Homework Help &
Tutoring
Programs throughout the
country
Helping “At Risk” kids
After School Program
Familiarizes them with
the tools the library has
to offer
"Many of our regulars were
failing or close to failing their
classes. Now they have
improved grades and self
esteem and are beginning
college search process. At the
start, they say they would not
have even considered college
as an option."
— Bethel Park Public Library
Types of Programs
In person
Online
Mobile
“Explorer Bookmobile”
Role of staff/ volunteers
“Tutoring” vs. homework help
Qualifications of volunteers/ staff
Community partners
Recruiting Volunteers
Level of commitment
Matching skills
Screening
Management
Supervisor role
Promotion/ Marketing/ Outreach
Evaluation
Funding
Virtual vs. Onsite
Pros/ Cons
Outsourcing (Brainfuse)
Chat/ SMS (Mosio)
Physical Space/ Supplies
Working with your space
Set-up
Numbers
Using library materials
Crayons, pencils, erasers, oh my!
Hardware: Simple
Necessities
•Pencils/Pens
•Paper
•Rulers, protractors, etc…
Hardware: Technology
Computers
Desktop and/or Laptop
Photocopier
Printer
Scientific Calculators
Internet capabilities
Software: Applications
Microsoft suite or Macintosh OSX software
Word processing capabilities
PowerPoint/Keynote
Excel/Numbers
Photo editing
Google Earth
Educational activities/resources
-Discovery Education Homework Help Online
Collection Needs: Reference
Materials Printed and Digital
Sources
Thesaurus
Dictionary
Encyclopedia
Topic specific resources
Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, Science,
etc...
Collection Needs: Research
Resources
Online Public Catalog or Card Catalog
Online Search Engines
Online databases
EbscoHost, Gale, etc…
E-books
Compact Discs
DVD’s
Funding and Budgeting
•Federal Grants
•Library Services and Technology Act
•U.S. Department of Education “Promise Neighborhood”
•State Grants
•State (e.g. Maryland) Library Partnership and State Department of
Education
-Local Community Help/Donations: Willmar, MN.
-Money
-Materials
-Budgeting: Carson City, NV
-Allocation of monetary assistance from other and often related
budgets
Hayward Public Library
Homework Help Program
Begun in 2009
Lindsey Vien, MLIS, director of the program (L.
Vien, personal interview, October 19, 2012).
Designed to meet the needs of students, K-12
How to do homework assignments
And more: research, reference help, developing
communication skills needed for success.
Homework Help Program at the
Hayward Public Library
At the Main branch and Weekes Branch:
Monday-Wednesday 3:30-5:30pm
Thursday 3-5pm
Students:
Free program, drop in anytime
Fill out form: age, school, grade level, subject
for tutoring
Assigned a tutor by site supervisor
Testing to track progress: 3rd and 10th visits
Tutors:
Recruiting Tutors:
Extensive Advertising:
In library and on library
website
Volunteer match
website
Local colleges:
education or service
programs
Chiefly adult volunteers
Application Process:
Applicants fill out an
application
In-person interview with
director
Fingerprint and
background check with
Hayward Police
Department
Tutors:
* Observe current tutors in action for training.
* Goal: help students learn how to find the answers.
* Consider the whole student’s needs: supplies,
organization skills, actual level of learning (above or
below assignment), etc.
Homework Help Supplies
Laptop computer Lab
Essential Supplies:
Paper, Pens, Pencils,
Binders, Folders.
Scientific and regular
calculators.
Class calendar to keep
track of assignments.
Reference Books.
Progress Report:
Number of non-duplicated students each
year at Central and Weekes Branch Library
Homework Help Centers:
Students
1200
1000
800
600
Students
400
200
0
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
This Year to
date
Future Plans
Chromebooks!
Expansion:
Partnering with
School Board to
provide Homework
Help Centers in
the lowest
performing
schools.
Secrets to Success:
Funding through grants.
Tracking student attendance, progress, and
improvement to demonstrate the program’s
effectiveness.
Partnering with the city for funding and reporting
progress and data.
Partnering with the school district and reporting
progress and data. Formulating expansion
programs with the schools.
Librarian director with a passion for education and
an understanding of what is needed to run a
successful homework help program.
Program Background
Current BrainFuse Program Started in 2010 by
Youth Services Librarian Amber Sady
- Side-by-Side Comparison: BrainFuse vs.
Tutor.com
- Comparison Funded by Technology Grant
Survey of Users Preferred BrainFuse 55% to
45%
What is Brainfuse?
Live Tutoring Available: 1-10pm Daily
–Via Internet from Anywhere using Library Card
- Physical Space at Library: 2 Dedicated Homework Computers
Services Offered
–Live Tutoring in Math, Science, Reading/Writing, Social Studies,
PSAT/SAT, ACT, and AP
–24 Hour Writing Lab
–24/7 Homework Question Center
–Skills Building
Tutors and Staffing
Tutors and Staffing
Trained and Certified by BrainFuse
Background and Reference-Checked
Must Possess 4-year Degree
Must have Prior Teaching/Tutoring Experience
All Tutors US-Based
Onsite Library Staffing Need
–Outreach
–Marketing
–Evaluation
Outreach and Marketing
Presentation Visits to Area Schools: KEY TO
SUCCESS!
Press Releases
Marketing on Youth and Teen Websites
Program Ongoing
Evaluation
Monthly Statistics Reports from BrainFuse
–Number of Users
–Subjects Requested
–Post-session Survey Results Including Patron
Comments if Given
Funding Source
Program Funded through Book Budget
Grants Supplement Book Budget
-Audio-Video Materials
-Playaways
Allows Portion of Book Budget to Support
Program
Keys to Successful
Homework/Tutoring
Programs
Continuous Outreach and Partnering with Area
Schools
Adequate Funding through Grants and/or
Donations
Continuous Evaluation of Effectiveness
Passionate Staff and Volunteer Support
References
A closer look at homework help at public libraries reveals success and great potential.
(2007). Pennsylvania Library Association Bulletin, 62(7), 18-19.
Cofer, S., Dwyer, J., Harold, S., Pechacek, A., Peterson, K., & Ryan, S. (2007). Homework
Help Is a Click Away. Young Adult Library Services, 5(2), 17-20.
Johnson County Library Offers Homework Assistance. (2006). Public Libraries, 45(2), 17.
Vanderwerf, L. (2011, Feb 18). Library program offers students homework assistance.
McClatchy - Tribune Business News.
Wagoner, M. T. (2005). Help Online. Texas Library Journal, 81(4), 136-139.
Rogers, M. (2002). Md pl's live homework help. Library Journal,127(16), 30.
Staff. (2005). Part of the solution. Library Journal, 13029.