Bartlesville council reopens debate over library citizenship and literacy grant

The Bartlesville City Council on Feb. 3 agreed to reconsider a January decision about a federal citizenship and English-language literacy grant for the Bartlesville Public Library following lengthy public comment from learners, teachers and other residents.

Supporters said the program helps immigrants learn English, integrate and prepare for naturalization. Cheryl Doris, the library’s literacy coordinator, told the council the library “does not check immigration status” and that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) performs any immigration-status checks as part of naturalization applications. “We do not even assist the learners in completing the N-400 applications or provide any legal advice,” Doris said.

Why it matters: The grant — administered through state and federal agencies including the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) — supplies funding for English conversation classes and citizenship-preparation courses that library staff and volunteers have run in Bartlesville for more than a decade. Council members said they wanted to ensure the city and library were in compliance with federal grant rules and to avoid potential legal or fiscal exposure.

Details: Dozens of residents — including current and former students of the program — told the council the classes were free, valuable and helped immigrants gain employment, driver’s licenses and social ties. “This program has changed my life,” said Abigail Rodriguez, a student who said the library’s tutoring helped her pass English and driving tests. Several speakers described attending naturalization ceremonies.

Council response and next steps: Councilman Aaron Kirkpatrick and others said they sought written confirmation from the state library office and federal grantors about eligibility and permissible verification steps for grant participants. Councilman Trevor Dorsey noted he had discussed the matter with state officials and was advised the library’s operations were complying with grant rules.

A motion by Councilman Larry East to reconsider the grant was made and seconded. The transcript records debate about legal compliance and whether the grant should be limited to permanent legal residents, but it does not include a final roll-call vote on re-approving or denying the grant. Council members asked staff and the library to provide the documentation they requested; at least one council member said additional information provided that day made him inclined to support the grant. No final disposition is recorded in the available transcript.

Context and background: The library’s citizenship classes have been funded intermittently by federal grants for about 11 years, according to library staff; instructors and volunteers have helped more than 50 local students become U.S. citizens, the library said. Library staff and several speakers emphasized that the library provides language and civic-education services, and that USCIS performs official status verification during the application process.

What’s next: The council’s motion to reconsider puts the grant back on the agenda for formal action at a future point once the requested documentation and clarifications are provided to the council. The transcript does not record a final decision on awarding the grant on Feb. 3.