Library expands homework help program

By Dave Clark

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008 | midnight

Henderson libraries are expanding their Live Homework Help program a year after its launch, bringing the online assistance to kindergartners through third graders, as well as adults, for the first time.

The program had previously targeted fourth through 12th grades.

"I think there was a demand for it," Gayle Hornaday, assistant director of Henderson District Public Libraries, said. "I think tutors were finding people wanting assistance beyond the range they were offering."

Live Homework Help is staffed by licensed teachers in four subjects: math, science, English and social studies. The program is available in English from 3 to 10 p.m. seven days a week and in Spanish from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

When logging in to the program, users are asked to enter a grade level, and requests from adults grew more numerous, Hornaday said.

"They were giving a lot of assistance to people in college, especially with things like calculus and writing composition," she said.

They also got requests from adults preparing for the General Educational Development test and those needing resume help.

Previously, adults had to guess their grade level, but now the program informs the user which level they are working on and tracks their progress.

Although students in the youngest grades might not carry heavy homework loads, Hornaday thinks the service can prove valuable to them, as well.

"This just offers another option when a parent might not be available, where it's just something a parent might not be able to help with," she said.

The library has received much positive feedback on the program, which is produced in conjunction with Embarq, Hornaday said.

"They feel like it's time well spent," she said.

Online is also not the only place where library patrons can find assistance. Henderson libraries will add an extra day of in-person tutoring, which is now offered Monday through Wednesday at Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway.

National Honor Society students pre-screened by library staff assist elementary-age children from 4 to 6 p.m. More than 280 students were helped last year on a first-come, first-serve basis.

"It really is wonderful," Youth Services Specialist Florica Hagendorn said. "The children asking for help are very comfortable with the high school students."

Now in its second year, Hagendorn anticipated the program would add tutoring on Thursday within the next month.

Dave Clark can be reached at 990-2677 or [email protected].