Homeschooling: "Exploring the Potential of Public Library Service for Homeschooled Students". by Baaden, BeaPublication Date: Journal of the Library Administration & Management Section; Mar2009
As the number of homeschooled students rises in this country, needs for resources, instruction and support also has risen. The homeschooled students, while not participating in the school classrooms and by extension the school or public libraries, have needs that should be satisfied by library services. These include access to materials and technology, information literacy skills instruction, reading and writing support, curriculum materials and methods, reference services, as well as areas to "make and take", facilities for quiet study or to meet with mentors or tutors. In addition, homeschooled students need the kind of library skills instruction that all students in traditional school libraries receive. The purpose of this study is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of library support to home-schooled students in Nassau-Suffolk, Long Island and to make recommendations based upon analysis. The major question examined is: How are homeschooled students served through their local public libraries? Also the study examines the perception of homeschooling families by public librarians. There are three main conclusions that derive from the study: the librarians' reactive rather than proactive response to the homeschooled population; the lack of consistent leadership in development or outreach of library programs specifically for the homeschooled; and the public librarians' perception that there is no difference between the homeschooled population and the rest of the patrons who use the library. The analysis leads to suggestions and recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]