Sonoma County Library Launches Educational Citizenship Collection

By Kat Gore

Are you or is someone in your life interested in American citizenship? Sonoma County Library’s “New American Collection” officially launched in all 12 branches on September 17, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. This collection serves those interested in citizenship, civics and naturalization, primarily the immigrant population of Sonoma County.

The purpose of the New American Collection is to empower community members by providing easily browsable, multilingual, multimedia materials in support of acquiring citizenship and learning English.

“The County of Sonoma continues our commitment to be a safe and inclusive community,” said Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chair David Rabbitt. “We applaud the library’s efforts to put together the New American Collection aimed at informing all of our residents about civics and paths to citizenship.”

By including these resources in one collection, the library will work to provide anyone interested with relevant information to help them gain and secure civil rights and participate more fully in their communities. Nationwide, slightly more than half of the immigrants are non-citizens. Native-born citizens may also benefit from the collection by learning about their rights and privileges as citizens, especially those with friends, family, or coworkers who are non-citizens.

The New American Collection includes materials in English, Spanish and other world languages. Materials include books, CDs, DVDs and more. Resources will be circulating and/or freely given away. Example titles include: “U.S. Immigration Made Easy,” “How to Get a Green Card” and “Fiancé & Marriage Visas.”

To learn more about the New American Collection, visit your local library branch. The New American Collection is free and available to all. Materials can be checked out with a Sonoma County Library card, which is available to all county residents, regardless of immigration status. For more information on how to sign up for a library card, visit any Sonoma County Library branch in person or go to.www.sonomalibrary.org.