Plainfield Library Honors First Cardholder for Passing U.S. Citizenship Test Using Library Resources

PLAINFIELD – The Plainfield Public Library Board of Trustees recently honored Lourdes Hernandez for becoming the first Library cardholder to pass the U.S. citizenship test after using Library resources, including the Library’s citizenship test kit and peer tutoring program.

Originally from Mexico, Hernandez’s tutors Luz Tenzer and Ilse Rios helped her focus on vocabulary, English comprehension relevant to U.S. history, government (civics) and everyday conversations. All cardholders can request a tutor from the Library, but they will need to take an initial English proficiency test so tutors can be more informed on how to help them.

The citizenship test includes writing, reading comprehension and an oral component. It is necessary for prospective citizens to have basic conversation skills so that they can understand what their testing officer is asking.

Library citizenship kits include a book with 100 basic questions, an audio CD, flash cards, and more. Multiple kits are available for cardholders to check out.

In addition to citizenship kits and the peer tutoring program, the Library also offers English as a Second Language clubs that help participants with conversation skills, reading and grammar. Anyone from any country and any learning level is welcome.

For more information about ESL clubs or the citizenship resources at the Library, please visit www.plainfieldpubliclibrary.org or call Tania Hess at 815-263-8145. Se habla español.

For more on the citizenship test, visit www.uscis.gov.

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