Blog Post 5

This past time I went to the Lexington Public Library, there was a lot going on. There were approximately seven volunteers with around 20 children in the room doing various things. Although the children almost three times over outnumbered us volunteers, only about four of us were working on homework with the children. The other volunteers were either coloring with the kids, or watching them run around the room while they played their make-believe games. The more I volunteer at the library, the more I understand that the library’s main goal for their homework help program is not just to help kids get their homework done. Their main goal is to create a safe environment for children that encourages and fosters a child’s ability to just be a kid, with some homework help on the side when needed.

            Large portions of the children who come to Lexington Public Library for their homework help program are from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. With that being said, some of children may not be have the privilege of playing in their backyard or neighborhood without safety being a concern. The library creates an environment where children can play without their parents having to worry about their safety. I have noticed that a portion of children will come to get help with their homework, but once they are done with the work, they will stay for a while afterwards to play with some of the other children. Or parents will bring siblings with the child that needs homework help, and allow them to play in the homework help room.

            There were two instances that occurred last Thursday at the library that made me realize that the library’s homework help is not all about homework. The first was when two little boys from different families came in a sat down at a table next to me. They had come in a grabbed their peanut butter and jelly sandwich and carton of chocolate milk, that is handed out to every child that walks through the doors, and came and sat down. The entire time they were there, all they did was run around the room and play. None of the other volunteers were annoyed, and no one ever questioned them being there even though they were not there to work on homework. The next instance was when I was helping one 10 year old boy read a book and another young girl came up to me and handed me a Jolly Rancher with a note that said, “you are the best!” on it. I had never helped her homework, but I did help to give her a safe environment where she could play, be creative, and assist her with homework if she had needed it. The Jolly Rancher and note showed that my contribution to that was not going unnoticed, and was appreciated. 

The homework help system may slightly lack in organization, but it by no means is lacking in compassion towards each child that walks through their doors.