Originally published 9/16/2019; Last updated: 8/28/2020 1:13 PM CT

Jump to:  The Census Today  |  What's at Stake for Illinois Citizens and Libraries  |  Census 2020 Informational Resources  |  How Your Library Can Help: Promotional Resources, Tools, and Strategies   

 

 

Illinois Heartland Library System, the Illinois Complete Count Commission, and the Illinois State Library are asking libraries to do their part in making sure as many people are counted as possible—and it's imperative we do so to help ensure Illinois gets proper representation and our fair share of federal and state funding. Here's why it matters and what Illinois libraries can do.  

Featured Resources

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[EVENT RECORDING] Make Your Community Count! Public Libraries & the Census Today

Join Illinois Heartland Library System for a Census reboot event featuring Joe Natale (Illinois State Library), Lauren Chambers (The Urbana Free Library), Diana Donahoo (Centralia Regional Library District), Johnna Schultz (Effingham Public Library), and Ashley Stewart (Caseyville Public Library). Hear them talk about the state of 2020 Census today, why Census is important to our local communities, and how libraries have pivoted their plans and are promoting the Census mid-pandemic. Please note: Due to technical difficulties incurred, the recording starts approximately 10 minutes into the event.

 

Illinois Census 2020 Thunderclap Kit

The thunderclap officially happened Aug. 27, but you can still use these great social media graphics and sample posts on your social media pages

Open the Thunderclap Tool Kit

ALA's Libraries and the 2020 Census: Adapting Outreach in Response to COVID-19

A 4-page PDF guide by the American Library Association highlighting the key ways to adapt your library's census outreach and make it work during the pandemic

U.S. Census Bureau's Encouraging Response to the 2020 Census During COVID-19 

A 2-page PDF guide by the U.S. Census Bureau highlighting key strategies and easy tactics for promoting response to the 2020 Census during the pandemic

DCC Marketing Census Tools for Libraries

As one of the State of Illinois' Regional Intermediaries, RAILS has worked with DCC to develop a wide variety of resources to promote the census and have compiled them into a shared DropBox folder for use by Illinois Organizations. Tools Included: 

• Traditional Advertising (Newspaper, Billboard, Radio, Transit Ads)
• Digital and Social Media (posts, images, ads, cover photos)
• Videos (English and Spanish subtitles)
• Collateral (Signs, Flyers, Stickers)
• Additional Resources and Letters

Use them on your social media platforms, by sharing resources in your community, and with other local partners such as schools, park districts, grocery stores, restaurants, and social service agencies. If you have additional questions or would like collateral in other languages, please contact Amy de la Fuente, RAILS Program Manager for Census 2020. 

 

Open the DCC Marketing Census Tools Folder

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Funding for Illinois libraries and social services

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As little as a 1% undercount would result in the State of Illinois losing $19,557,435 per year for a decade—a total loss of $195,574,350 that would otherwise have been used to support libraries and critical support services and programs. Libraries are directly affected through reduced funding from the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), funding that supports interlibrary delivery, the SHARE shared catalog, and per capita grants. 

 

The Census. It's all about Power and Money.

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Political representation for Illinoisans

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An undercount would result in a smaller voice for Illinois citizens from Cairo to Carbondale, Albion to Effingham, and Waverly to Winthrop Harbor. At the national level, this means underrepresentation for Illinoisans in the U.S. Congress in the form of fewer House seats to represent us. Within the State, an undercount could impact the perceived size and demographic makeup of individual voting districts, resulting in unfairly re-drawn electoral districts and a greater imbalance within the Illinois General Assembly, giving more power to certain districts and less to others. 

 

Don't let rural Illinois go undercounted.

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Certain Subpopulations and Geographies in Illinois are Historically Undercounted.

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Demographics

According to the Illinois Complete Count Commission, these subpopulations of Illinois are historically undercounted:

• Veterans
• Minority communities, including racial and ethnic minorities
• College students
• Foreign-born Illinois residents (documented and undocumented)
• Retirees spending summer in Illinois and winter in warmer climates
• Farm families residing in rural counties
• Persons living in large housing units or apartment complexes
• Children under age 5
• Homeless

Looking particularly at Illinoisians' race and ethnicity, blacks could be undercounted by 2.34% to 3.7%, American Indians and Native Alaskans by 0.41% to 1.96%, Asian American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander by 0.3% to 1.27%, and Hispanic/Latinx by 1.8% to 3.5%, according to projections by the Urban Institute. Whites may be over-counted by 0.15% to 0.82% (Urban Institute).

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Geographies

Certain geographies in Illinois are also historically hard-to-count. During Census 2010, nearly 1 in 5 Illinoisans—19.3% of our state's population—neglected to mail back their questionnaire and thus required in-person follow-up. Many of these no-response households fell in certain geographic tracts. It is estimated that approximately 16% of Illinois's current population live in these hard-to-count geographic tracts, making these areas more likely to be undercounted (HTC 2020). These areas include:

• East St.Louis and these surrounding areas: Brooklyn, Bunkum, Cahokia, Centreville, Exermont, French Village, National City, Rosemont, Sauget
• Cairo and southeast Alexander County
• Champaign-Urbana Metropolitan Area
• Charleston
• Danville
• Decatur
• Herrin
• Mt. Vernon
• Springfield
• South Roxana down to northern Pontoon Beach
• Ullin, Pulaski, Mound City, and the western half of Pulaski County
  (HTC 2020)

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The Citizenship Question

A citizenship question will NOT be present on the 2020 Census survey. However, the debate around including the citizenship question on the 2020 Census may lead to an undercount of certain subpopulations. Please include this in your outreach and promotion to those who speak English as a foreign language and to non-English speakers.

Want to learn more? Read ALA's position on the citizenship question.

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Webinars / Events

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Upcoming Webinars / Events

There are no known upcoming webinars/events at this time.

 

Recorded Webinars / Events for Multiple Library Types

Make Your Community Count! Public Libraries & the Census Today (Aug. 10, 2020) event recording - Join Illinois Heartland Library System for a Census reboot event featuring Joe Natale (Illinois State Library), Lauren Chambers (The Urbana Free Library), Diana Donahoo (Centralia Regional Library District), Johnna Schultz (Effingham Public Library), and Ashley Stewart (Caseyville Public Library). Hear them talk about the state of 2020 Census today, why Census is important to our local communities, and how libraries have pivoted their plans and are promoting the Census mid-pandemic. Please note: Due to technical difficulties incurred, the recording starts approximately 8 to 10 minutes into the event.

RAILS Online Roundtable: Census 2020 Update (July 7, 2020) event recording - Join RAILS for a mid-pandemic update on Census 2020 including how some libraries have pivoted their outreach plans and what they are doing now

IHLS Members Matter (Dec. 3, 2019) event recording - A portion of this bi-monthly IHLS member event included a Census discussion by Joe Natale, Chief Deputy Director of the Illinois State Library and representative to the Illinois Complete Count Commission. The recording is available now to all Illinois libraries and is cued to play at the beginning of the Census 2020 discussion.

Census 2020: Make IL Count (Oct. 21, 2019) event recording - Joliet Junior College hosted an informative program to promote the importance of Census 2020. Open to students, their families, and the community-at-large, the program featured Joe Natale, Chief Deputy Director of the Illinois State Library and representative to the Illinois Complete Count Commission, and Verenise Alvarez, Spanish Community Center 'Get Out the Count' Campaign Coordinator. 

​Census 2020 Services and Resources (Aug. 15, 2019) recording - The second of two online roundtables hosted by RAILS for helping libraries learn more about Census 2020.

​Census 2020 Programming Roundtable (July 31, 2019) recording - The first of two online roundtables hosted by RAILS for helping libraries learn more about Census 2020.

​Libraries and the 2020 Census (July 19, 2019) webinar recording - This webinar, hosted by RAILS, discusses how to get your library involved with the 2020 Census.

Census 2020: Make Sure Illinois Counts (May 17, 2019) presentation deck - Download Joe Natale's slide deck from his presentation at the Reaching Forward South 2019 Conference 

​ALA Chapter Advocacy Exchange: Libraries and the 2020 Census (Feb. 26, 2019) webinar recording - An American Library Association webinar featuring Marci Merola and ALA President Loida Garcia-Febo; Gavin Baker and Larra Clark sharing a Census overview and ALA resources; Michelle Perera, Jennie Stapp, and Diane Foote as panelists; panel facilitator Megan Cusick; and Michael Dowling.

RAILS Member Update (Jan. 17, 2019) event recording - This RAILS member events included a presentation from Mary Riseling, Complete Count Commission Program Administrator, and Joe Natale, Chief Deputy Director of the Illinois State Library and representative to the Illinois Complete Count Commission. The recording is available now to all Illinois libraries and is cued to play at the beginning of the Census 2020 discussion.

Recorded Webinars / Events For Schools

​Census EDU Summit (Dec. 4, 2019) event videos and presentation decks - The ​​​Illinois State Board of Education, in collaboration with the Illinois Governor's Office, the Illinois 2020 Census Office, and the U.S. Census Bureau, hosted a half-day summit to learn more about the 2020 Census and how schools can play a central role in helping Illinois reach hard-to-count populations by engaging students and their families.

Census 2020: Make Sure Illinois Counts (Oct. 22-24, 2019) presentation deck - Download Joe Natale's slide deck from his presentation at the AISLE/IATE 2019 Conference (search "Natale" in Speaker's Last Name field).

Recorded Webinars / Events For Academics

CARLI Member Libraries and the 2020 Census: Promoting the Count (Dec. 11, 2019) event recording and presentation decks - Join Natalie Furlett, Executive Director, Campus Compact Illinois; and Katherine Paterson, Civic Engagement Librarian, Loyola University Chicago Libraries, as they discuss how member libraries of the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois can help promote Census 2020 and the participation of our students and communities.

Know of a past event we missed? Email us!

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Listservs and Newsletters

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*NEW RESOURCE* Census 2020 Partners - Become an official partner with the U.S. Census Bureau and sign up to receive alerts and access the partner toolkit (<< you'll really want this!)

​​Census 2020 Illinois library discussion listserv - RAILS and IHLS library employees may subscribe to and browse the discussion list archives from the RAILS email lists page. L2 login is required to view the message archives or subscribe to the list.

Libraries and the 2020 Census e-newsletter - Updates from the American Library Association about how libraries can play a key role in the 2020 Census, including ALA Census 2020 Initiatives, articles, and resources.

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Informational Resources

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Library-Specific Census Pages

Multi types ​​Illinois Library Association, Census 2020 

Multi types ​​American Library Association, 2020 Census 

*NEW RESOURCE* Key resource: ​​ALA Libraries and the 2020 Census: Adapting Outreach in Response to COVID-19 (summer 2020)

Key resource: ALA Libraries' Guide to the 2020 Census (1/22/20 updated ed.)

THIS PAGE! Illinois Heartland Library System, Illinois Libraries and the 2020 Census

Multi types ​​Reaching Across Illinois Library System, Libraries and Census 2020

Key resource: Census 2020 Illinois library discussion listserv

Academics ​​Association of College and Research Libraries, Keeping Up with...2020 Census

Schools ​​Illinois State Board of Education, 2020 Census 

General Census Pages

Illinois 2020 Census - a website created by the State of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Human Services

Illinois Complete Count Commission - The Commission is charged with submitting a report with a recommended outreach strategy in an effort to increase awareness of the importance of the 2020 Census.​

Key resource: Interim Report to the General Assembly (Nov. 2018)

Key resource: Census 2020: Make Sure Illinois Counts brochure PDF - This printable tri-fold brochure highlights why the Census matters, what's at state for Illinoisans, which subpopulations are historically undercounted, what individuals can do, ways to take the Census 2020 survey, and a note on confidentiality.

U.S. Census Bureau, Chicago Regional Office - Includes Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, Arkansas, Michigan, and Indiana)

*NEW RESOURCE* Key Resource: Encouraging Response to the 2020 Census During COVID-19 PDF

Key resource: Illinois Census job opportunities

United States Census Bureau, 2020 Census 

Urban Institute, The Vulnerable, Vital 2020 Census - Includes lots of information on why the Census matters, what's at stake, what populations are likely to be undercounted, and how miscounts affect vulnerable populations

Key resource: Assessing Miscounts in the 2020 Census research report

Printables

Printables for Multi-Type Libraries

*NEW RESOURCE* ​​ALA Libraries and the 2020 Census: Adapting Outreach in Response to COVID-19 (Summer 2020) PDF - a 4-page guide by the American Library Association highlighting the key ways to adapt your library's census outreach and make it work during the pandemic

*NEW RESOURCE* U.S. Census Bureau's Encouraging Response to the 2020 Census During COVID-19 PDF - a 2-page guide by the U.S. Census Bureau highlighting key strategies and easy tactics for promoting response to the 2020 Census during the pandemic

Libraries' Guide to the 2020 Census (1/22/20 updated ed.) PDF - A guide by the American Library Association for multiple types of libraries documenting why Census 2020 is important, what's at stake, why libraries should help, and the basics of what libraries can do

Assessing Miscounts in the 2020 Census research report - A report by the Urban Institute examining what populations are likely to be undercounted and how miscounts affect vulnerable populations

Illinois Complete Count Commission Interim Report to the General Assembly (Nov. 2018) PDF - The Illinois Complete Count Commission's interim report of its outreach and education plan, pursuant to Public Act 100-0390. The Commission is charged with submitting a report with a recommended outreach strategy in an effort to increase awareness of the importance of the 2020 Census.​

Will You Count? Renters in the 2020 Census PDF - This document, by the Center on Poverty and Inequality at Georgetown University and the Leadership Conference Education Fund, summarized the importance of the Census, the risk of renters and transitory occupants being undercounted, how this undercount would affect funding for critical services (including housing vouchers and low-income energy assistance), and how readers can help.

Printables for Academic Libraries

Academic Libraries and the 2020 Census: Reaching College Students PDF - A document by the American Library Association documents the basics regarding why college students are often miscounted, how the Census Bureau tries to capture counts of college students, and what academic libraries can do to help reach an accurate count. The digital PDF contains hyperlinks to additional resources.

 

Know of a great resource we missed? Email us!

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[EVENT RECORDING] Make Your Community Count! Public Libraries & the Census Today

Join Illinois Heartland Library System for a Census reboot event featuring Joe Natale (Illinois State Library), Lauren Chambers (The Urbana Free Library), Diana Donahoo (Centralia Regional Library District), Johnna Schultz (Effingham Public Library), and Ashley Stewart (Caseyville Public Library). Hear them talk about the state of 2020 Census today, why Census is important to our local communities, and how libraries have pivoted their plans and are promoting the Census mid-pandemic. Please note: Due to technical difficulties incurred, the recording starts approximately 8 to 10 minutes into the event.

 

Promotional Resources

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Illinois Census 2020 Thunderclap Kit

The thunderclap officially happened Aug. 27, but you can still use these great social media graphics and sample posts on your social media pages

Open the Thunderclap Tool Kit

DCC Marketing Census Tools for Libraries

As one of the State of Illinois' Regional Intermediaries, RAILS has worked with DCC to develop a wide variety of resources to promote the census and have compiled them into a shared DropBox folder for use by Illinois Organizations. Tools Included: 

• Traditional Advertising (Newspaper, Billboard, Radio, Transit Ads)
• Digital and Social Media (posts, images, ads, cover photos)
• Videos (English and Spanish subtitles)
• Collateral (Signs, Flyers, Stickers)
• Additional Resources and Letters

Use them on your social media platforms, by sharing resources in your community, and with other local partners such as schools, park districts, grocery stores, restaurants, and social service agencies. If you have additional questions or would like collateral in other languages, please contact Amy de la Fuente, RAILS Program Manager for Census 2020. 

 

Open the DCC Marketing Census Tools Folder

 

More Promotional Resources

 

Partnerships

Libraries and the 2020 Census PDF - When developing partnerships with other organizations, use this downloadable brief for decision-makers, developed by ALA.

Programming

Everyone Counts! pre-K book PDF - This English language story/activity book was developed for preschools through a collaboration between United States Census 2020 and Statistics for Schools. It can also be used for early readers.

¡Todo El Mundo Cuenta! book PDF - This Spanish language story/activity book was developed for preschools through a collaboration between United States Census 2020 and Statistics for Schools. It can also be used for early readers.​

We Count! - This campaign by Simply Put, a nonprofit with a mission to "bring books and engaged learning experiences to neglected audiences," is "a simple, affordable, early childhood 2020 Census campaign for hard-to-count communities." The campaign encourages organizations or individuals to provide their book, WE COUNT! A 2020 Census Counting Book for Young Children and the Grownups who Love Them, to every family with young children in their community or service area. The book is available in several languages. Additionally, the We Count! website includes a program toolkit, containing training materials, a written curriculum, and planning tools; and a family event toolkit, including printable invitations, posters, and related activities. You can also request your library be sent free/sponsored copies of We Count! for your library and your families.

Displays

ILA Census 2020 contest winner poster PDF - This poster was designed by Destiny Chapman, a junior at Lewistown High School, as part of the Illinois State Library's Census 2020 poster contest. It is available to libraries for promotional use as a PDF download. The poster can be printed large, framed or mounted on foam board or poster board, and displayed on walls or easels. It can also be converted to a PNG file suitable for websites and social media (see "Social Media" below). Additionally, ISL has sent a poster to all Illinois public libraries. 

Digital / Social Media

ILA Census 2020 contest winner poster PNG - This poster (shown here) was designed by Destiny Chapman, a junior at Lewistown High School, as part of the Illinois State Library's Census 2020 poster contest. Here you can find it pre-converted to a PNG file suitable for online use. 

The Census is All About Power and Money video - Produced by Rock the Vote, this video looks at how the Census affects fairness of how money and power are allocated. It ends by asking viewers pledge to complete the Census. The video is hosted on YouTube and thus easily shared through social media (just remember to include the link to Rock the Vote, which contains the video and the pledge).   Video-Only Link   |   Video/Pledge Link

 

Brochures / Pamphlets / Other Printables

Multi Types​ Census 2020: Make Sure Illinois Counts brochure PDF - This printable tri-fold brochure highlights why the Census matters, what's at state for Illinoisans, which subpopulations are historically undercounted, what individuals can do, ways to take the Census 2020 survey, and a note on confidentiality.​

Academics ​Everyone Off Campus Should Get In on the Census. PDF - For college students, this PDF is printable or could be converted to two PNGs for social media use

Other

Matrix for Census Programming spreadsheet - Developed by the Vernon Area Public Library, this template helps libraries get started on matching up audiences and programs.

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Primary Strategies

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There are several general strategies that can, and often should, be used for all Census 2020 outreach and promotional campaigns--regardless of audience type.

General Strategies

Devote some staff time to Census outreach and promotion.

Illinois Heartland Library System, Illinois State Library (ISL), and Illinois Complete Count Commission all agree that it's critical for the health and wellbeing of Illinois citizens that all municipalities, counties, and voting districts are included in the Census count. (Why? Read Why does it matter? Here's what's at stake above.) Therefore, IHLS joins ISL and the Complete Count Commission in urging Illinois libraries to make Census 2020 outreach and promotion a priority in 2020. 

Consider devoting a number of staff hours to Census 2020 communication and programming. 

The amount of staff time appropriate for your library must take into consideration the number of personnel and staff hours, programming and printing budgets, and volunteer resources. For very small libraries, an hour a week might be appropriate. For very large libraries, 5 hours a week now and 10 or 15 hours a week later, divided among a few staff members, might be appropriate.

Develop a plan and consider all potential target audiences.

Think about all of your potential audiences, including secondary audiences. Secondary audiences can be very influential on primary audiences. For example: If your library is part of a school or has youth programming, you can reach parents both directly and through their children. The parents might be the primary target, but reaching children allows them, in turn, to influence their parents.

Educate your audiences.

Educate your patrons and community members about the importance of a complete count, including funding decisions and political representation.

Partner with organizations that serve the hard-to-count.

If your community falls in one of the hard-to-count tracts or includes hard-to-count subpopulations, find an organization that already has connections with those people. Work with the organization to reach out to them for educational and promotional purposes. Such organizations include faith institutions, community centers, social service centers, and professional associations, among others.

Promote Census Jobs

The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting to fill hundreds of thousands of positions across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count. They are hiring for a variety of temporary jobs, including census takers, recruiting assistants, office staff, and supervisory staff. In the cases where households do not complete their survey online or return their paper survey, where applicable, Census Bureau representatives will be visiting those households in person. 

The Illinois State Library and the Illinois Complete Count Commission are asking Illinois libraries to help promote the availability of census jobs. Libraries can help by posting the flyers; linking to census jobs information on websites, in e-newsletters, and on social media; as well as any other creative ways of spreading the message. Please do what you can to spread the word. Learn more and download digital flyers here. Flyer direct links: English   Spanish

Allow all individuals to use public access computers—regardless of library card status.

Allow all individuals to use public library computers to complete their Census survey, even if the individuals do not have a library card. It is in a library's best interest for all members of their local and regional community to be counted in the 2020 Census. (See Illinois State Library Director Greg McCormick's appeal for libraries to encourage Census participation and to allow Census survey takers' use of public access computers.)

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Strategies by Audience

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Early Childhood / Parents with Young Children

Strategy: Awareness/Education: Tell parents of young children about the funding decisions based on Census data, including funding for public schools, social services, and the library per capita grants that could affect children's programming in their library. It's important their young children are counted, too.

• Tactic: Posters in the children's area
• Tactic: Bookmarks in the children's area and given out at early childhood events
• Call to action: When you get your Census survey, fill it out and make your family count!

Strategy: Motivation: Focusing on racially/ethnically diverse families, explain with urgency the need for their families and children to be counted. Provide a direct ask.

• Tactic: Children's storytime featuring WE COUNT! A 2020 Census Counting Book for Young Children and the Grownups who Love Them, the downloadable/printable English language Everyone Counts! story and activity book, or the downloadable/printable Spanish language ¡Todo El Mundo Cuenta! story and activity book.
  • Send every family home with a printed copy of one of the books.
  • Ask attending caregivers to complete the survey.
  • Explain how/where to count kids with nontraditional living arrangements, including foster children and children living with relatives other than parents.
  • Invite caregivers/guardians to attend a Census 2020 party at your library.
  • RELATED RESOURCES:
    • Find WE COUNT! Party printable invitations and other resources on the WE COUNT! website.
    • Are you a library with a very small budget? Request a sponsored WE COUNT! book here. 
• Tactic: Up the excitement with a Census 2020-related display of counting books
• Call to action: Don't deny your children services--complete your Census survey online, by mail, or by phone and make your family count!

 

 

Youth K-8 / Parents of Children in Grades K-8

Strategy: Awareness/Education: Educate children on how funding decisions affect their schools and social services.

• Tactic: School-wide assembly with skit led by 6th, 7th, or 8th graders
• Call to action: Encourage your parents to complete their Census survey.

Strategy: Awareness/Education: Educate guardians on the impact of funding decisions based on Census data, including funding for public schools and social services.

• Tactic: Email to students' guardians from each school's principal
• Call to action: When the time comes, complete your Census 2020 survey by phone, by mail, online at home, or online at your local participating public library.

Strategy: Motivation through digital content: Educate guardians on the impact of funding decisions based on Census data, including funding for public schools and social services.​

• Tactic: Email to students' guardians from the school superintendent
• Tactic: Publish the superintendent's letter on the school district blog
• Call to action: Look for the Census 2020 postcard in the mail and respond, either by phone, by mail, online at home, or online at your local participating public library.​

Teens in Grades 9-12 / Parents of Kids in Grades 9-12

Strategy: Awareness/Education: Educate guardians on the impact of funding decisions based on Census data, including funding for public schools and social services.

• Tactic: Email to students' guardians from each school's principal
• Call to action: When the time comes, complete your Census 2020 survey by phone, by mail, online at home, or online at your local participating public library.

Strategy: Motivation through digital content: Educate guardians on the impact of funding decisions based on Census data, including funding for public schools and social services.​

• Tactic: Email to students' guardians from the school superintendent
• Tactic: Publish the superintendent's letter on the school district blog
• Call to action: Look for the Census 2020 postcard in the mail and respond, either by phone, by mail, online at home, or online at your local participating public library.​

College Students

Strategy: Educate on-campus and off-campus students and professors on the need for off-campus students to complete the Census 2020 survey, one survey per apartment/household. (Students living in dormitories will be counted through a building-wide Census 2020 survey, and they do not need to worry about the Census 2020 survey. Students living away from home and off-campus should complete the census on their own, 1 survey per household/set of roommates, and should not be included on their parents' Census survey.)

• Tactics: Social media posts, flyers around campus, direct mail, email,
• Call to action: Tell your off-campus friends to complete their Census

Strategy: Encourage away-from-home, off-campus students to complete their Census survey.

• Tactics: Targeted social media ads
• Call to action: Fill out your Census 2020 survey

Strategy: Educate parents on the need for students living outside the family home and off-campus to enter their own data.

• Tactics: Targeted email
• Call to action: Encourage your off-campus, out-of-home student to complete their Census 2020 survey.

College or Program Alumni

Strategy: Awareness/Education through content development.

• Tactic: Write an article about the importance and impact of a complete count. Publish the article in the alumni newsletters and blogs.
• Call to action: Take action: join a Complete Count Committee or volunteer to work a Census 2020 party and a local university or public library.

Senior Adults (approx. ages 60+)

Strategy: Awareness/Education and Motivation through printed materials, emails, and community partnerships.

• Tactic: Printed over-sized postcard for senior adults: Side 1: Feature one or two impactful stats about how funding affects senior adults. Side 2: Invite older adults to respond to the Census by phone or to visit the library for help completing the Census online. 
• Tactic: Printed over-sized postcard for senior adults: Side 1: Educate readers on avoiding Census-related fraud and scams.Side 2: Invite older adults to respond to the Census by phone or to visit the library for help completing the Census online. SUGGESTED HOOK: "Don't be scammed!"
• Tactic: Include this information in newsletters, e-newsletters, and targeted emails.
• Tactic: Arrange for printed materials to be distributed at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and senior residences. 
• Call to action:  "Respond to the Census by phone or visit your library for help completing the Census online."

Strategy: Awareness/Education through publicity in partner publications.​

• Tactic: Seek out organizations in your community already planning and/or executing Census 2020 campaigns targeting seniors. Send them information about Census Parties at your library where adults can seek help with completing the Census. PITCH: Census 2020 Parties at the local library would be a great opportunity for the partner organization's older adult audience.
• Call to action: "Respond to the Census by phone or visit your library for help completing the Census online."

Strategy: Awareness/Education through partner-made publications.​

• Tactic: Seek out Census materials created by national, state, or local organizations. Offer to display and distribute materials inside your library.
• Call to action: *developed by the partner organization*

Strategy: Motivation through collaborative events.​

• Tactic: Recruit a partner organization that serves senior adults. Develop a program to be held and the partner's building, publicized by the partner to their clientele, and publicized to library patrons by digital and print newsletters.
• Event promotion call to action: Attend the program.
• Event program call to action: "Respond to the Census by phone or visit your library for help completing the Census online."​​​​​​

This list of suggested strategies and tactics is not exhaustive. Important audiences to consider include low-income adults, foreign language speakers including immigrants, and other hard-to-count populations.

Have a great idea to share that could be included above? Tell us!

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Suggested Promotional and Outreach Timeline

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Please note: This is one suggested timeline based on the Census Bureau's pre-pandemic schedule. Your timeline will need to be adjusted based on your library's publication schedule, staff level, and other needs.

printer friendly timeline
 

Timeline in General Phases

Awareness Phase
        January-February 2020

Motivation Phase
        March-April 2020

Reminder Phase
        May-July 2020

Thank You & Highlights Phase
        April 2021

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Timeline Breakdown

Awareness Phase

Dec. 2019-Jan. 2020

• Decide how much time and other resources your library can dedicate to Census 2020 outreach and promotion

Feb. 16-29

• Continue including an educational message and Census 2020 program descriptions in at least 2 weekly/bi-weekly e-newsletters
• Continue weekly social media posts containing a graphical message: an educational message or Census 2020 program info (or save-the-dates)
• Add Census programming events to e-newsletters
• Hold children/youth programming events
• Include an educational message and Census 2020 program descriptions (or save-the-dates) in at least 2 weekly/bi-weekly e-newsletters
• Draft talking points for staff based on your library's Census 2020 plan
• Talk to full staff about the importance of your library and staff playing their parts to promote the Census 2020 count. Share your Census 2020 plan and talking points
• Hang posters in the building and/or around campus
• Add information to the library website
• Add Census Day and related events to library calendar
• Post to social media weekly with a graphical message: an educational message or Census 2020 program info (or save-the-dates)

Feb. 2-15

• Include an educational message and Census 2020 program descriptions (or save-the-dates) in the February print newsletter

Jan. 15- Feb. 1, 2020

• Talk to your library staff most likely to design/implement the Census 2020 programming/promotions about the importance of your library playing its parts to promote the Census 2020 count. Work with them to draft a Census 2020 plan (2-3 meetings)
• Assign projects or tasks and deadlines to staff

Motivation Phase

March 1-14, 2020

• Include a motivational message with a call to action in the March print newsletter and all e-newsletters
• Include Census 2020 program descriptions in all e-newsletters
• Post weekly to social media, plus March 12, with a call to action to attend a Census party or take the Census survey
• March 12: Targeted email 1: "Census self-response now open!" or similar message with directions
• Put out yard signs: "Take the Census 2020 here!" or similar
• March 12-14: Hold census-taking events
• Contact local media about your library's efforts to promote the Census 2020 count. PITCH: local libraries nationwide, including your library, are taking an active part in promoting Census activities. TALKING POINTS: The importance of being counted (i.e. Illinois and your local area, including minorities, getting fair funding and fair representation), what your library is doing, people needing Internet access can use your library regardless of library card status.

March 15-28, 2020

• Continue including a motivational message with a call to action in all e-newsletters
• Continue including Census 2020 program descriptions in all e-newsletters
• Continue to display yard signs: "Take the Census 2020 here!" or similar
• Continue posting weekly to social media with a call to action ​to attend a Census party or take the Census survey
• Hold census-taking parties
• Continue displaying yard signs: "Take the Census 2020 here!" or similar​

March 29-April 4, 2020

• Include a motivational message with a call to action in all e-newsletters
• Include Census 2020 program descriptions in all e-newsletters
• Continue posting weekly to social media with a call to action ​to attend a Census party or take the Census survey
• Continue displaying yard signs: "Take the Census 2020 here!" or similar​
• Mon. March 30: Contact local media about your library's Census-taking parties and/or other programming. PITCH: Your library is holding Census-taking parties for all, regardless of library card status-most of the time only cardholders can use public access computers. The media is invited to take photographs and/or video. TALKING POINTS: The importance of being counted (i.e. Illinois and your local area, including minorities, getting fair funding and fair representation), what your library is doing, people needing Internet access can use your library regardless of library card status.​
• Wed. April 1: Hold Census Day Census-taking parties (adults take the real Census survey, youth take a simple, mock survey)​
• Wed. April 1: Targeted email 2: Census Day events reminder!​
• Sat. April 4: Hold second Census-taking event​

April 5-30

• Include a motivational message with a call to action in the April print newsletter and all e-newsletters
• Include Census 2020 program descriptions in all e-newsletters
• Continue posting weekly to social media with a call to action ​to attend a Census party or take the Census survey
• Continue displaying yard signs: "Take the Census 2020 here!" or similar​

Reminder Phase

May 1-July 31, 2020

• Host monthly Census 2020 parties
• Update posters with a "There is still time be counted! Complete your survey by July 31!" (or similar) message.
  
  • Add physical starbursts to existing posters to draw attention to the change in message and urgency
• Update posters and website information with a "There is still time be counted! Complete your survey by July 31!" (or similar) message.
• Include a reminder message with a call to action in the May, June, and July print newsletter and twice a month in e-newsletters​
• Periodically post to social media with a reminder / call to action ​to attend a Census party or take the Census survey

Thank You & Highlights Phase

August 2020

• Include a thank you/wrap-up message in the August print newsletter
• Include a thank you/wrap-up message in two of weekly/bi-weekly e-newsletters
• Create a thank you display or celebration for staff

April 2021

• ​​Search for the Census results (which are scheduled to be transmitted to state governments March 31, 2020).
• Create some infographics in Canva or another graphics platform to share some Census 2020 results about your community and how those numbers might affect funding.
• Thank everyone for taking the Census survey and supporting Illinois and their local communities.

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