Group 5: Homework Help

& TutoringBy: Jenny Pepiton, Lexie Cowgill, Seth

Perkins, Kirstin Mandalay, Steven Baglin

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 selfesteem 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 ProgramsIn personOnlineMobile“Explorer Bookmobile”

Role of staff/ volunteers“Tutoring” vs. homework helpQualifications of volunteers/ staffCommunity partners

Recruiting VolunteersLevel of commitmentMatching skillsScreening

ManagementSupervisor rolePromotion/ Marketing/ OutreachEvaluationFunding

Virtual vs. OnsitePros/ ConsOutsourcing (Brainfuse)Chat/ SMS (Mosio)

Physical Space/ SuppliesWorking with your spaceSet-upNumbersUsing library materialsCrayons, pencils, erasers, oh my!

Hardware: Simple Necessities•Pencils/Pens•Paper•Rulers, protractors, etc…

Hardware: TechnologyComputersDesktop and/or LaptopPhotocopierPrinterScientific CalculatorsInternet capabilities

Software: ApplicationsMicrosoft suite or Macintosh OSX softwareWord processing capabilitiesPowerPoint/KeynoteExcel/NumbersPhoto editingGoogle EarthEducational activities/resources    -Discovery Education Homework Help Online

Collection Needs: Reference Materials Printed and Digital Sources

ThesaurusDictionaryEncyclopediaTopic specific resourcesLanguage Arts, Social Studies, Math, Science, etc...

Collection Needs: Research Resources

Online Public Catalog or Card CatalogOnline Search EnginesOnline databasesEbscoHost, Gale, etc…E-booksCompact DiscsDVD’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

A Successful Case Study by Kirstin

Mandalay

Hayward, CaliforniaMedian household income: $61,268

12.5% of the population live below poverty line.

Given to communities who have distressed

urban or rural neighborhoods to provide

“cradle to college to career” support.

Promise Neighborhoods Grant

Hayward Public Library Homework Help Program

Begun in 2009Lindsey 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 assignmentsAnd more: research, reference help, developing communication skills needed for success.

At the Main branch and Weekes Branch:Monday-Wednesday 3:30-5:30pm

Thursday 3-5pm

Homework Help Program at the Hayward Public Library

Students:

Free program, drop in anytimeFill out form: age, school, grade level, subject for tutoringAssigned a tutor by site supervisorTesting to track progress: 3rd and 10th visits

Tutors:Recruiting Tutors:

Extensive Advertising:In library and on library websiteVolunteer match websiteLocal colleges: education or service programsChiefly adult volunteers

Application Process:Applicants fill out an applicationIn-person interview with directorFingerprint and background check with Hayward Police Department

* 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.

Tutors:

Homework Help SuppliesLaptop 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:

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 This Year to date0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Students

Students

Expansion Project: in school

Homework Help Center in

2011Longwood Elementary School

Future PlansChromebooks! 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.

Case Study: Carson City

Public Library

Online Tutoring Program through Brainfuse

Program BackgroundCurrent 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 ComputersServices 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 StaffingTutors and StaffingTrained and Certified by BrainFuseBackground and Reference-CheckedMust Possess 4-year DegreeMust have Prior Teaching/Tutoring ExperienceAll Tutors US-BasedOnsite Library Staffing Need–Outreach–Marketing–Evaluation

Outreach and MarketingPresentation Visits to Area Schools: KEY TO SUCCESS!Press ReleasesMarketing 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 SourceProgram Funded through Book BudgetGrants Supplement Book Budget    -Audio-Video Materials    -PlayawaysAllows Portion of Book Budget to Support Program

Keys to Successful Homework/Tutoring Programs

Continuous Outreach and Partnering with Area SchoolsAdequate Funding through Grants and/or DonationsContinuous Evaluation of EffectivenessPassionate Staff and Volunteer Support

ReferencesA 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.