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G2S Project Code: 2015-CT-75846
State: Connecticut
Fiscal Year: 2015
Grantee
FERGUSON LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Elizabeth Joseph and Yelena Klompus
Director Phone: 203-351-8224
Director Email: ejoseph@fergusonlibrary.org, yklompus@fergusonlibrary.org
General Information
Title: American Citizenship and Beyond - Ferguson
State Project Code:
Start Date: 07/01/2015
End Date: 06/30/2016
Abstract: "American Citizenship and Beyond" is a program created by the Ferguson Library in response to the needs of a growing multicultural community. Observation and statistics reveal that Stamford welcomes scores of new immigrants who hail from various parts of the world. In order to facilitate assimilation and realize citizenship, the library expanded its English language literacy offerings and began series of workshops and classes which position students on a path to citizenship. Students in the citizenship classes were formally assessed in language, civics and American history. Their progress was tracked throughout the course and further assistance was provided if needed. In addition to preparation for the exam, the library offered presentations and clinics in the processing and filing of naturalization applications. "American Citizenship and Beyond" has served over 125 people, several of whom surpassed expectations and became American citizens.

State Goal: Literacies and learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$7,475.00
$0.00
$8,350.00
$15,825.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.
Civic Affairs
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Classes
Narrative: The program consisted of three citizenship courses which lasted twelve weeks each. This intense program covered reading, writing, conversational English, American history, civics, citizenship application review, and mock citizenship interview scenarios. The courses were taught by seasoned instructors and educators who teach English language and history in their other professional roles.
 
In addition to the citizenship courses, the library also held three presentations on the citizenship process including filling out and filing the N-400 application. To supplement this, two local immigration attorneys held clinics for those who had further detailed questions about their naturalization applications.


Intent: Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 120
Number of sessions in program: 14
Average number in attendance per session: 9
Number of times program administered: 3


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: Yes
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: FERGUSON LIBRARY
Address: ONE PUBLIC LIBRARY PLAZA
City: STAMFORD
State: CT
Zip: 06904
Activity Details
Title: Library resources
Narrative: As a complement and supplement to the classes, the library increased its print holdings in citizenship resource materials and expanded its foreign language collection in the various world languages spoken by students enrolled in the program, including Chinese, Russian, Polish, and Spanish.  
 
The digital divide is a reality for many of the citizenship program participants. The library purchased portable DVD players and headphones so students without access to personal devices could view and take advantage of the citizenship lessons, interview techniques, and other content published on DVDs by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 
 
These resources became a part of the library's circulating collection and were available to all library patrons, not just class participants.


Intent: Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 12
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 200
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: FERGUSON LIBRARY
Address: ONE PUBLIC LIBRARY PLAZA
City: STAMFORD
State: CT
Zip: 06904
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
Students who participated in the citizenship programs attested to being more knowledgeable and confident of the citizenship process. They also asserted feeling more integrated in American life and stronger kinship with members of our community. Over 95% of the students have a better grasp of the English language and are working toward retaining the concepts in civics and American history. 20% of the students joined Let’s Talk, the library's weekly ESL/ELL conversational group gatherings.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
This project established that the library's citizenship programming is aligned with the needs of the community. "American Citizenship and Beyond" has become a core part of the library’s service deliverables. The program met the need of many in the Stamford community, a need which might not have been met elsewhere. This project further accomplished the mission of the library, which is to provide free and equal access to information, ideas, books, and technology to educate and enrich the Stamford community.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Review of Administrative Data
Interview/Focus Group
Participant Observation
Other
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:

Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
Yes: The Ferguson Library will partner with the Hartford Public Library for an initiative in which Hartford Library staff will mentor and prepare the Ferguson Library in creating and maintaining a citizenship resource center on par with Hartford's. This project is funded by a 2016 USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant.
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
Yes: See above.
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
No
Exemplary: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeFerguson Library offered an efficient and effective citizenship program that clearly met a need in its community and will be continued in future years. As a direct result of their participation in these citizenship classes, five students became citizens and three are in the process and plan to take the citizenship exam later in 2016.
Project Tags: New Americans, citizenship