Public Library of Enid and Garfield County to Offer Free U.S. Citizenship Classes

In an effort to help foreign-born community members, the Public Library of Enid and Garfield County will begin offering free weekly U.S. citizenship classes starting Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 5:30 p.m. These weekly classes aim to assist students in preparing for the naturalization test and interview.

The course will cover historical and cultural information relevant to the test, focusing on reading, writing, and civics. The classes are designed for adults who have already obtained legal permanent residency, are comfortable with English, and are preparing for the exam.

While most U.S. citizens are born in the country, a path to naturalization is available for foreign-born residents. This process can be challenging, especially for those whose native language is not English. However, the benefits of U.S. citizenship are substantial and impactful.

According to the latest U.S. Census data, Enid has a higher-than-average population of foreign-born residents, with 7.9% of the city’s population being foreign-born, compared to the statewide average of 6.1%.

The library has offered these classes since 2018. That year, 41 students from five countries attended at least one class session, with 13 completing the 12-week series. To date, 44 students have completed the class, with many achieving citizenship.

Classes will be held weekly at the Public Library of Enid and Garfield County and are free of charge, thanks to the Friends of the Library of Enid, OK.

For more information, contact Program and Development Coordinator Margo Holmes at mholmes@enid.org or at 580-616-7183.

About the Enid Public Library:

The Enid Public Library is a vibrant community hub dedicated to providing free access to materials and services in a variety of formats while reflecting community standards to meet the informational and recreational needs of the community. The Library promotes freedom of thought, literacy, a love for reading, and lifelong learning.