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Bartlesville Public Library Literacy Services is celebrating 10 years offering citizenship and ELL (English Language Learners) conversation classes to local ELL learners. During this time, BPLLS has helped 45 immigrants become U.S. citizens, Literacy Coordinator Cheryl Dorris said this week.

"The citizenship and ELL conversation classes continue to be available to the Washington County community thanks to a $14,000 Immigration and Citizenship grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered through the Oklahoma Department of Libraries," Dorris said. “Even though this is a volunteer program, these funds are vital to our ability to offer quality literacy services to our community."

Ivonne Leap teaches the citizenship and ELL conversation classes at the Bartlesville Public Library. Leap, originally from Mexico, attended the BPL Literacy Services citizenship classes as a student and became a U.S. citizen in 2017.

"She knows firsthand how overwhelming the process can be for non-native English speakers," Dorris said. "She strives to make the process less daunting and more manageable for those seeking U.S. citizenship."

BPL Literacy Services is a volunteer-based program that provides free literacy instruction to adults who want to improve their reading and writing skills, as well as learn English and become U.S. citizens. In addition to the citizenship and ELL conversation classes, adult learners can work one-to-one with a trained tutor using a variety of teaching methods and materials.

Citizenship classes are offered on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the Literacy Services office, located on the second floor of the Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone Ave.

ELL Conversation classes are offered on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 11 a.m. in the Literacy Services office. An ELL Conversation class is usually offered at Casa Hispana on Tuesdays at 6:45 p.m.; however, this class currently meets at BPL because the Casa Hispana building suffered tornado damage.

For more information about BPL Literacy Services, or to find out how to volunteer, contact Cheryl Dorris at 918-338-4179.