[Michlib-l] More Homeschooling Responses

[Jessica Wilhoite]

Even more homeschooling responses :) 



1. We have a staff member, Melanie Allbery (copied to this message) who homeschooled her children with a literature-based curriculum through 8-th grade. She "retired" as a kindergarten teacher to do this. (She was such a frequent patron we hired her to be a para-pro sub when her kids were a little older.) 



Melanie began offering a monthly homeschooling program in Sept. 2015, Sept. - April. It draws 25-45 people. Melanie has a different theme each month, with lots of hands-on learning activities. I don't think that any one else on my staff could deliver this program. Melanie's knowledge of lesson plans, group/classroom management and ability to converse with any age person all go into making this program a success. And Melanie's contacts with the entire s.e. MI homeschooling community have helped a lot with publicity. 



I've attached a current flyer. Please contact Melanie if you would like more information. She will be off until after the first of the year. Her name is Melanie Allbery (two "l's") and her email address is melanie.allbery at farmlib.org. 



2. I have to say, I was disappointed in the response to your question about homeschool programs. As a former homeschooling mom myself, I remember being very disappointed that my local (and other nearby) libraries did not have homeschool programs. There seemed to be a lot of interest among the parents in my homeschool groups, since most of us were regulars at our local public libraries. 




When I began working at FCL as a Page, I learned that one of the parapros in the children's department was also a homeschooler. Three or four years ago, she started a program for homeschoolers and, since I now work in a different building and am an adult librarian, I wondered how it was going, given the less than enthusiastic response you received to your post. Here's what she said: 





I have had a wonderful response to my homeschool program, thankfully!! I have a regular group that comes, along with new people, every month. I think it makes a huge difference that I homeschooled my children--they see me as credible in providing a program for them. The parents are VERY appreciative and give me feedback as to what they like/need/want. 





Don't give up on homeschoolers! But maybe have a talk with them first to see what their needs and their availabilities are. ;) 




***Two recommendations to contact Melanie Allbery!*** 




3. We have a Homeschool Advisory Board that meets once a month at the library. This is the purpose statement: 

The purpose of the Tamarack District Library Homeschool Advisory Board is regularly to collaborate in areas of mutual interest for the benefit of their families, the library, and the community. The Homeschool Advisory Board will share resources, plan or recommend events, and support endeavors with a focus on positive community interaction, education, and service to others. 



I present it to community members (both homeschoolers and others) something like this: “It’s a way for homeschoolers to learn more about the resources available at the library and network with each other; and it is a way for the library to learn more about how we can serve homeschoolers’ needs.” 



These meetings have resulted in increased use of library materials, and given us some useful direction in collection development that has benefited the community as a whole. For example, in the early days of the HAB, we received a request for foreign language learning materials such as Rosetta Stone. From that request we embarked on a process that has resulted in us now having five foreign language laptops available for checkout. Each has a different language learning software installed on it, and they are very popular. It appears HAB has also been useful to homeschoolers for networking, and the library is now identified as “the place to go” for new homeschoolers in the area who want to learn more and get looped in. 



The HAB has also provided the impetus for the following programs: 

    * Weekly Chess Club on Friday afternoon (open to the public) 
    * Annual “Science Fair” in March (open to the public) 
    * Annual “pick up” choir of homeschooled kids who sing at the library’s annual Christmas open house 
    * A game day focused on strategy games is currently being planned 


Through HAB, homeschooled kids have become increasingly involved as volunteers in our “Junior Friends of the Library” group, and in support of various programs. 





Thanks for responding...I will send along more if I get any. 

Happy New Year! 

Jessica Wilhoite 
Assistant Director/Youth Librarian 
Romulus Public Library 
11121 Wayne Rd. 
Romulus, MI 48174 
(734) 942-7589 

Serving Romulus and Huron Township Residents 


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