Opening Libraries and Minds to
Citizenship Inspired: Preparing
Future Americans for the U.S.
Citizenship Test
2:30 to 3:45 p.m.
Gregg B. Gronlund, Branch Manager and
Cuauhtemoc “Temo” Mendoza, Technology
and Customer Support Specialist, West Oaks
Library, Orange County Library System
What is Citizenship Inspired?
How did we get from inspiration to
implementation?
The Success of Citizenship Inspired
Where it stands today
Related programs and offerings
What you can do!
Citizenship Inspired helps students
to practice their English skills, learn
the actual Civics questions and
answers that may be asked as well
as Vocabulary keywords for the
Reading and Writing portions of the
Naturalization Test.
Why Citizenship Inspired?
Community Need - Innovation – Relevance
– New Resources / Services
How did we get from inspiration to
implementation?
2007 Brainstorming Ideas –
History – Civics - Citizenship
Details that went into the grant
application
2008 IMLS Grant Application
Submitted
Community Need
# of Orlando area persons naturalized
increased: 5,326 in 2005 / 9,247 in 2006
Opportunities to prepare limited
Citizenship Test cost increase from $275 to $675
101,185 non-citizen Orange County residents
Design
Provide a support group of learners
Online discussion
Access to resources beyond the class
Use of Technology
Language Learning – ELLIS / English
Chatter / Practice Makes Perfect
Grant Elements
Budget – Grant Funds / Cost Share
Personnel – Permanent OCLS Staff - Consultants
Management Plan
Dissemination
Sustainability
Grant Elements
Materials, Supplies and Equipment
Schedule of Completion –
October 2008 through March 2010
1st Citizenship Inspired Classes January 2009
2008 IMLS Grant Awarded
$120,000
Implementing the grant
Grant Elements
What did these funds cover?
Education and Immigration Consultants
Curriculum Development
Staff training and travel
Advertising and Promotion
Materials and Equipment
Cost Share – Primarily OCLS staff % salaries/benefits
October 2008 to March 2010
Grant Implementation Period
October - December 2008
Curriculum Development / Planning /
Promotion
January 2009
First Citizenship Inspired Classes Offered
Becoming a Citizen – Temo’s Story
How does Citizenship Inspired
affect the Hispanic Community?
What is Moodle?
Customer Stories
Challenges & Rewards
Related Resources
OCLS Created
Citizenship & Immigration
Virtual Gallery
http://www.ocls.info/Virtual/
Galleries/Topical/citizenship.asp
Library Materials
U.S. Immigration Guides »
Immigration guides provide an overview of
how to start the United States citizenship
process, a brief history of immigration policy,
and the basics of immigration law. This list
includes both print materials and eBooks.
Green Cards and Visas »
Find books that include instructions and
assistance for the green card or visa
application process.
Citizenship Exam Books »
Learn about the advantages of being an
American citizen and review history and civics
questions for the exam.
Citizenship DVDs »
These DVDs will help you prepare for the
United States citizenship exam. Check out the
Citizenship, Interactive series, which is
available in different languages.
Back to Top
Citizenship Inspired Website
http://www.ocls.info/Programs/
citizenship_inspired.asp
http://twitter.com/oclscitizenship
Follow Us!
Orange County Library System
website
www.ocls.info
Changes
Initially at five libraries:
Alafaya, Edgewater, Herndon, Orlando
Public Library, and West Oaks
Expanded to five additional libraries:
Hiawassee, North Orange, South Creek,
South Trail, and Southeast
Taught by Technology and Customer Support
Specialists (TCSS)
Held in the computer classroom
Use of Moodle for Online Self-Paced learning
6 week class
Most locations offering Citizenship Inspired
monthly
Taught by Librarians, Lead Clerical Staff
Held in the program room instead of the
computer classroom
Use of Online Self-Paced Class tutorial
instead of Moodle
4 week class instead of 6 week class
Most locations offering Citizenship Inspired
every other month instead of monthly
Teaching Tools:
Videos
Booklet
Flash Cards
Handouts
Online Self Paced Class
Practice Interview
Student Profiles:
Mexico
Central and South America
Africa
Europe
Asia
Self-Paced Online Classes
Citizenship Inspired Practice for the U.S.
Naturalization interview and test by getting
help on topics like civics, speaking, reading
and writing, and giving a great interview.
Videos Used with Citizenship Inspired
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEqkFhRP1Ws –
YouTube Interview sample
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDb9_CqPUTQ
&feature=related – YouTube USCIS interview
sample & more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so14G_BOPbI –
YouTube A Promise of Freeedom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSWF9TqjEZU –
YouTube OCLS citizenship event
The Practice Interview
Call Customer in for Interview
Verify I.D.
Review the N-400 Form (test of English)
Reading English Questions
Writing English Questions
Civics Questions
Inform Customer of Probable Results
Success!
Statistics
At 10 locations,
Over 585 sessions presented,
To over 3,962 customers.
Publicity, Events, and Awards
What do customers like the
most about Citizenship Inspired:
Instructor Led
Practice Speaking / Writing English
Practice Civics Questions
Collaborative Learning
Practice Interview
Customer Testimonials
Related Resources / Services
USCIS Citizenship Resource
Center website
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/citizenship
Soy Culto!
http://www.ocls.info/
userinterest/default.asp#
soyculto
Right Service
http://www.rightservicefl.org/
What You Can Do!
E-mail gronlund.gregg@ocls.info to receive
electronic copies of Citizenship Inspired
materials
Alert your customers to websites and online
material / videos available
What You Can Do!
Alert your customers to fee card option for
attending and/or accessing the OCLS
online course
Implement your own Citizenship Inspired
presentations, adapted to your budget and
community
Encourage your library and county to
participate in Right Service
What You Can Do!
Continue to identify needs in your
community and design innovative
resources to meet them
Seek grant funding opportunities