Taken From National Home Education Network (Back to Top) http://www.nhen.org/librarian/default.asp?id=1983

What Homeschoolers Want From Libraries

Space is a frequently mentioned need - meeting rooms, study rooms, use of whatever space is possible to obtain at zero or very low cost. Homeschoolers often engage in cooperative learning activities and would very much appreciate the opportunity to use library space. Homeschoolers often find it necessary to meet outdoors, in public parks, which makes some kinds of activities difficult and also forces cancellation of activities due to poor weather conditions.

Family-oriented programs and activities are often preferred by homeschoolers, rather than grade-level or age-level based. The homeschooled kids are used to working in multi-age environments and they are comfortable that way. It is more convenient for parents and is more "natural" and allows older children to lend a hand or serve as role models for the younger ones. Libraries can find out from the homeschoolers in their area whether or not there are specific activities or programs that they’d like to participate in during the day. These might range from family read-aloud times to book discussion clubs for teens.

Volunteer opportunities for homeschooling families to provide services to the library itself can be provided. Some libraries have age limits for volunteer work, but if they are willing to waive those age limites, homeschooling families can be a great resource and parents can supervise younger children’s work.

Access to technology such as internet services or other computer-based resources and the ability to use or borrow software such as educational games is appreciated by many homeschoolers. Although many homeschoolers have extensive computer resources in their own homes, there are also many who can’t afford computers and internet connections and educational software.

Support for academic needs as well as leisure reading is of interest to homeschoolers. This requires librarians to become informed about the types of learning resources or curriculum used by homeschoolers in their area and to determine what kinds of juvenile and young adult fiction and nonfiction materials would best serve their needs.

Video and audio tapes are frequently used by many homeschoolers. Many homeschoolers would be interested in tapes of PBS or other educational programs or instructional videos as well as high quality unabridged books on tape.

Extended borrowing periods and allowing families to check out more materials at one time can be very helpful to homeschooling families.

Homeschooling information can be offered by libraries, by providing folders or notebooks with information about state laws and names and addresses of home schooling organizations in the area. Resources specifically to help those just considering or beginning homeschooling are often needed.

State educational standards, courses of study, or curriculum guides can be made available in library reference sections.

Bibliographic information has been collected by some libraries to help homeschoolers find information when they are studying a specific subject.

Display space for homeschoolers to display art or science projects could be provided.

Science equipment could be provided on loan to homeschooling families.

Access to college and career information would be appreciated by homeschooling teens.

Library tours and information on the various library collections and any special services would be of interest to most homeschooling families.

Speakers on topics of interest to homeschooling parents could be arranged by libraries. These might include, for example, speakers on child development, learning theories, or lectures on specific academic subjects. Talks by experienced homeschoolers on subjects related specifically to homeschooling would also be appreciated.

Every week I gather with a group of pre-teen homeschooled boys at a table in the local public library for the editorial board meeting of their quarterly magazine, Dr. Information. Dr. Information features a regular column called "Dr. Information Prescribes." The boys come up with a topic, be it books, games, movies, music or places to go, and they brainstorm some of their favorites to list. The Spring 2001 issue’s topic was "Destinations" and in the midst of various fun spots such as local ski resorts, amusement parks, and bowling alleys, I heard a loud suggestion of "Robbins Library," followed by a chorus of agreement. No sarcasm here: the local public library is truly one of their favorite destinations. How’d it get to be that way? Well, these kids have been frequenting and enjoying the library for as long as they can remember.

The library is a gold mine for families engaged in home-based education. My own family visits frequently, and I’m on friendly terms with a healthy cross section of library employees. Our homeschooling support group has made great use of the free public space for all kinds of things over the years, including rehearsal space for play productions, meetings of small working groups like the editorial board of Dr. Information, regularly scheduled board game and craft days, annual events such as science and history fairs, and Valentine’s Day parties. This use of free public space is a great boon to homeschoolers.

In turn, our local library recognizes local homeschoolers as a valuable section of their clientele, and we’ve built up reciprocal relationships over the years. The children’s librarian sends the children’s room’s monthly newsletter to our homeschooling support group’s newsletter editor so that library events can be regularly listed. The librarians know that homeschoolers are enthusiastic participants in special programs.

Every year I set up a display in the lobby about homeschooling. I include a loose-leaf notebook of press clippings, information sheets for the taking, and a display of library books that can be checked out. The books get checked out fast-gratifying all parties.

I also make sure the reference and children’s librarians have up-to-date information about how to help people find out about state laws regarding homeschooling, as well as how to get in contact with local support groups. Homeschooling’s popularity is on the rise lately, and our efforts in the library are clearly appreciated by the general public, who are often referred to me by information they’ve found at the library.

A recent new relationship that’s sprouted between my family and the local public library is that of my son’s volunteering there. He helps the Young Adult librarian with routine and special projects. She is delighted with him, and he is delighted to be a part of the library team. He gets a kick out of the chance to inhabit "Staff Only" areas of this hallowed place and the chance to pore over more books, magazines and CDs than he’d probably ever think to look at otherwise. I’m happy that he is starting at an early age to use some of his time volunteering at a place he values, and there’s no better education for him in how to use the library than being guided by a knowledgeable librarian, who encourages him to help patrons himself.

There are many ways libraries can cultivate relationships with homeschoolers:

Extended borrowing privileges, like many teachers have, enable homeschoolers to delve into subjects to the depth they desire.

Library tours are of interest to many homeschoolers. Consider offering both tours that cover library basics, such as the availability and willingness of librarians to help and answer questions, as well as ones that explore hidden resources. One local library invited teens to submit reference questions to a librarian in advance. They then met at the library at a designated time with a reference librarian who showed them step-by-step, using various resources, how she’d found the answers to their queries.

Programs and opportunities for six- to fifteen-year-olds are greatly appreciated by homeschoolers. Libraries often have special programs for various segments of the population: preschoolers, shut-ins, young adults. In addition to joining in for activities scheduled during after school hours, librarians who have ventured to schedule programs during school hours have been rewarded by attendance of enthusiastic homeschoolers, who are participating because they have a genuine interest in the topic. One idea for such a program is to start a book club or literature-based history group, led either by a librarian or a knowledgeable member of the local community. This can turn out to be a mutually gratifying experience, both in terms of passing your knowledge to interested young people, and by really getting to know some of these kids who are able to visit the library during traditionally quiet times of the day.

Subscribing to a couple of good homeschooling magazines and the state homeschooling association’s newsletter is an easy way to support homeschoolers. As well as being a great resource for active homeschoolers, these periodicals provide information for many in the public who want to learn more about the home-education trend.

A recent article in Home Education Magazine1 describes a partnership between a public library and local homeschoolers that has resulted in a Homeschool Resource Center that the author describes as "a community-based learning Mecca!" By winning a grant for "New and Innovative Programs," the library was able to acquire four microscopes, two telescopes, math and science manipulatives, foreign language tapes and more. To assist patrons in finding materials, "a volunteer homeschool consultant is available several hours a week…within the

[Homeschool Resource Center]. Another group of volunteers assembled much of the library's historical fiction into a chronological list so that those wanting to find books about specific eras could find it more readily." Ideas like these can further libraries’ longstanding vision of supporting and encouraging all people in a community who desire to educate themselves.

The freedom of information that librarians hold dear dovetails nicely with homeschoolers’ thirst for knowledge. It’s a fortuitous match for both parties. Perhaps libraries’ path to the future can be lit by a symbiotic relationship with homeschoolers in their communities. By listening and responding to the needs of this library-loving segment of the population, and nurturing positive library experiences and relationships, librarians can foster fast and loyal friendships with homeschoolers. The end result will be to enrich entire communities and to help secure a role for libraries in a quickly changing world.

To find out about

Homeschooling laws in your state

Local and state homeschooling support and advocacy groups

Information gathered and organized specifically for librarians who wish to learn more about homeschooling

Visit the website of the National Home Education Network (NHEN) at www.nhen.org.

1 Kathy Wentz, "Homeschool Resource Center in a Public Library," Home Education Magazine, January/February 2002.

Taken From National Home Education Network - http://nhen.org/librarian/default.asp?id=238