As you plan for your children’s return to school, The Seattle Public Library has something to consider. The library system offers several programs and services to help students of all ages succeed. And starting the week of Sept. 12, the Library’s free after school tutoring service, Homework Help will return to the Columbia, Douglass-Truth, High Point, Lake City, NewHolly and Rainier Beach branches. The service was put on hiatus for 2.5-year due to the pandemic.
“We are excited to once again see students working with our wonderful volunteer tutors, doing homework, learning and playing academic games together,” said Wendy Israel, K-5 Student Success Manager at the Library. The Library chose the six locations, all of which offer Homework Help previously, because they serve more students and families from historically underserved communities than other locations.
“We hope to increase hours and locations in other neighborhoods later in the school year,” said Israel.
The Library will also continue to offer virtual one-on-one tutoring through Tutor.com seven days a week, as well as many other learning resources.
Where and when to find Homework Help
At Homework Help, students in kindergarten through grade 12 can get help with their homework and academic coaching, as well as read and play learning enrichment games with trained tutors.
Starting the week of Sept. 12, Homework Help will be offered during the following hours at the following locations:
- Columbia Branch: Tuesdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. 4721 Rainier Ave. S., 206-386-1908
- Douglass-Truth Branch: Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., 2300 E. Yesler Way, 206-684-4704
- High Point Branch: Tuesdays, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays, from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. 3411 S.W. Raymond St., 206-684-7454
- Lake City Branch: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. 12501 28th Ave. N.E., 206-684-7518.
- NewHolly Branch: Tuesdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. 7058 32nd Ave. S., 206-386-1905
- Rainier Beach Branch: Mondays, from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. 9125 Rainier Ave S., 206-386-1906
COVID safety protocols at Homework Help
Homework Help volunteers are required to be vaccinated and show proof of vaccination. All students and volunteers will be limited to a number that is safe for each location. Masks are encouraged but not required.
Sanitation stations with free masks and hand sanitizer are available at each Library location.
Free virtual tutoring and other resources
Free one-on-one tutoring through the Library’s Tutor.com service is available to all students and virtual tutoring is offered at all grade levels and in three languages – English, Spanish and Vietnamese. It is available seven days a week. Live English and Spanish tutors are available from 2 to 10 p.m. daily. Vietnamese tutors are available from 4 to 7 p.m.
Connect at www.tutor.com/spl to get instant access to expert tutors in a safe and secure online classroom. Tutors can offer academic help with any subject, college essays, test preparation and more. Students can also take practice quizzes, submit writing for review at the Drop-Off Writing Review service and access video lessons available 24/7.
The Library offers dozens of other resources and services for students as well, including our vast collection of digital and physical books and audiobooks, book recommendations, digital magazines, research databases and more. Find resources by grade level at spl.org/StudentSuccess and spl.org/RemoteLearning.
Find out more
Students in Seattle can sign in to Tutor.com with a Library card or Library Link number and PIN. Find more about the Tutor.com schedule and information at spl.org/VirtualTutoring.
Need help with Tutor.com or other Library resources, call 206-386-4636. If you need an interpreter, just ask. You can also email or chat with a Library staff member at www.spl.org/Ask.
