October 31, 2019, 9-4pm
Nyumburu Cultural Center
University of Maryland, College Park iSchool
We are excited to host an IMLS-sponsored Counted In pre-conference forum. Forty librarians from across the country will gather to strengthen census outreach toward immigrants. Participation is by invitation only. Transportation and accommodation costs will be covered.
Our work will support the ALA 2020 Census Outreach and Education Task Force‘s efforts to ensure that libraries help in achieving a complete national count. According to ALA, libraries are community anchors that 1.) deliver information about the census and host community outreach, 2.) provide Internet access and enable respondents to complete the Census form, 3.) serve as trusted messengers, and 4.) provide access to census statistics for community members. The Counted In forum will grant exclusive attention to the needs of New Americans – whether they are refugees, asylees, documented or documented permanent residents, naturalized citizens or those with temporary protected status. As public-facing institutions, libraries are important to both promoting and facilitating census participation. Approximately $675 billion of federal support to states, counties, and communities are based on population totals and breakdowns by demographic variables, such as national origins, ethnicity, and race. Libraries, too, require accurate census data to meet constituents’ needs. There are barriers to census participation, especially for immigrants communities. Thus, the 2020 census calls for scaled-up efforts.
The goal of this forum is to:
- Discuss challenges and efforts toward promoting census participation among immigrant communities
- Participate in a design-thinking workshop to synthesize recommendations for library training and marketing material
The outcomes and deliverables will be:
- A toolkit containing library marketing templates (e.g., free, downloadable, and customizable flyers, banners, posters) and resources
- Webinars on recommendations for outreach to immigrant communities
Please direct questions or concerns regarding the Counted In Forum to Dr. Ana Ndumu at andumu@umd.edu.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.