The National City Public Library provides many resources for the community: from use of a computer for library members to a summer reading program that keeps students actively reading while they are out of school during summer break.
But a recent partnership with the Jewish Family Service of San Diego has put the library’s free U.S. Citizenship Classes as one of the most popular programs the library has to offer.
Two separate classes are offered, one for individuals wanting one-on-one tutoring, and another for people who prefer multi-student interaction in a classroom setting.
Currently 10 people are taking a 10-week, two-hour, twice a week citizenship class. A new session starts July 15 which is already filled to capacity. The library has their own tutors with the Jewish Family Service of San Diego also provides an instructor.
National City Library literacy coordinator Matt Boatman said the demographic of people taking citizenship classes at the National City Library are mainly Hispanic and some Filipino, reflective of the National City community.
“There’s been a very steady demand for citizenship, for people taking a step from being legal residents to getting full citizenship,” he said “So we’re doing our best to meet that demand.”
Anyone can take the library’s citizenship classes, it’s not limited to National City residents, Boatman said.
The classes help prepare individuals to take the U.S. Citizenship 100 questions test with practice questions, study guides and other useful material.
Applying to take the citizenship test costs about $700 for two attempts. If someone does not pass on two tries they will have to reapply and pay the $700 again, Boatman said. But there are fee waivers that people are encouraged to sign up for.
To pass the 100 question test that the federal government has established, students must know questions about the government and American history. They will be asked questions like: “Who is one of your senators? Who is the president? What are the three branches of government? How long is the president elected for?”
Other than helping prepare for the test, the classes do not help with the process of registering for the citizenship test.
“We don’t help them with the legal aspects of it, filling out the citizenship forms and whatnot,” said Boatman.
Boatman said the library refers people to other organizations such as Catholic Charities to assit with paperwork.
To register for any one of these citizenship classes call (619) 420-5800 or stop by the second level of library.
