Do Your Homework @ the Library: Supporting Student Success

Libraries play an important role in helping students succeed both inside and outside of the classroom. One example of this is the “Do Your Homework @ the Library” program offered by the San Diego Public Library. The program provides free homework assistance for students in grades K-8 and gives them access to learning materials, computers, and online resources.

Programs like this are important because not every student has the same access to academic support. Some students may not have internet access, quiet study spaces, or someone available to help them with homework. By offering free homework help and tutoring, libraries help create equal opportunities for students to learn and succeed academically. This not only benefits the students seeking help, but also the parents and guardians who may need additional support as well. One library in Ohio decided to measure the effectiveness of their homework center by surveying students’ parents (Huffman, 2008). The data showed, “One hundred percent of the parents and guardians who completed the survey indicated that their child understood his or her homework better, 79 percent indicated that their child’s grades had improved, 79 percent responded that their child was spending time on homework daily, and 49 percent felt their child complained less about school…” (Huffman 2008).

The homework help program also creates a safe and supportive environment where students can ask questions, build confidence, and develop better study habits. Volunteer tutors and library staff guide students through assignments instead of simply giving them answers, which encourages independent learning and critical thinking. In the article, “Why Library Homework Centers Extend Societies Safety Net” by Cindy Mediavilla, she explains that a federal study concluded that students who attend after-school programs are, “...more likely to succeed academically, but they are also much more self-confident… These children are more likely to develop stronger social skills and to learn how to handle conflicts in an acceptable manner” (Mediavilla 2001).

These programs show how libraries continue to evolve beyond books and become active partners in education. Libraries are not only places for reading, but also places where students can grow academically, socially, and personally. Programs like “Do Your Homework @ the Library” demonstrate how libraries directly contribute to student success and strengthen the community as a whole.

Works Cited

Huffman, Celia, and Robert J. Rua. “Measuring the Effectiveness of Homework Centers in Libraries.” Children & Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children, vol. 6, no. 3, Dec. 2008, pp. 25–29. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=47906d8d-fed8-3776-8d8c-dca34fa99b34.

Mediavilla, Cindy. “Why Library Homework Centers Extend Society’s Safety Net.” American Libraries, vol. 32, no. 11, Dec. 2001, p. 40. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=e305dc33-31ab-3234-819a-65334ca50e24.