Community Library Network announces Homeschool Resource Exchange
By Jillian Chandler
The school year is now in full swing, as students returned to class full time, tackled remote learning from home, or a combination of the two. There are also those parents who have opted for homeschooling their child (or children) for the 2020-2021 school year—and there is someone ready to help!
The Community Library Network at Hayden is providing a wonderful service to homeschooling parents and their students through their Homeschool Resource Exchange.
If you are a homeschool educator in need of workbooks or teaching aids, or have materials in good shape that you no longer use, Hayden Library is proud to introduce and be a part of an incredible resource for you to utilize—the Homeschool Resource Exchange. Here, you are invited to borrow the materials you need and return them when finished, or donate items you no longer want or need. And there is no checkout required!
“The idea was brought to me by a staff member, John,” says Jessica Bowman, Hayden Community librarian and manager. “He noticed a need that we could fill by providing materials for families who homeschool.” As costs of materials can sometimes be a deterrent to families who want to homeschool, John thought that if they were able to provide some of those materials, which can be reused by multiple families, it would be a great solution. John and fellow staff member Betsy, who are both former teachers, brought in the initial materials.
“Although we’ve been getting ready to launch this program since January, it’s timing couldn’t have been better with the influx of homeschool families this fall,” says Jessica. “We are hoping that the Homeschool Exchange enhances the homeschool experience for families in our area.”
Currently the only library in the Community Library Network that is providing this service, Jessica shares that they are looking to expand it to their other libraries as well.
Funding for the program is through donations and grants, and as Jessica says, “In order for this really cool resource to continue, we will need families who actively participate in the exchange.”
They are currently offering online programs, which can be found at CommunityLibrary.net. And Jessica is happy to share that they will be opening the Little Discovery Center in the Silver Lake Mall this month.
Community Library Network at Hayden is located at 8385 North Government Way and is open 10am to 8pm Monday through Thursday, 10am to 5pm Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5pm Sunday. For additional information, please call the library at 208.772.5612. For up-to-date information and other available resources and activities, follow the Community Library Network on Facebook at Facebook.com/CommunityLibrary.net.
Let's all do our part to help make this school year as successful and positive as we can for all of our students and educators.
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