libraries,” McKensie said.

The Wolf Administration says an undercount would mean Pennsylvania loses $2,000 per person per year over the next decade.

Census forms will be available in mid-March.

Mosaic is WITF’s home for all things arts, culture and lifestyle.

We spotlight and uplift the creators around us, featuring amazing artists, musicians, authors, chefs, dancers, designers, photographers, and more.

Watch Now