American democracy depends on the U.S. Census, which counts every person every ten years and uses the results to allocate political power and trillions of dollars in funding. Census records also provide an unparalleled glimpse into the history of our families, communities, and the nation. Come discover how to read the dramatic human stories hidden in the seemingly dry records left behind by prior census counts and consider what they can teach us about personal data today. (Bring your own historical census records if you'd like to share them or read them together!)

Dan Bouk is the author of Democracy's Data: The Hidden Stories in the US Census and How to Read Them, a New York Times Notable Book for 2022. He teaches history at Colgate University. Learn more at https://www.shroudedincloaksofboringness.com/democracysdata/

Attendance is on a first come basis.

This program is made possible by the generous donors to the Cary Library Foundation