School Days, School Days, at Home and in the
Library
Last summer, the U.S. Department of Education
estimated that approximately 1.7 percent of children ages five
through 17 were homeschooled during 1999. This amounts to 850,000
children. The number is expected to increase with the population and
new homeschooling opportunities.
To meet these special needs, the library has started
a homeschooling collection in the Youth Services Department. There
are homeschooling almanacs and special homeschooling manuals for
parents, as well as homeschooling guides for every age group, from
early years through middle and teen years. Also available are a
number of related magazines, homeschooling success stories, and
books about homeschooling and the family.
The library will host a Homeschooling Consortium
meeting from 10:30 a.m.-noon on Saturday, February 16. The event
offers the opportunity for homeschooling parents to meet, network,
and learn about library resources.
An independent Homeschooling Support Group meets at
the library on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Upcoming
meetings are scheduled for January 10, February 14, and March 14.
All interested persons are invited to attend.
The Bohan family of Des Plaines uses the library
regularly for homeschooling resources and activities.
Four recent grants awarded to the library by the Illinois State
Library total more than $33,000. One grant provides funding to
create new displays so books and other materials will be more
visible and accessible. Another grant will fund staff and survey
materials to help determine how the library can best serve
neighboring condo residents and business owners. A "Project
Next Generation" grant will provide new computers and mentors
for 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. And
a fourth grant will fund staff development.
