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Erica Reece Posts: 53 Join Date: 10/14/05 Recent Posts	homeschoolers... 12:21 PM EDT 10/22/05 Top Hi there - Our library is starting a "homeschooler support group" as a forum for homeschoolers in our area to meet, share ideas, and such. Our first event is in a few weeks as a simple potluck-type dinner and an informal chance to socialize and meet-and-greet each other. One programming idea that we already are planning on doing at some point is a "library skills class" for the kids that teaches them about all the resources that are available at the library. (The kinds of things that school kids learn in their trips to the school library) Has anyone out there done something similiar? Anyone have some great programming ideas that they have tried or would like to try at some point? Thanks in Advance! Erica

Janie Hermann Posts: 287 Join Date: 5/11/03 Recent Posts	Re: homeschoolers... 2:14 PM EDT 10/26/05 as a reply to Erica Reece. Top What a great idea! I am sure the potluck will be a success. Please keep us posted on how it turns out. Our library has done various outreach efforts to homeschoolers and our efforts have always been met with enthusiasm by the homeschooling community. One program that we have done is to have book discussion groups. The library picks a book appropriate for about the 4th grade reading level. Older kids read it on their own and younger ones will have had it read to them by a parent or sibling. We then have them gather to talk about the book and do an activity related to that book. I think something else that would be fun is to have the kids do booktalks for each other. It could start with the librarian booktalking a few books and then others could join in. The first step would be to teach the parents and kids about the format and length of a booktalk... then you could hold monthly sessions. Hmmm... maybe I will go suggest that to our youth services dept.... Message was edited by: janieh

Brenda Hough Posts: 258 Join Date: 5/11/03 Recent Posts	Re: homeschoolers... 4:25 PM EST 11/2/05 as a reply to Janie Hermann. Top All Kansas residents have access to subscription databases through the state library. I know several smaller public libraries in my area have offered database training sessions for the parents of homeschoolers. SIRS Discoverer, for example, is a database that is aimed at K-8th graders. It includes activities, reviewed web links, etc... and the homeschoolers LOVE learning about it. It's great to see libraries reaching out to these groups. Brenda

Sarah Evans Posts: 58 Join Date: 6/7/05 Recent Posts	Re: homeschoolers... 9:19 PM EST 11/10/05 as a reply to Erica Reece. Top Thanks for bringing up this great topic. Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular option in our area for an interesting mix of people. These families rely heavily on the public library for materials, but sometimes are don't have the complete picture of our services and resources that they could use. I had previously thought that homeschool families would naturally prefer the larger libraries in our system.(We have two sister libraries within 15 minutes drive.) But with interlibrary delivery, many folks use our small library as a pick up point because they like to interact with our staff. This thread has me pondering building some programs for homeschoolers even in our 2700 square foot environment. Thanks! Sarah

Jennifer Stanley Posts: 18 Join Date: 11/14/05 Recent Posts	Re: homeschoolers... 1:17 PM EST 11/17/05 as a reply to Sarah Evans. Top Our main branch has done some programming for Homeschoolers in our county but mostly it's a tour and not much else. Several of the Homeschoolers prefer the smaller branches rather then the main branch. They've told us that they like the "more friendly" atmosphere they find in the smaller branches. We just moved from a 4000 sq ft building to a 12,000 sq ft building three weeks ago so a homeshool program(s) is on our list of things to do on a regular basis. Good luck on the potluck dinner!

Kaye Petts Posts: 1 Join Date: 4/6/04 Recent Posts	Re: homeschoolers... 1:19 PM EST 12/8/05 as a reply to Erica Reece. Top Hello- I am the Children's librarian at our local library. We have started a homeschool group called " At Home @ The Library". We meet twice a month on Tues. afternoons and it is open to kids ages 5 and up. Our "sessions" are in conjunction with the public school's. So far, we havedelved into Medieval history, in which we experienced hands-on learning about the time period and ended with a banquet, basic science, in which we ended with a science fair, and now we are working on the basics of drama....our goal is to perform The Wizard of OZ. The parents are very much involved and are willing to help in any way. I have also involved the community asking for volunteers or help in the areas of non-expertise for me. It has been a wonderful experience and would recommend it to any library interested in reaching out to the homeschool community. Thanks, Kaye Message was edited by: Kaye Petts kpetts Message was edited by: chrystiehill (I just deleted the extra post)