A Stunningly Helpful School Supply

By Jenn Beckstead, Teen Librarian

August 5, 2009

With only a few days left until your child heads back to the classroom, it is time to think about school supplies!

Many schools provide lists of the items students need to bring in order to have a successful school year:  notebooks, pencils, folders, and the list goes on. While you are out shopping, don’t forget to stop by your Natrona County Public Library. 

Why?  A library card is an important school supply that provides each child with endless educational opportunities. 

Many students, adults, and families already visit the library building as a place to research, study, check out items, or access free wireless Internet.  They also get personal help from librarians to find what they need for projects and homework assignments.

But did you know NCPL also provides free online resources you can access from home, work, or school any time of the day?

This school year kicks off our 3rd year offering a wonderful resource called Live Homework Help® via the library website. 

This professional tutoring service is available seven days a week during the peak homework time, 3-9 p.m.  Students of all ages can log on to receive real time assistance in any topic related to math, science, social studies, or English.

Live Homework Help® includes several new and improved features this year.  The new classroom requires free Microsoft Silverlight software which can be downloaded the first time you log in. 

In addition to the live tutoring services currently offered daily to K-12 learners, college students, and adults, Proofpoint™ will be available from 3-9 p.m. for real time document review (proofreading). 

This assistance not only helps students submitting research papers but also adults writing resumes or other professional documents. 

Skills Center™ is another new feature this year, offering homework resources 24 hours a day.  K-12 learners can find worksheets and practice tests that help with math, science, social studies, and English homework and enrichment activities.

College students and adults also have access to Skills Center™ resources for GED test prep, resume help, citizenship test prep, job search information, and financial calculators. 

Over the past two years, 780 students in our county have used Live Homework Help®, courtesy of a grant provided by the Natrona County Recreation Joint Powers Board.  Here is what a few of them have to say about this valuable service.

“It really helped me. I have a very hard time in school. i think this service should be told to everyone,” writes a 9th grader. 

“I Love Live Homework Help! It is so cool and helpful! :],” exclaims a 6th grade student.

Finally, a 10th grader writes, “It was so, so very helpful to have this as a resource! Keep up the great job of helping students like me!”

Try it for yourself or with your student.  Just click on the Live Homework Help® link at the bottom of the NCPL website, www.natronacountylibrary.org, to get started.  Stop by our booth at the Back to School Bash on August 15th for more information.

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