Providing Homework Help in Your Library Patty Wong Deputy Director Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library An Infopeople Workshop

Workshop Goals Workshop Goals Identify your resources –financial –personnel –administrative Create an effective plan to incorporate homework help with existing library services Make a commitment to begin the process

Review Handouts Workshop Agenda PowerPoint Presentation Action Plan 40 Assets (in English and Spanish) Potential Partners Potential Funders Human Resource Considerations

More Handouts Sample Activities for Homework Help: Low, Intermediate and High Levels Evaluation Considerations Needs Checklist Offering Homework Help Services Webliography Bibliography Evaluation

Agenda Homework Services to Offer Examples of low, intermediate, and high-cost programs Nuts and Bolts –staff –resources –funding Operations Marketing Evaluation

Introductions 1. Who are you? Do you offer homework help now? What do you offer? 2. What do you want to get out of this workshop?

Ask Yourself These Questions Does your Library’s mission statement support offering homework help as a service? Do you have the resources needed to make a change? Is there demand in your community? Is there commitment from: –management? –staff?

Why Should the Library Offer Homework Help? The Mission of the Public Library –The Library’s role community resource youth developer The Need –community demand –peak customer use –public and organizational expectations Shrinking Resources in the Schools

Youth Development How can Library staff make a difference in the lives of young people?

Asset Building External Assets –library staff play an important role in fostering external assets –Make asset building part of your Action Plan Internal Assets –library can’t directly influence 40 developmental assets from Search Institute, Inc.

Homework Help at the Library – Current Services What kinds of service are you currently offering? When and how often do you provide that service?

Fill Out Your Action Plan section on: Your Vision What do you provide now? When would you provide it?

Costs and Impacts Get the most bang for your buck Costs –low, intermediate, high Impacts –low, intermediate, high

Low Cost Minimal or no direct staffing Self-directed Initial need for some reallocation of resources May be tied to existing service or program Relationship with external organization for maximum impact

Low Cost Examples Homework Help collection (self-help) Programs: Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library’s –Homework Help packet –Senior Project packet

Collaboration Examples Collaboration Examples Starting small: - local community/university/high school volunteers or workstudy - collaboration with another homework help agency (offering space, resources)

Relationship Building California State Library sponsored –Tutor.com: free live homework assistance available from referrals for all California students –24/7: free reference at San Joaquin County Office of Ed –Math Tutoring

Intermediate Costs Direct staff support Provision of expertise and guidance Ongoing costs Development of new and related services Strong relationship with schools and other partners

Intermediate Cost Examples Homework Resource Centers –dedicated materials –space –dedicated staffing Web presence with links Regularly scheduled programs and events

Web-based Homework Help Sites

High Cost – High Impact Extensive staff involvement –paid and volunteer employees Youth driven, youth development programs Comprehensive, full-service, multi-faceted Continual funding requirements Well-developed relationship with schools and other partners

High Cost Examples Homework Centers – full youth programs with homework help, enrichment and recreation, offered on a regular basis in the Library Homework Centers operating in the schools –Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Live Homework Help - full service programming for students, parents and teachers

California Models California Models Tutor.com (Live Homework Help) QandACafe.com and Other 24/7 Web-based and electronic resources Full-service Homework Centers Combinations of services

Action Plan Fill in the section on: Level Of Homework Help Service

Your Vision What kinds of services do you wish you could offer?

Questions to Keep in Mind What services would you like to include in your homework help plan? Who are the gatekeepers to implement the process? How do you introduce this program to the public? To staff?

Getting Started Assess your strengths and needs Develop an Action Plan –include all existing and potential resources –include timelines, deadlines, roles and responsibilities –commit to the process

Assess Your Strengths Existing or Potential –People staff, volunteers, partners –Physical operations, partners –Financial funding streams, partners

People and Connections Who are your partners? Who are your allies? Your competitors?

Action Plan Fill in the section on: People And Connections

Physical Resources What other resources do you have? –Equipment and materials –Space –Support & outside services –Publicity/marketing –Audience

Action Plan Fill in the section on: Inventory Of Physical Resources

Financial Resources Does your library provide fiscal support for homework help now? What are the existing and potential funders for the program?

Funding Resources Education: School Districts County Office of Education Municipal and Government: City and County associated departments California State Library LSTA/IMLS

More Financial Support Financial institutions –local and national foundations –grantmaking agencies Library support –Friends of the Library –Library Foundation

Action Plan Fill in the section on: Financial Resources

Operations- Putting it All Together Staffing and roles –What staff do you have committed to the program? –What do they do?

Action Plan Fill out the Section on Operations - Staffing

Operations - Budget Budget –How many resources can you afford? –Is your budget fixed or flexible to change with the needs of the program? –Who do you need to involve in securing stable financial support?

Action Plan Fill out the section on: Operations – Budget

Operations - Priorities What services/programs have a secondary priority?

Action Plan Fill out the section on: Operations - Priority

Operations Considerations - Structure Structure –Is the program open to everyone? –Is there a grade level preference? –Will you require parental permission to participate? –How do you handle waiting lists?

Operations Considerations – Service Plan Service Plan –Does the Library’s Mission and Vision support the Homework Help program? –Include the Homework Help program in any written documents concerning the Library’s Service Plan

Operations Considerations – Recruitment and Training Review your staffing needs How do you include Human Resources in your plan to recruit, select, train, and retain? Are there any current tools that you use to assist these efforts?

Operations Considerations – Forms and Reporting Document early and often Share your success Review the Library’s current forms in use Think about: –teacher contact –parent contact –analysis

Operations Considerations – Ancillary Services Enrichment Activities Recreation Activities Healthy Snack

Action Plan Fill in the section on: Operations Considerations

What are your NEEDS? What are the missing ingredients in your organization to offering homework help?

Marketing Use existing communications and public relations channels Publicize your success and needs –community –participants and their parents –schools –funders Assign a point person to handle the media Involve your staff at all levels

Evaluating Your Homework Help Program Continual review SWOT Budget integration Staff buy in Communication with community Be responsive to suggestions - and stick with it

Leveraging Your Resources How to turn an evaluation into $500k worth of support

Commitment Keep the outcome in the forefront Stick to the plan and your timeline Involve the staff, the public and Library management for maximum support

Next Steps Planning Set up your timeline RIGHT NOW make your commitment in writing Take out the sheet “Offering Homework Help Services – Immediate Action” and commit to getting started

Workshop Evaluation Please fill out the Evaluation Form in your packet.

For More Assistance Patty Wong (209) (209)