The following information is excerpted from “A Guide to Homeschooling for Librarians,” by © David C. Brostrom, 1995, published by Highsmith Press, Fort Atkinson, Wis. Used by permission of the publisher.

A portrait of homeschoolers

What motivates parents to opt for homeschooling?

The majority of people who choose the home education option do so for religious reasons. These parents feel their Christian values are not sufficiently emphasized in public schools. In fact, many believe that American textbooks are designed to undermine “traditional values” through the promotion of secular humanism.

Other specific reasons why parents choose home education (statements in quotes are from homeschooling parents I posed questions to -- the other conclusions are based on my reading and research):

• “I want to spend more time with my children,”
• low student to teacher ratio,
• to have a “warm, loving” home environment for a special needs child,
• more time for development of special talents and interests,
• to foster thinking children,
• family closeness and unity,
• tutorial method’s superiority/accomplish more academically,
• “so I can discipline my children as I choose,”
• safety issues, overcrowding and drugs in public schools,
• so we can have “an unstructured curriculum,”
• “because we see education as inseparable from life.”

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Homeschooling educational styles

Homeschoolers whose use a traditional approach often imitate the methods of public classroom teachers, creating lesson plans, utilizing separate textbooks for each subject, and purchasing or creating their own curriculum materials. A large percentage of these homeschoolers follow biblical principles and curriculum.

On the other hand, ultra traditional home educators, believing that self-reliant child-centered learning works best, are far more likely to allow their children to pick their own pace of learning, or follow whatever topic fuels their curiosity and creativity. They are often skeptical of grading and standardized testing. A flexible curriculum is a comfortable fit for them; their motto might be, “the best lessons are the ones you don’t prepare for.” The parents (and children) tend to be open-minded, humanistic, independent thinking.

No matter which educational style a homeschooling family uses -- structured, unstructured, traditional, untraditional, or a mix of many methods -- they have one thing in common. They frequently supplement their home learning with “community school” field trips.

Knowing about the different educational styles most commonly used should give you a hint of what types of library materials home educators may be searching for.

Making the connection

To locate home educators in your community and region, try some of the following:

• Post an invitation on the library’s community bulletin board;
• place announcements in your local newspaper, at area churches, professional offices, food cooperatives, and other marketplaces, retail stores, Christian and independent bookstores, or wherever else you customarily promote the library;
• invite homeschoolers to the library with news releases;
• if a homeschooling support group meets in your library building, ask if they are interested in hearing (from you or another library staff member) about new library materials and upcoming programs for children, young adults, or families;
• if you are inquisitive about a certain family that customarily uses your library during daytime hours; ask them discreetly whether they are homeschoolers.

Once you’ve made the connection

These subsequent steps are:

1. Developing a homeschool resource file and acquiring a core collection of homeschooling materials; (Kentucky Home Education Association has a 70-page Homeschool Information Packet available to meet this need. Please click here.)
2. conducting library orientation tours, and
3. offering various programs and services for children and adults.

Orientation tours for homeschoolers

1. Give homeschooling families a general tour of the library, featuring the new or recently updated homeschooling resource file, any books or periodical articles on homeschooling and/or educational methods;
2. Explain the online or card catalog, and give handouts that show, with diagrams, arrows, etc., how to navigate the automated system;
3. Ask them about their specific interests, and keep a record of these comments;
4. Finally, explain the fundamental policies of your library and library system, emphasize the importance and reasoning of having a balanced collection and the role your library plays in the city and region, and share handouts that illustrate the library policies/services.

Programming examples and ideas

• It is important to alert your area homeschoolers and regional homeschool associations whenever you’re kicking off a regular storytime season, the popular summer library program, book discussion groups, or any other programs geared for a general library audience.
• Sponsor a multi-session workshop for a homeschool association or a general audience of home educators -- include workshops on how to get the most out of your automated system using tips, shortcuts, and search strategies, how to master CD-ROM products, print reference sources, and feature an electronic “treasure hunt;”
• conduct workshop programs on how to sharpen library research skills designed for homeschooling parents and their children;
• sponsor a speaker who is a well-known homeschooling authority.

Additional potential homeschooling program topics mentioned in survey responses were: folktales, anything musical or artistic, local author talks and book discussions, how to take notes, basic reference orientations for children, creative writing, math and science,

booktalks, library policies and intellectual freedom. For more original ideas, ask your homeschoolers!

What homeschoolers “liked best about libraries” was:

1. Friendly, helpful staff who take an interest in homeschooling;
2. interlibrary loans;
3. good selection of children’s books and materials;
4. friendly environment;
5. well-organized children’s programs;
6. use of rooms for homeschooling meetings,
7. one month or longer loan period;
8. no limit to number of books you can check out;
9. periodicals to check out.

Real-life concerns and experiences

Because most librarians are not trained to deal with sequential unit studies or curriculum matters, and don’t understand the lingo, we need not masquerade as homeschool curriculum experts -- thank goodness.

Many of us, however, need to be will versed in library collection development. Providing a balanced collection of materials, including ones that address certain viewpoints homeschoolers agree or disagree with, may mean purchasing controversial books on the occult, alternative lifestyles, sexuality, abortion, creation science/evolution, history, and other subjects.

Additionally, having procedures for handling complaints is imperative. An established public relations program and procedures for responding to censorship challenges is also a must.

A vital part of the “getting acquainted” process is for homeschoolers and librarians to openly discuss materials selection, intellectual freedom, balanced collections, censorship. Even though we may come from different orientations, we hopefully share a common pursuit -- the love of learning and libraries.

David C. Brostrom ©1995.

Excerpts compiled by Kentucky Home Education Association, 2004. Please contact us if you would like more information about how librarians can better serve the needs of homeschooling patrons. Email: kheahomeschool@hotmail.com.

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