City Council votes 2-2 on grant to fund salary; measure fails
In a 2-2 vote on Monday, the City Council rejected grant funding used for the past 11 years to fund the salary of the Bartlesville Public Library’s immigration/citizenship literacy assistant.
The move puts into question the continuation of programs aimed at helping Bartlesville residents obtain citizenship, in addition to learning English and other languages.
Two of the council’s newest members, Tim Sherrick of Ward 1 and Larry East of Ward 2, declined to accept the grant, which is administered by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, unless a stipulation was included that the City begin requiring participants to show proof that they are in the U.S. legally.
Mayor Jim Curd and Vice Mayor Trevor Dorsey voted in favor of accepting the grant; however, Ward 4 Councilor Aaron Kirkpatrick was not able to attend the meeting, resulting in a tie vote on the issue. In cases of a tie, the measure fails.
The $14,000 grant funds the salary of a part-time Library staff member who teaches the citizenship classes in addition to English and Spanish learning classes. The division also provides in-person onsite and offsite health literacy programs and weekly in-person and virtual literacy classes.
It is anticipated that losing the position could impact a large number of the nearly 100 active learners currently enrolled in the Library’s literacy programs.
FAQs
Why can’t Bartlesville Public Library just verify immigration status before offering these services?
Two reasons: Because the Oklahoma Department of Libraries administers the grant and therefore the Bartlesville Public Library cannot add stipulations to their grant requirements. And because this verification requires special equipment and training that Bartlesville Public Library and staff do not have.
Are citizenship tests being given to people who may be in the U.S. illegally?
It is important to note that Bartlesville Public Library does not administer the test for citizenship. This is done at the Tulsa offices of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, which verifies immigration status before anyone can apply for and take the citizenship test.
Is there another way to fund this salary?
Options to fund this individual’s salary through the City’s operating budget are being explored.
Is there someone else who can administer the classes?
At this time, City staff are unaware of other language/citizenship classes offered free of charge in Bartlesville or the surrounding area.
Can Bartlesville residents just go to Tulsa for these services?
While Tulsa is presumably the nearest location that offers these services, it is a county library system that serves a community of 600,000 people. It is unlikely that Bartlesville residents would be accepted into their program due to the sheer volume of need in a community that size, and because Bartlesville residents do not pay taxes in Tulsa County and are therefore not legally served by its library system.
View the meeting HERE or at www.cityofbartlesville.org.
Updates to this story will be made as more information becomes available.