Students needing help with their homework outside of school hours is nothing new.  Whether they are at home, attending an afterschool program, or using their local library, students with laptops, iPads, books, and study groups getting their work done are a common sight this time of year.  When COVID-19 ushered in remote learning, it presented its own set of unique challenges.  Suddenly all school work went digital with assignments being completed at home.  As a community, we have all come together to support our students, and the Neuse Regional Libraries welcome students to use our spaces, wi-fi connections and seek assistance with their school work.

Through the Literacy with Barriers Program, supported by federal funds awarded and administered by the State Library of North Carolina, the Neuse Regional Libraries are proud to offer Homework Help at five locations across our region.  Homework Help is a free afterschool tutoring program that provides one-on-one assistance with homework assignments as well as tutoring in math, reading, and writing by teachers and volunteers.  STEM enrichment activities are also offered during each session.   

In Lenoir County, Homework Help sessions are offered at the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library on Tuesdays and Thursdays and at the La Grange Public Library on Tuesdays.  In Jones County, Homework Help sessions are offered at the Pollocksville Public Library and the Trenton Public Library on Wednesdays.  In Greene County, Homework Help is offered at the Greene County Public Library on Wednesdays.  All Homework Help sessions start at 4:30 p.m. and end at 6:00 p.m.  While this program is open to Pre-K – 12th-grade students, students 12 years of age and younger need a supervising adult to stay in the building with them.  

In addition to Homework Help, the Youth Services team leads STEM 4 All at the Pink Hill Public Library on Tuesdays from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Time is allotted at the end of each program for homework help.  In partnership with the Kinston Housing Authority (KHA) STEM Storytimes are offered on a rotating schedule in the community centers at KHA locations with time allotted for homework help as needed.  

Students also have the opportunity to access digital library resources courtesy of the StudentAccess program.  Through the StudentAccess program, accounts are automatically set up for all students in partnership with the local school systems. To access digital resources, students should enter their full student ID number when asked for a library card number and the last four digits of their student ID when asked for a PIN number.

The Neuse Regional Libraries strive to be places where our community comes together.  Through our tutoring programs, our goal is to help prepare students for success in school and future life experiences. For more information or to register your student, please contact the Youth Services Department at 252-527-7066, ext. 133 or via email at ahargett@neuselibrary.org.