In 2010, only 57 percent of Newburgh’s residents were counted by the U.S. Census Bureau. Newburgh’s official census committee, Newburgh Counts, has already started their six-month countdown to the official census date on April 1, 2020.

Marylou Carolan is the Assistant Director of The Newburgh Free Library and part of Newburgh Counts’ Communications Committee. She joined census efforts as libraries all over the nation took leadership roles in the census movement. With the census becoming digital, Carolan still holds some concerns. “We’re in an area where 40 to 60 percent don’t have access to the internet without the library,” said Carolan. “It really hit home that we have to be active and knowledgeable.” In an effort to make access to the census easier, the library will have census events. Other events and meetings will also be held to raise awareness of the census.

Newburgh Counts will be holding their next meeting Tuesday, October 22 at 6 p.m. in the Newburgh Free Library. From 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. there will also be a Census hiring event in the library.