Last June, several persons identified as being employees and patrons of Denver's public library system complained to U.S. Representative Tom Tancredo, that the Denver Public Library had embarked on a plan to convert some of its branch libraries in to "Spanish only" libraries.

Among the concerns was that English speaking books would be reduced to a very small percentage, and moved to the "back of the library", and that librarians who were not bilingual with Spanish, would not receive career advancements.

Tancredo, who doesn't represent Denver, but represents the cities and communities lying just south of it, wrote a letter to the Mayor of Denver asking for specifics.

The Mayor responded a few days later with help from City Librarian Rick Ashton. The response pretty much denied any such plans existed. Ashton did however admit that the Library is seeking to expand its services to spanish-speaking persons, in a plan dubbed "Libraries and Learning", noting that Spanish is spoken in 20% of Denver households. Aside from that, Ashton's response made the complaints from library employees and patron seem completely contradictory.

But this public exchange between Tancredo and the Mayor brought the "Libraries and Learning" plan into the national stage. Articles from the Washington Post and other english-only organizations have brought criticism to the Denver Public Library.

Had Tancredo decided not to get involved with the City of Denver, it would have never reached the national forum. Obviously, the library employees and patrons who had initially complained to Tancredo knew that he was outspoken against illegal immigration, and used him for this reason.

Congressman Diana DeGette, the Democrat who represents Denver, told Tancredo to mind his own business and stay out of her district, in a letter published in the Denver Post.

The "Libraries and Learning" plan would convert seven branch libraries into learning centers for spanish-speaking persons. The Denver Public Library is already recruiting spanish-speaking volunteers. Ashton seems to portray these learning centers as places where spanish-speakers can learn English. However, critics note that these learning centers are giving spanish-speakers a reason not to learn English. Meanwhile, libraries argue that libraries have always been a resource for immigrants.