From Library Journal
As the number of homeschooled children in this country rises, the public library can be an excellent resource for parents who prefer to educate their children at home. In this new guide, Scheps (Homeschoolers and the Public Library: A Resource Guide for Libraries Serving Homeschoolers, Public Library Assn., 1993) gives librarians tips on serving the homeschool population and information on existing programs. Part 1 presents problems librarians face when serving homeschoolers, background details on what a homeschooler wants from a public library, homeschooling laws, and eight sample programs from libraries in the United States (although some librarians may wish for a larger selection of programs). Part 2 is a useful directory of national, state, regional, and provincial homeschool organizations and associations. An extensive bibliography also lists homeschooling web sites. Another bonus is a resource list of correspondence schools, publishers, and distributors of educational materials. Scheps has produced an insightful and useful volume for those who support homeschoolers as part of their public library population.ARu Story-Huffman, Hagan Memorial Lib., Cumberland Coll., Williamsburg, KY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
As home schooling has increased, so has its effect on public libraries. A number of potential problems exist, such as library staff bias against home schooling, heavy use of library materials, and censorship. Scheps believes there are potential benefits for both home schoolers and libraries, when each understands the other's needs. She provides a checklist of resources and services home schoolers want from public libraries and describes eight programs in communities across the country. The book's directory of resources covers national, state, regional, and provincial home-schooling organizations in the U.S. and Canada; entries include information on religious affiliation, materials and services provided, and statements of organizational purposes and goals. Correspondence school listings also have information on the school's distribution area, curriculum, and age-level service; similar information is provided for home-schooling resource publishers and distributors. Bibliographies of home-schooling^-related periodicals and other print materials and a listing of Web sites for general material on homeschooling and for materials on such specifics as teaching techniques and study of specific subjects round out coverage. Edward Swanson
