You count! Get census help, info at your local library

The 2020 Census gets underway March 12, when households begin receiving invitations to respond to a brief questionnaire. The population count, mandated by the U.S. Constitution to take place every 10 years, determines how many representatives each state gets in Congress and how $675 billion in federal funding will be distributed to states and communities for essential services and infrastructure like hospitals, schools, roads and public safety.

The 2020 population figures will provide the representation and funding basis for the next 10 years, making it essential for every person to be counted - the very young, the very old, renters, owners - everyone living in the United States on April 1. Local libraries are working to get the word out about the count, clear up misconceptions about it and assist anyone completing the census form - no library card or login required.

Desk staff at local libraries have been trained to answer census questions, provide information and assist patrons. Many Lake County public libraries, including Vernon Area in Lincolnshire, will offer dedicated computers for completing online census forms, allowing anyone without internet access to respond securely online. Several area libraries, including Ela Area, Waukegan and Vernon Area, will host drop-in events on April 1, Census Day, to provide hands-on help to anyone who attends. Libraries are also spreading the word about census participation during regularly scheduled programs like story times.

Here's what to expect: Between March 12 and 20, the U.S. Postal Service will deliver census invitations to residential mailboxes. Recipients may respond online, by telephone or by mail. The questionnaire takes about 10 minutes to complete and only one form is completed for each household.

Respondents report how many people are living in their household on April 1, whether the home is owned or rented and the household members' ages and races or ethnic identities. No one will be asked about citizenship. And the U.S. Census Bureau does not share specific information with any other government agency. All information submitted through the census form is kept confidential by the Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency.

It's important to note that no census form or worker will ask for respondents' Social Security numbers, money, donations or bank or credit card account numbers.

The online and telephone questionnaires are available in 13 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Russian. The Census 2020 info site, https://2020census.gov, is available in 59 languages. Paper forms are available in English and Spanish only.

If an invitation is not acted on, the household will receive a reminder letter and/or postcard from the Census Bureau in late March or early April. Non-respondents can expect to receive a paper questionnaire. If that goes unanswered, a trained census worker from the community will come to your door to assist you in completing the count for your household beginning in May. Responses will be collected online, by phone or by mail, through July 31.

For more information about the census, ask at your local library or visit https://2020census.gov.