Happy National Census Day!

The 2020 Census is more than a nation-wide head count. More people counted in the state means more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. It means more federal and state dollars for essential public services such as healthcare, schools, roads, and emergency response. The outcome of the 2020 census will determine the budgets of these institutions for the next ten years until the next census. 

The Morgantown Public Library is one such institution that relies heavily on an accurate count. In order to provide more books, ebooks, audiobooks, research databases, better educational programming and learning spaces for the city’s growing population, the library’s budget must grow as well. For this to happen, the city’s census count must reflect this population growth. 

As of March 27th, West Virginia’s response rate was well below the national average–a mere 19.1%. Moreover, the Census Bureau is finding it increasingly difficult to count Monongalia County. With the current public health crisis surrounding COVID-19, residents may be reluctant to open their doors to census takers for fear of contagion. More than ever, it is important that we all complete the census, either online, over the phone, or by mail. 

It takes just five minutes to make sure the city that serves your family is adequately funded. We are committed to helping our communities achieve a complete count because libraries serve everyone, and we believe that everyone counts. Be heard. Be counted. Complete your 2020 Census today. 

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Complete your 2020 Census at https://my2020census.gov/. Completing the census over the phone is also an option (see below for phone numbers by language.)  All homes will receive a paper questionnaire if they do not first respond online or by phone. The paper questionnaire will have a return address of the following:  U.S. Census Bureau, National Processing Center, 1201 E 10th Street, Jeffersonville, IN 47132

  • English: 844-330-2020
  • Spanish: 844-468-2020
  • Chinese (Mandarin): 844-391-2020
  • Chinese (Cantonese): 844-398-2020
  • Vietnamese: 844-461-2020
  • Korean: 844-392-2020
  • Russian: 844-417-2020
  • Arabic: 844-416-2020
  • Tagalog: 844-478-2020
  • Polish: 844-479-2020
  • French: 844-494-2020
  • Haitian Creole: 844-477-2020
  • Portuguese: 844-474-2020
  • Japanese: 844-460-2020
  • English (for Puerto Rico residents): 844-418-2020
  • Spanish (for Puerto Rico residents): 844-426-2020
  • TDD (Telephone Display Device): 844-467-2020