Homeschooling and the public library, part 2
**Note 6/8/09** If you live in Adams County in Colorado, you can pretty much skip this whole article. The Rangeview Library System is the first place in the world to do away with the Dewey Decimal system. To replace it with a retail based system used in bookstores called "WordThink". Read about it in today's Denver Post.**
How does a homeschool family use the library? Apparently, a lot. A recent study from the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) showed that 78% of homeschooling families use the public library as their main resource of learning materials. As I mentioned in Part 1, librarians are a tremendous resource for homeschooling families. Remember, they like us and want to help us. This is a good place to remind homeschooling newbie families that you do not have to know everything to homeschool—you just have to know where to look for the answer and teach your kids to do the same.
A few weeks ago, I wandered into a section of the library I had never noticed before: adult non-fiction, Dewey Decimal ~400-600. Oh my heck—the information that those books, DVD's and CD's touted on their spines made me woozy with delight. Math, space, birds, French, sign language, and on and on. And that was just one small section. I stopped at the reference desk and grabbed a handy-dandy bookmark with the subjects and their corresponding location according to Dewey. I.am.in.heaven. I am giving one to the girls and probably laminating mine. I think we might just come live in the library for 172 days for 4 hours and call it good.
And if you have never checked out the staggering resources via your public library’s website, I recommend you schedule a brief appointment with a librarian and have them give you a tour of what is accessible, much it from home if you have a library card.
Most public libraries have some fantastic programs for kids and teens that include writing, science, games (math), drama, technology, etc. Make sure you’re on your local library’s mailing list so you can be notified about upcoming events. Most events are free. Suddenly, going to hear the local war veteran’s personal story counts as “history”.
You might get yourself a sturdy, large book bag. You're gonna need it.
For more info: How to find what you're looking for with the
Dewey Decimal system. And here is a link for a
FREE unit study on the Dewey Decimal system for homeschoolers!
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Homeschooling and the public library, part 2
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