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Aug 23
    FeaturedInstructional Strategies

Not Back to School: 5 Ways Libraries Can Help Homeschooling Families

August 23, 2021
Mother and son in homeschooling family

As summer comes to an end, families prepare for their children to begin a new year of school learning. But what does this mean for homeschooling families? How can libraries support families who do school-at-home? All of the basic offerings of libraries—facilities, services, programs, and materials—can be targeted toward homeschoolers, and homeschoolers can take advantage of what libraries are already doing. Here are a few ideas.

Displays

Put out a big display of educational books, CDs, and videos that appeal to homeschoolers. Nonfiction books of all kinds are of value to homeschoolers, but some series like The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer and Life of Fred by Stanley F. Schmidt are very popular. Fiction is popular for general literacy, and especially for families who do literature-based learning. The Travels with Wyatt & Gannon series by Patti Wheeler is a fictional series based loosely upon the lives of two real, current-day homeschooled boys. Be sure to include some how-to-homeschool books, as well. What elements can you add to your display to make it interactive and increase engagement?

Number of Holds

How many holds/reserves are your patrons allowed to have at one time? My library system allows a maximum of seven, which is just not enough for homeschooling families. Even if each family member has a card, these customers report that is not enough. Consider increasing the number of holds you allow your customers to have.

Programs

Homeschoolers love library programs, such as storytime. They also like programs like geography club, LEGO robotics, learning to sew, coding, and pretty much anything that enriches curriculum, teaches a skill, or provides a social opportunity. If your library cannot do inside or in-person programs at this time, consider doing storytime on the lawn or in a neighborhood park. Or do live book clubs or other programming through Zoom or Teams. 

Kits

Some libraries circulate microscopes, chemistry sets, scales, math manipulatives, laptop computers, kitchen equipment, board games, and other nontraditional materials. It is a bit unrealistic for a family to buy all this kind of equipment, so being able to borrow it from a library is very helpful.

Curriculum Petting Zoos

One overwhelming aspect of homeschooling is selecting the appropriate curriculum for one’s child. There are many choices and the prices vary. Sometimes it takes trying more than one curriculum before a family finds one that best fits their needs, which can be expensive. Having a reference/noncirculating curriculum petting zoo allows families to explore options before buying. Having circulating sets of curricula is highly valued, as well. 

See also:

  • Public Library Programs for the Homeschool Community: Webinar
  • Homeschooling Top Five: A Few Things for Public Libraries to Know about Homeschoolers
  • Learning at Home: Public Library Resources for Homeschooling Families: Webinar
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About The Author

Rebecca Rich-Wulfmeyer has worked professionally in libraries, archives, and museums. She has been a manuscripts curator, special librarian, youth librarian, and reference librarian. In her current role, she manages the Yarborough Branch of the Austin Public Library. Plus, she and her husband homeschool their teenage son.
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