Meg Brown

Libraries have a vital role to play in the census—especially this year, as the process moved primarily online, increasing the potential for undercounts of those on the wrong side of the digital divide. Historically, libraries have assisted the U.S. Census Bureau in helping people apply for field operations jobs, promoting the census, providing informational materials, educating patrons about census misinformation, and assisting patrons in the library with filling out response forms. However, much has changed with the spread of COVID-19 and the closure of thousands of libraries.

When my library closed on March 17 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was told there would be no work for me until we reopened. I left work early that day so that I could go home and apply for unemployment before the website shut down at 6 p.m. I had received no information from my employer about my financial options in the wake of the closure, only a list of numbers to call for mental health services. I didn’t know what my options were other than applying for unemployment and hoping I would qualify. I am not alone.