[OPLINLIST] Homeschooling

[Chris Mills]

The Greenwich branch of the Huron County Community Library has hosted a
monthly homeschool group for several years.  It was started by a former
children's programmer who was a homeschool mom themselves.  We chose to
continue it after they left our organization.  I pick a subject or topic
and plan an approximately hour-long program around it.  We usually start in
October and run it through April, taking January and summer reading off.
We have a dedicated group of a couple families, and others rotate in and
out depending on their needs and schedules.  For instance, in October, we
are using Brown Dog Gadget kits to build solar-powered bugs and learn about
solar energy and how solar cells work.  In November, we are learning about
Ohio animals using resources from our local park district and dissecting
owl pellets that I ordered from ODNR.  In December, the Toledo Zoo is
bringing its mobile education program that will teach about animals around
the world and build on our November group.  One year, each month covered a
different body system using simple experiments and demonstrations.  I try
to find a mix between hands-on activities and instruction, and we always
provide additional resources for those who are interested in learning more.

We are a rural branch library with a staff of two full-time people,
including myself, and two part-time clerks.  Generally, we aim to have
three people in the building during the program, one to watch the
desk/phones and two to run the program.  Our highest number of attendees
has been 27, our lowest has been 0 (can't win 'em all).

On Mon, Sep 29, 2025 at 1:52 PM James, Stephanie via OPLINLIST <
oplinlist at lists.oplin.org> wrote:

> I have been getting questions about what kinds of things do we do with
> homeschooler groups.  As of now, we don't have any type of homeschooling
> programs.  What kinds of things/programs do any of you do with
> homeschooling groups?  Our library serves the Allen County area and there
> seems to be a lot of homeschooling groups, and I wouldn't know what to do
> or look into for this.  Do you have any suggestions or ideas?  If your
> library has homeschooling programming, has it been beneficial for your
> community and library?  Do you need a lot of staffing for it?  I would just
> like to gather some information and ideas before deciding on what to do.
>
> Thank you so much,
>  Stephanie James
> Head of Youth Services
> Lima Public Library
> 650 W. Market St.
> Lima, OH 45801
> 567-712-5259
> www.jamess at limalibrary.com
>
>
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-- 
Chris Mills
Branch Manager
Huron County Community Library - Greenwich and North Fairfield locations
4 New Street
Greenwich OH  44837
Phone 419-752-7331
Fax 419-752-6801
*This message and any response to it may constitute a public record and
thus may be publicly available to anyone who requests it.*
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