Hello everyone, My name is Leslie and I'm a brand spankin new children's librarian in Delaware. I've tried to no avail to join local homeschooling groups to no avail and I stumbled upon this site. There are several things I would like to do for homeschool parent/teachers and children. First of which is a program geared towards homeschooled children. Second, upon my boss's approval, I'd like to start a homeschool resource center. There are probably many more ideas that will come to me in the middle of the night. We would like to better serve the homeschool community and any advice would be appreciated. I'm not only a librarian, but also a mom to a beautiful 17 month old boy. My husband and I have discussed homeschooling as an option when that time comes. Thank you for your time. Leslie
Welcome, Leslie! I must say that the library I attend has absolutely awesome librarians! They do a tremendous job! I really consider them essential in my children's education. A homeschool resource center would be a really cool idea. I would start by seeing if your library would buy curriculum. There's lots of stuff out there, and I personally can make a decision better if I can actually get hold of the material and see how it works. The library system near me has some curriculum. Many times I have checked something out that "everyone" loves and either gone on to buy it, or decided it simply was NOT for me! So many things I would have wasted money on if I had bought it before checking it out! Literataure Guides would be nice. Also, a topical book list, both fiction and non-fiction. For example, right now my children are studying Africa. It would save me so much trouble to find a book list on Africa, rather than going all over coming up with one, especially for fiction. If you're thinking about non-print, math manipulatives might be a go. Also, a hot roll laminator. I know when I was in college, we would pay so much per foot. Or book discussions geared toward older children DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. Those are what I am thinking of right off the top of my head.
It occurs to me that some books by homeschoolers would be wonderful, too. David and Micki Colfax, as well as some by the Moores (Better Late than Early, and others), and John Holt's books, and The Marva Collins Way (not necessarily homeschool, but definitely alternative education!), and a bunch of other books I can't remember right now. John Taylor Gatto's books. http://www.leapingfromthebox.com/hs/unschoolbooks.html and http://learninfreedom.org/recommended_books.html
Our local homeschool community recently placed binders in each branch of our library. They are chocked full of information about local homeschool groups and events. This is our fourth year, but I still found tons of stuff that I didn't know existed in our city! There are sections for Co-op information (each group has a one-page summary with contact information), businesses that give discounts to homeschoolers, field trip ideas, Current events, etc. They are sectioned off in a HUGE 3" 3 ring binder.
12 years ago, I lived in Alton, IL and their library was incredibly homeschool friendly. They had a separate children's library and had tons of resources for homeschoolers.....magazines, books, etc. about homeschooling. They also had these boxes that you checked out....like unit studies...with all the harder to find supplies, and a booklet included. I thought that was pretty neat. My first born had just made her appearance and we moved out of the area before I started schooling her......but I use that library as a measure for all others....and none have measured up.
Oh yeah, we've got those studies-in-a-bag, too. And I tell you what, they are SO useful. We've also got a separate education shelf that is mostly full of homeschool materials (not curriculum, just books about homeschooling and such).
I think this is wonderful. Our library system has homeschool subject kits that are made up of various books, videos, cds and what not on a variety of subjects. I know that they got a grant to set those up. There are ones on reading, math, all types of history, art, music, just about everything. Some of the libraries in our area do an introduction to how to use the library for homeschoolers. I am hoping that they set one up this year since dd is old enough to get it now. You could do things like reading groups or educational events/movies that are done during the day and geared just for homeschoolers. You could do a curriculum share night in the spring for parents to come and share and learn about the curriculum out there. I know you said you could not join a local group but maybe contact a few of them and see if there is anything specific that they would like to see locally.
The biggest thing is going to be your attitude. So many hs'ers are suspicious of those who are not "one of us". Even here, we get well-meaning folk who has all these ideas, but often it comes across as "I'm a professional, and here's what I can do for you peons who don't know a thing at all...." (And, for the record, that is NOT how you came across here, or we would have just ignored you!) So you have to be VERY CAREFUL how you word things and ask. For example, my husband (a ps teacher) wanted to offer computer classes to hs'ed kids one evening a week. One lady called up asking about it, but was being very cautious. Why would a ps teacher want to work with hs kids? So I explained that we had been hs'ing for five years, and that's all the farther I got. "OH! So YOU are a hs'ing family...?" And right away, my husband was ok, lol!
I see there is still only one post listed. I hope you return and gather these ideas. There is a wealth of information here and some wonderful people.
This posting could be something that all of us homeschoolers could use. Compose a list, then take it to our local libraries and see if they could incorporate these ideas into our libraries. So far I like the ideas listed
We would love to see activities for the kids during the school day. We would enjoy movies based on a book, reading clubs, science or history themed activities or a craft. Oh and maybe even a 'Tutor Time' where someone could answer math questions that we have.
Ohh, I like that idea, Jackie. How 'bout even allowing the older kids to 'work' at the library for an hour or so a week. They could file books and such?
I know in Ohio, teens need Community Service hours to graduate. (And actually, they are VERY easy to get; they'll count just about ANYTHING!). Now, hs'ed kids don't "need" them, but it's nice to have. This would be a perfect way to get them!
