Over the past two months branches all across The New York Public Library system have been meeting and developing programs for patrons who are eager to become United States citizens. Now, patrons have the opportunity to join a virtual citizenship study group to prepare for the civics portion of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Naturalization Test.

Patrons who would like to register for a virtual citizenship study group should visit this link, choose the program of their liking, and follow the registration instructions. A program administrator will then email participants Google Meet invites for the upcoming study group sessions. Participants will need an internet connection and either a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone in order to view the presentation and hear the discussion.

The Bronx Library Center currently hosts an interactive weekly study group on Wednesdays from 2 - 3 pm that delves into the 128 questions that participating patrons must study in order to prepare for the USCIS civics test. Patrons can expect to learn about the following topics:

• the founding of the United States

• the three branches of the U.S. government

• democratic ideas and principles

• Reconstruction and the Civil War

• the civil rights and suffrage movements,

• important U.S. dates and key events

Additionally, here are some of the other New York Public Library branches currently offering study group programs online:

• Belmont branch and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center

• Ottendorfer branch

• Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library

• Washington Heights branch

For more information about joining a virtual citizenship study group please feel free to contact Herbert Norat at herbertnorat@nypl.org.