Census 2010

It is time again for the U.S. Census, the count of population the country undertakes every 10 years as required by the Constitution, and though this year's form promises to be one of the shortest in history, there will still be plenty of questions about what it is, who must take part, and why.

The what is, simply, the Census counts people. Why? Census information affects the numbers of seats your state occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives, but more than that, the information the census collects helps to determine how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and services like:

• Hospitals
• Job training centers
• Schools
• Senior centers
• Bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects
• Emergency service

And the who is everyone must take part so the country can have as accurate a count as possible. In March, forms will come to every home in the United States. If the forms are not returned, employees of the Census Bureau known as census takers will follow up with each address.

Thanks to the Internet, there are plenty of sites online to help answer questions about the process. You can even see an advance copy of the form.

You can begin your search here: http://2010.census.gov/ or in Spanish at http://2010.census.gov/espanol/. For common questions about how your information will and will not be used, check out the Census's Common Privacy Questions or check out some common questions asked about the Census itself at The Whole Story.

For those interested in how the Census is going around the country, you can track the progress this year through video, audio and photo blogs, and get an interesting snapshot of American in the process, at the Census's Take Part page.

Whether you are a government planner trying to get money to improve roads or schools or just someone looking for a long-lost ancestor, Census records play an important part in all our lives. For some interesting information gathered from the last census in 2000, check out the main Census site at http://www.census.gov/. Or for something a little closer to home, check out the special list of Census facts gathered about Indianapolis and New Orleans for the Super Bowl XLIV crowd.

Library Lovers Month

February has always been the month for lovers. From sweet nothings of the pen to sweet nothings of the chocolate variety, the month that gave us the Valentine has been the month of romance and amour.

Now, thanks to the Friends and Foundations of California Libraries, it is also the month for those who love their libraries, and frankly, we couldn't be more flattered.

Libraries are non-profit organizations that depend on the support of individuals, corporations, and foundations to help ensure that libraries remain free to the millions of people who visit in person or via the web each year. While government funding supports the basic operations of many of our nation's libraries, those funds don't provide for the many small niceties that make library service such a beloved part of our communities.

From their website "How to Love Your Library," we offer just a few suggestions for ways you can show your support for your favorite public library (wherever it may be):

• Nominate your library as your community, school or corporate organization's project for the year.
• Buy your library a subscription to a popular magazine.
• Donate a book...or a whole shelf of books.
• Remember your library in your estate planning.
• Join your library's friends group and come to a meeting or two.
• Share your passion by offering to present an adult program or fill a display case.

Whatever you give your love to this year, we are glad that many people out there are thinking of libraries. In turn, you can know we are also thinking about you.