The Brownwood Library is the recipient of two grants to help support getting a complete census count. A complete census count is important as it will affect the funding for the area and the state for the next 10 years. The library is offering the following incentives to folks completing the census:

* They can enter to win $1,000 for one of 5 community partners who are helping us get a more complete count. These non-profits and churches all have connections with the “hard to count” populations. (The participating partners are listed here: http://www.brownwoodpubliclibrary.com/census.html)

* They can enter to personally win $50 to a Brown County business of their choice

* They can enter to win a mega Lego pack if they count a child age 10 or under (“My first census”)

In order to qualify for this entry:

* Complete the census at one of our drive-through census events sponsored by one of our 5 partners

* Complete the census at the library, the genealogy library or at one of our partners’ locations (not all partners are offering this)

* Complete the census at home, capture a screenshot and submit it here: http://www.brownwoodpubliclibrary.com/census.html

* Complete the census at your event, if you’d like! We’d be happy to provide you with entry slips if it motivates more people to complete the census!

* (If they’ve already completed the census, they are unfortunately not eligible to enter. We’re trying to get new people here.)

How can you benefit or partner from this? If there is any way the library can support your census efforts, please let us know! Some possible ways:

* If you are doing any sort of census event, please let the library know. They have a lot of items that can be borrowed, including:

* A laptop computer

* A wifi hotspot

* A lawn banner and supplies (t-posts, etc.) to put it up

* Small lawn signs

* Entry forms for the contest

The library has been given a lot of posters, flyers, bookmarks, etc., to promote the census. The library does not have space to put these all up and they need a home. If the library runs out, they can be sent more, so please, if you have space, put some up!