Chicago Public Library Home Work Help Model

Top Libraries In US

Majority of public libraries in the US have either an online or offline version of homework assistance. For example, in rural locations libraries give students access to high-speed internet that they are unable to find at home which helps in completing their assigned homework. Some libraries have an after-school program that designates a particular tutor or assistant (who has volunteered) to students. These instructors give personalized help to children in school assignments. One such model, which has seen incredible success, is utilized by the Public Library of Chicago.

The program called Teacher in the Library has an undergraduate student from the University of Illinois located at Chicago acting as an instructor for school students. The undergraduate student gains teaching experience through the program and gets college credits that are considered in their teaching certification. The school going students get help and guidance in completing their homework. The program began with funding from the Chicago Public Library Foundation. Today, the famous model has been incorporated in more than 55 branches of the library.

Other universities in other cities of the country would benefit a lot by emulating the Teacher in the Library program and so would primary education students.

Challenges of Finding Adequate Homework Help

Challenges of Finding Adequate Homework Help

For some librarians, the reference material they provide to children is adequate enough to be considered as a homework centre. For others, a collection of computers that have the entire curriculum is sufficient. But the reality is that the right homework help can only be given by an adult. Without a volunteer or a staff member, students are not motivated to complete their work. A peer or an adult is needed by most young children to keep them on track. Furthermore, there some problems that can only be solved through human supervision like validation and motivation to succeed.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of challenges when it comes to staffing for homework assistance. Maintaining volunteer or paid workforce that is more than enough to handle a large number of students who come to a library to finish homework is near impossible. Libraries do not have the budget to hire even part-time employees that can help school going children with their work. Another issue is that libraries do not have the power or time first to recruit and then train volunteers that may act as homework assistants. These challenges have left libraries understaffed and students without the necessary guidance when it comes to completing homework assignments.