online tutoring program available for library card holders
lake county examiner
By Ryan Bonham
Lakeview, OR September 30, 2009
Online tutoring services are accessible through the Lake county public Library thank in part to funding provided through the Chalkboard Project, Libraries of Eastern Oregon (LEO) and the Lake County Library District.
A link to Tutor.com on the library's web site, located at http://www.lakecounty.plinkit.org/, provideslive tutoring services for students in grades kindergarten through 12, as well as for students in introductory-level college courses and adult learners.
Students may gain access to the tutoring service by entering their library card number into the prompt on the library web site. If this number is not available, patrons may contact the library to obtain their number.
The section for students in grades K-12 includes segments for math, science, English, and social studies. There is also a section the 'The Proof Point' which provides proofing opportunities for essays and research papers.
The tutoring services are available from 2 to 10 p.m. daily. The Skills Center Resorce Library sections is available at all times, and has a number of resources available, such as practice quizzes for specific areas within the aforementioned study fields.
The College Center portion of the program includes the aforementioned subjects, as well as an area with assistance for career pursuits, such as resume help, interview preparation, and GED preparation. Elements within the Career Center include helpful infomration for adults preparing to go back to school and individuals preparing to take a citizenship test to become a U.S. citizen.
Head librarian Amy Hutchinson said that the program is a very valuable offering to community members. Access is not limited to the computers at the library, as anyone with internet access can utilize the program via the library's web site.
"I think having highly-trained tutors at the click of a mouse is a huge asset," Hutchinson said. "It's pretty awesome. I think it's a great service. We're really happy to have it."
Feedback has been positive so far, Hutchinson added, noting that the word isn't fully out on the availability of the program. Tutoring is available in both English and Spanish.
"I've heard good feedback from students and parents both," she said, "but I think it, like anything, takes a little to get on peoples' radar."
According to a press release issued by LEO, Tutor.com has more than 2,000 certified tutors serving some 1,800 libraries around the country. The Chalkboard Project was organized by a constortium of six of Oregon's leading foundations to help support education and improve Oregon's K-12 public schools to a higher level of quality.
For more informsation, visit the Lake County Public Library at 513 Center St., or call 947-6019.
