The workshops will provide participants with an introduction to the census, the types of data already available, information on upcoming data releases in 2015, and how to search and retrieve economic census data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s website, business.census.gov.
 
The detailed economic picture on Oklahoma from the 2012 Economic Census is due this fall, but there is already important summary data that Oklahomans can use now, according to Steve Beleu, federal government information librarian at the state Department of Libraries.
 
“Anyone looking for economic data, or who works in economic development, can benefit from these workshops,” Beleu said. “Certainly, businesses and governments investigating their local economic climate will discover useful data. Non-profits can use the tools to better understand their communities, and students will discover some powerful online research tools.”
 
Two national authorities on the Census Bureau’s information and data tools will present the workshops. Economist Andrew W. Hait has over 28 years of service at the bureau, where he oversees data user training. Earlene Dowell is an outreach/education specialist at the bureau who focuses on training users on the bureau’s state-of-the-art economic products.
 
Although not required, laptops may be brought to the workshops so participants can follow along with the presentations.
 
For additional information about the workshops, contact Melanie Poulter in Tulsa at 918-585-5551, or Steve Beleu in Oklahoma City, 405-522-3327.