Homework Help Centers: This is an after-school program for students from kindergarten to high school seniors to help them complete their homework. We make sure they understand the instructions, that they have the tools they need to complete their homework (including free printing), and staff and volunteers are available to check the homework and help out as needed. This is takes place in 22 branches.

Reading Buddies: This after school program is for young readers from kindergarten through third grade. Students read to volunteers and staff, and we help them when they struggle with the text. When the story is complete, the staff or volunteer ask the student comprehension questions to make sure they understand what they read. This takes place in 15-minute segments. This takes place in 21 locations.

Storytimes: Our staff host reading activities to our youngest customers. This includes: Baby Laptime, Toddler Storytime, and Family Storytime. These activities are held multiple times each week at each of our 21 locations.

Life Skills: This program is geared toward adults and is focused on helping them gain career enhancing computer skills, including writing resumes, cover letters, and completing online employment applications. Whatever assistance our customers need, a bank of computers is reserved for work. This is featured at select branches where this service is needed.

Ready to Read: This is a specialized team of employees who go into the homes of at-risk customers to help teach parents how to engage their children so they can help them prepare the youth for kindergarten. This group is broken into teams that help customers in specific neighborhoods who sign up for the service.

Summer Reading Club: Summer Reading Club is to engage everyone from cradle to grave to read over the summer. School age children who read over the summer are better prepared in the fall to begin school again. Research shows that students who engage in reading programs over the summer need less review when school starts again in August. This program engaged over 82,000 children, teens, and adults. Each location hosts several special programs that encourage learning throughout the summer.

YouMedia: A program where teens come to select locations and learn and experiment with video and all types of online multimedia tools.

Teen Engagement Groups: We are currently working on designing a program for teens where they can develop leadership skills as they tackle an assortment of library-related projects. This is still in its infancy.

Teen Advisory Boards: Teen Advisory Boards (TABs) are primarily discussion groups for teens about books they’ve read, activities in the libraries, and social issues. They also host teen programs, such as puppet shows for younger customers, gingerbread houses at the holiday time, and a variety of activities at selected locations.