Homeschoolers are power library users! Families come to me with whole swaths of the non-fiction section and a cheeky, “We’re going to read all of these this week.” Other homeschooling families come to me with more vulnerable questions. For every homeschooler super reader, there is a child who is far behind in reading, exploring topics beyond their caregivers’ understanding, or in need of peer socialization.
Libraries can do more to support these families through targeted programming. Here is a glimpse at the homeschool program developed at my library and how it has evolved to support off-site field trips and in-library meetings.
The Homeschool Dilemma
Homeschool programs aren’t always a no-brainer. Library workers are sometimes reluctant to allocate time and resources for two big reasons:
Personal Ethics
Library workers are concerned that, for some children, homeschooling can be ineffective and harmful. Across the country, there are lax curriculum requirements. Many popular curricula and textbooks are laden with factual inaccuracies and exclusionary rhetoric.
Access
These families often already attend library programs and fully utilize library resources. Why should we create special programs for these groups when they already participate in existing programs?
Regardless of your personal stance on homeschooling and its efficacy, if you have homeschoolers in your community, you should create opportunities to connect those families with library resources. These children benefit from a guided introduction to online resources and media literacy, socialization with peers, and the development of relationships with trusted adults outside the home.
Where to Begin
Homeschooling is an umbrella term that encompasses co-ops, hybrid learning, and other approaches. Homeschoolers often come from families with multiple children across a wide age range. Getting to know the homeschool families you serve can help clarify what is needed and most common in your community.
I asked our Teen Librarian to collaborate on a program so we could offer it to all ages. This allowed families to attend without worrying about care for their youngest.
At our first meeting, we focused on library materials and resources, and collected topics of interest to families. Each month, we’d explore one of these topics through activities geared towards ages 0-5, 5-10, and 10-18. While the program was well-received, the prep was considerable! We received feedback that families wanted more in-depth science activities. We weren’t equipped to provide content at that level.
Evolving Homeschool Programming
Who could relieve the burden of heavy prep and bring in more knowledge? Our community partners and organizations!
I reached out to organizations with education staff. Organizations like the Audubon Society and Astronomers’ Guilds often offer free lessons in schools and are happy to do the same for libraries. Manipulatives and hands-on activities were a must. It was hit!
As I connected with more organizations, many shared that they could only host programs at their locations.
Moving Outside
Offering more field trip experiences was a dream of mine, but I had concerns about equity and access. Our library was unable to transport families to off-site locations.
Here, waiting was a benefit. We’d had time to get to know our regular families. They all drove to the library for our program and were happy to carpool.
Since expanding beyond our building, we’ve been able to read to dogs, explore art museums, touch tidal creatures, weed farm plots, and visit water treatment plants, amongst other activities. Families love these trips, especially those that take place outdoors. Homeschoolers often go on to volunteer or regularly visit partner sites.
Adaptability is Key
We still regularly host in the library and have months where we can’t line up presenters. Sometimes we fall back on the goal of simply creating socialization time, offering simple crafts. Families are grateful for a space to connect as much as they’re thankful for novel experiences and learning opportunities.
This program has evolved in response to our community, taking into account the time constraints of our small staff. Other libraries engage homeschoolers with a focus on career connections, multi-week projects, or simply special resource request forms.
Reach out to this part of your community and see what you can build together!
Eleanor Howell-Shryock (she/they) is the Head Children’s Librarian, managing family and outreach services at Burlington Public Library in Burlington, Washington. They are the Chair Emeritus of the Washington Library Association’s Children and Young Adult Services Section. They are excited to highlight some of the unique challenges and opportunities of working in small and rural libraries for the ALSC blog.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
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Anna Melvin
Love this article. I’ve started to have a few more questions from families who home school in my area, and would love to be able to offer them more programming and resources. This is a great place for me to start my planning!