The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

With less than 30 days left to count residents in the 2020 Census, the Montana Department of Commerce and State Complete Count Committee are urging every Montanan who has not yet responded to the Census to do so before September 30. For every Montana resident counted, the Census estimates the state will receive nearly $2,000 per person each year in federal funding. The $20,000 per person coming into the state over the next decade is used in every Montana county for medical assistance, educational programs, need-based support, infrastructure, highway planning and over 300 other programs. Census data is also used to shape local voting and school districts and will determine whether Montana will regain a second seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Spending just a few minutes to complete your Census form will help ensure Montana gets its fair share of federal funding. Filling out the form is quick, easy, safe and important.

To date, 58.5 percent of Montana households have self-responded to the Census, compared to the national average of 64.9 percent, putting Montana among the bottom of states in self-responding to the Census. Blaine County is currently showing a dismal 35.4% response. The Blaine County Library and the Harlem Public Library are “Be Counted” sites in Blaine County. What that means for anyone who has not completed the Census, is that you can come into either library and we can help you get online and get you counted. Other options for Montanans who have not yet responded to the 2020 Census are to go to MY2020CENSUS.GOV, or call 1-844-330-2020, or mail in their Census form if they received one in the mail.

All patrons age 5 and over are required to wear a face covering to enter the building. The library made the decision to continue to require masks regardless of the active case count. It becomes too confusing for many of our patrons if we require masks one day and not the next, so we will continue requiring them until further notice and we thank the public for your cooperation. We require everyone to wash their hands upon entering the building and to practice social distancing while in the building.

Access to the library’s Wi-Fi is always available outside the building. The library has mobile hotspots available for check out if you need Internet access at home or elsewhere. These are small devices used to access the Internet by using a cellular connection. Patrons who have been registered at the Blaine County Library with a good record, for at least one month, may check out a hotspot for 14 days with no renewals. A user must read and sign a lending agreement and complete a survey upon return of the device. Each user is responsible to return the hotspot on time in good working order. If it is not returned on time the device will be disabled. The mobile hotspots are provided to libraries across the state thanks to a pilot program from Montana State Library.

We are currently working on plans for resuming our children’s programming at the library. We are working with the Health Department to make sure we are following proper protocols and procedure to keep staff and students safe. We will let everyone know as soon as we have a final plan in place.