Staff Report
Local Kindergarten through eighth grade students will be able to schedule free, online, one-on-one appointments with knowledgeable tutors to receive personalized help with their homework, all from the comfort and convenience of their homes.
The program began Jan. 28 with tutoring sessions offered by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m. Appointments will be either 30 or 60 minutes long and can be scheduled through a form on the library’s Request Homework Help webpage. Once an appointment is scheduled, a friendly library staff member will send a confirmation email containing reservation details and a link to the secure meeting room for the tutoring session. Appointments are held using the free meeting platform GoToMeeting, which allows students to video chat with tutors directly and share their screen for an interactive tutoring experience.
“We are so happy that we can connect local students with our wonderful tutors and provide this valuable resource to help them succeed in school,” says Goleta Valley Library Children’s Librarian Elizabeth Saucedo.
During tutoring sessions, students can get help with their homework assignments or receive general subject-specific tutoring to boost their skills in certain areas. From assisting with math problems to looking over English essays, our tutors are happy to provide students with the support they need to complete their homework with success. Tutors will also be able to help students use the library’s free online homework help resources for additional research and learning, including BrainFuse HelpNow!, ProQuest Homework Central and Britannica School, which can be accessed anytime for around-the-clock academic support. A library card is not necessary to receive online homework help, but it is required to access the library’s free homework resources on the website. If you don’t already have a library card, you can sign up for a free library eCard here, or stop by the Goleta, Solvang or Buellton libraries in person to register for a physical card during Sidewalk Service hours on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The library’s Homework Help tutors are caring volunteers who are excited to help our area youth, and many are community members with years of experience in education and working with children. All tutors have received training and background checks and are looking forward to helping students reach their goals.
If you would like to volunteer as a tutor in the Homework Help program, please contact Goleta Valley Library Supervising Librarian Brent Field at bfield@cityofgoleta.org or 805-690-5137 for details and to receive an application.
For more information on programs and events at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries, view the online calendar at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.
