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Libraries and Your Child's School Assignments

Most people think of their public library solely as a source for books. However, libraries have many services and programs that can help children or the people who care for them. Learn what services libraries are likely to offer for preschool and school-aged children.

Very often children in school will ask their parents for help with library assignments. And very often parents will find themselves gradually taking over and doing a report for their son or daughter.

Obviously, doing so offers no long-term benefit to anyone. There are, however, things you can do to help your kids with school reports and other research assignments:

• Ask your children questions about the assignment and encourage them to ask the teacher questions. This helps children clarify what they're trying to do.
• Help them identify smaller components of the topic they're researching or to see the topic as part of a larger topic (brontosaurus is a subgroup of dinosaurs, which is a subgroup of extinct animals). These classifications will help them to identify useful references.
• Suggest that they look up the topic in the library catalog, periodical guides, and reference books. The librarian will direct them and help them get started. Be sure they know how to use a table of contents and index. Suggest they start with something general about the subject and be prepared to consult more than one source.
• Help them break assignments into logical segments and avoid last-minute panics by setting deadlines for each phase of the work. Allow them plenty of time to gather the materials they need.
• Help them determine if the library has the resources they need or if they need to check other information sources.
• Encourage your kids to ask the librarian for help in locating materials and let them do their own talking.
• Give them encouragement, advice, and a ride if they need it, but resist the temptation to take over an assignment. Let your children assume responsibility for researching and writing reports. It's the only way they'll learn the library skills that they can use all their lives.

Homework help

In many areas, libraries have special services for helping kids with school assignments, such as homework hotlines and "clinics."

Summer reading programs

One of the most important and frequently available library services for school-aged children is the summer reading program. Recent research has shown that kids who participate in library summer reading programs begin the school year with stronger reading skills than those who don't.

Computers and internet access

Computers are often found in the children's section as well as in the adult department. Many public libraries offer training courses for children in using different software and in accessing the Internet.

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