Homeschool Survey Results

The SDSL conducted an online survey from July 30^th – August 15^th to gather data on home school trends for Fall 2020. Forty-one responses were received and analyzed. Please note: Home schooling has its own curriculum while distance learning is done working from home with your local school district and teachers. SD/DOE has a page about home schooling: https://doe.sd.gov/oatq/homeschooling.aspx.

Most (45%) reported less than 25% of their student population would be home schooling this fall. However, 37.5% indicate they have no idea how to tell how many in their community plan to home school this fall, and 12.5% would like guidance on how to find out. Library staff can look for where parents are having these conversations. Facebook groups for parents and other online social media can help library staff connect to this user base. Where do parents gather in your community?

See full infographic of SDSL Homeschool Online Survey.

Twenty nine respondents answered they did see evidence home schooling will increase, while sixteen respondents answered they did not. How are you reaching out to your community to gather information? Contacting school administrators is a great way to collaborate, get facts, and advocate for your library.

30% of respondents said they did not feel prepared to handle a potential increase in patrons who homeschool. A whopping 80% of respondents opted to receive additional resources that benefit the home school community.

What can libraries do?

Libraries can provide access to Wi-Fi and SDSL online databases to support research, homework, and projects. Whether the student is being home schooled, learning online, or in person through the school district, libraries have a lot to offer.

SDSL databases

The SDSL provides a large selection of online databases on a variety of topics. Users have instant, statewide access using GeoIP technology. Check out the following:

• Student Research for Elementary School
• Student Research for Middle School
• Student Research for High School

As always, feel free to contact me for more information and/or to set up training on the SDSL databases:

Kim Bonen, Digital Resources Coordinator
605-295-3174 | Kim.bonen@state.sd.us

If you lose my phone number, just call the State Library 773-3131 ext. 6 and they can patch you through.

Sturgis Public Library Awarded $18,000 in Disaster Fund Grants

The Sturgis Public Library is pleased to announce that the Black Hills Area Community Foundation, John T. Vucurevich Foundation, and the United Way of the Black Hills have each awarded $6,000 to the Sturgis Public Library in the form of Disaster Fund Grants. Totaling $18,000, the grants will be used to support the library's efforts to assist those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. 

The Public Library worked with the Meade 46-1 School Librarians, Scottie Bruch (Middle & High Schools) and Heidi Kruse (Elementary Schools) to identify areas of need. The result of that collaborative effort is portable Wi-Fi hotspots and the expansion of the public library's digital eBook and audiobook Overdrive collections for school-age students. 

"As our schools moved to remote learning last spring, it became apparent that a segment of our students did not have access to the internet at home. The school district worked to connect those students, but it remains a struggle for many in our community. These hot spots will allow families to connect should we move to distance learning again in the coming year," said Kruse. "Additionally, many students and families did not have adequate access to level appropriate books. This new collection will help to fill that gap." 

"We know that there is the probability of some students being homeschooled this fall and also the possibility that all of our students could be moved to a hybrid or virtual learning environment at some point during the school year," said Bruch. "We are grateful they will have access to quality content even when they can't physically access our school libraries." 

These resources will be available to the whole community, not just students. "Like the schools, our public library services continue to be limited because of the pandemic. We know there are many in our community that will benefit from these hot spots beyond the students," explained Julie Moore Peterson, Head Librarian of the Sturgis Public Library. "We are thrilled to offer this new opportunity in a time of such need." The public library is in the process of purchasing 10 Wifi Hotspots for patron use, and new digital content is already available.

Resources for homeschooling

As the South Dakota mid-summer heat swelters to an almost unbearable intensity, thoughts begin to drift towards fall and cooler temperatures. Like the rest of 2020, this fall may be an unusual one. Due to COVID-19, parents are currently deciding whether to send their children back to public school or provide alternate instruction at home. For first timers, the world of homeschooling can be confusing.

So, what can librarians do to help patrons with school age children? Easy! They can share resources that guide them through the homeschooling process. Librarians can suggest patrons visit the SD Department of Education (DOE) Homeschooling Page to learn what steps to take in order to homeschool:

https://doe.sd.gov/oatq/homeschooling.aspx

The South Dakota State Library remains dedicated to providing high quality resources for all South Dakota residents. Here are just a few of our online databases that will help supplement your patron's curriculum whether they attend public school OR receive instruction at home:

Learning Express Library : For ages 9-90, Learning Express Library is for anyone wishing to build skills or take a standardized test.

Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia : A student encyclopedia that provides over 25,000 entries on a wide variety of topics.

Miss Humblebee's Acadamy : Interactive learning program for ages 2-6; in math, science, social studies, language and literacy, art, and music.

TrueFlix : Dozens of social studies and science units. Primary sources, fiction, videos, audio clips, images, and related websites.

Visit the South Dakota State Library's Database Page to discover more on:

Student Research for Elementary School

Student Research for Middle School

Student Research for High School