The document presents recommendations for the Manchester District Library (MDL) to enhance its homeschool collection based on community needs and best practices. It includes an analysis of homeschooling trends, findings from research, and case studies from other libraries, emphasizing the importance of community assessment and ongoing feedback. The recommendations aim to create a superb homeschool collection that serves the rural community effectively.

1. Homeschool Collection for
Manchester District Library
Chris Bulin, Lauren Day, Erin
Kinnee and Amy Scott
April 18, 2014
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2. What to expect:
• An introduction to Manchester District
Library (MDL)
• Research questions and findings
• Team’s recommendations to tailor the
homeschool collection to the community

3. Presented by:
• Chris Bulin
– Introduction
• Amy Scott
– Established Best
Practices
• Lauren Day
– Sample Homeschool
Collection
• Erin Kinnee
– Research Methods

4. Purpose
• Introduce you to MDL
• Explore best practices and trends in
homeschooling
• Discuss a model for a superb homeschool
collection
• Describe recommendations for MDL

5. MDL Particulars: Location
• Washtenaw County near the border with
Jackson County, south of Chelsea
• District consists of several townships and
the village of Manchester
• Largely rural

6. MDL Particulars:
Population
• Total population of the District: ~5,300
• Median age 46 years
• Income levels higher than average for
Michigan; ~$87,000 annually
• Overwhelmingly Caucasian population (98%)

7. MDL Particulars: Unique
Attributes
• Recently Incorporated (2000)
• New Director hired in September 2013
• Requesting funds through millage in
November
• Lack of strategic scaffolding

8. HOMESCHOOL TRENDS AND
BEST PRACTICES
Amy Scott

9. Research Questions
• How can MDL provide the best experience for community
members who homeschool?
– What are the best resources for finding new homeschool
material?
– How does MDL determine which materials are best for its
community?
– Does the collection meet the needs of homeschooling patrons?
– What services best support the needs of patrons who are
homeschooling?

10. Research Findings: Nat’l
Trends in Homeschooling
• Increase of 0.08% in number of
homeschooled children from 1999-2007
• Children before fourth grade most likely to be
homeschooled
• Greatest percentage in rural areas
• 78% of homeschooled families obtained
materials through their public library

11. Research Findings: Best
Practices
• Keep copies of catalogs of homeschool
materials
• Have a brochure highlighting materials
and services for homeschoolers

12. Research Findings:
Materials Likely in Demand
• Biographies (Cambpell, 2002)
• Encyclopedias (Marquam, 2008)
• Historical fiction (Marquam, 2008)
• Historical re-enactment guides, plans, and recipes (Paradise,
2008)
• Science documentaries (Cambpell, 2002)
• Teacher resources (Marquam, 2008)
• Topical curriculum kits (Furness, 2008)

13. CASE STUDY
Lauren Day

14. Research Findings: Case
Study – Johnsburg Library
• Demographics
• Grant
• Survey

15. Research Findings: Case
Study – Johnsburg Library
• Loan of kits and science paraphernalia
• Increased use, including out of towners
• HRC prefix in catalog

16. Research Findings: Catalog
Screenshot

17. RECOMMENDATIONS
Erin Kinnee

18. Recommendations for
MDL
• Community Assessment
– Survey
– Focus Groups
• Advisory Committee
• Goal Setting

19. Community Assessment
• Survey
– Creation and Distribution
• Focus Groups
– Composition and Barriers to Participation

20. Advisory Committee
• Purpose
• Composition
• Acquisition of Members

21. Goal Setting
• Role of Advisory Committee
• Role of Library Director
• Role of Board of Trustees
• Data Analysis and Application

22. SUMMARY
Chris Bulin

23. Review
• Introduce you to MDL
• Explore best practices and trends in
homeschooling
• Discuss a model for a superb homeschool
collection
• Describe recommendations for MDL

24. Take Aways
• Community Needs Assessment
• Ongoing Community Feedback
• Strategic Planning

25. Thank you!
Questions?
Contact Us:
Team.MDL.SI.620@umich.edu

26. • Campbell, Caralyn Bayne. "Shelby County Public Libraries and Homeschooling Parents." Alabama
Librarian 52, no. 1 (January 2002): 11-12. Library Literature & Information Science Full Text (H.W.
Wilson), EBSCOhost (accessed March 12, 2014).
• Furness, A. (2008). Curriculum Kits for Homeschoolers. Public Libraries, 47 (3), 23-24.
• Marquam, T. (2008). Fable and Fact: Serving the Homeschool Population in Public Libraries. Indiana
Libraries, 27 (1), 12-18.
• National Center for Education Statistics 2011. (2012). Number and Percentage of Homeschooled Students
Ages 5 through 17 with a Grade Equivalent of Kindergarten through 12th Grade, by Selected Child, Parent,
and Household Characteristics: 1999, 2003, and 2007. Digest of Education Statistics. Accessed March 13,
2014. http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d11/tables/dt11_040.asp
• Paradise, C. (2008). Our Homeschool Alliance is a Winner. Public Libraries, 47 (3) 21-22.
• Princiotta, D., Bielick, S., and Chapman, C. (2006) Homeschooling in the United States: 2003: Statistical
Analysis Report. U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences. Accessed April 5, 2014,
from http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/2006042.pdf
References