Volunteer tutors help library create lifelong learners

When I was in the 10th grade, my grades were slipping. I had trouble following teachers. I didn’t understand math and the teacher went too fast, so when I didn’t understand a part of the homework, I fell behind. In English and social studies, it was the same. I read slowly, so reading a chapter was a painstaking effort which would go unfinished in many cases. In most cases, I struggled to make a C average.

During the summer between my sophomore and junior year in high school, my parents sent me to a tutor twice a week. They showed me how to study. I gained the confidence I needed to succeed. Slowly, my grades got better, but more importantly, I began to think of what I could do for my future. Without that experience, I think my life would have turned out very differently, and without the fulfillment of many of the goals I achieved.

I have a great job as coordinator of the library’s Lifelong Learning Center; I see successes every day. I see students and their parents come into the library seeking help, and I know they are at the same turning point in their education I was many years ago. I see adults who, for whatever reason, have been left behind by their education and want to improve their reading and writing. I see new and future citizens who have adopted English as their second language look to improve their proficiency.

I see volunteer tutors bring their expertise to help these students. In many cases, they’ve received the same help when they were younger and feel it contributed to their success in life, and now they want to give back. I see their relationships with their students turn into friendships and the initial quiet exchanges turn into laughter. In some cases, I see students become tutors themselves.

The Lifelong Learning Center has a great opportunity to help the many students that have applied this fall, but we need more tutors to accomplish that goal. Tutors don’t need to be retired school teachers or math geniuses with lots of time on their hands. They just need to carve out one or two hours from their busy schedule each week to give back to their community. We’ll provide excellent training, private tutoring rooms and administrative support.

We currently have openings for science, and adult, elementary, middle, and high school math tutors. If you are in a position to share your time and talents to make a difference to a struggling student — at a mere, two hours per week, please contact Mike Bauer at 265-2665 to schedule an interview. You may find that, in your quest to give something back to the community, you are the one to receive the reward.

- Friday, Dec. 15 to Saturday, Dec. 16 — Clark Fork Friends of the Library Holiday Sale, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Find great deals on used books and media at this special sale at the Clark Fork Library, 601 Main St. For details, call 266-1321.

- Monday, Dec. 18 — Board Games. 3:30 p.m. at the Sandpoint Teen Center. The library partners with the Teen Center on select Mondays for STEAM education or just to burn off steam after a long day of school. For more information, contact Morgan at 263-6930 ext. 1245 or morgan@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Dec. 19 — Mother Goose, 10:15 a.m. Story Times will be at Creations on the Cedar St. Bridge for a while due to the construction project. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 yrs and caregivers. Information: suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Dec. 19 — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m., at Creations. Stories and crafts for kids ages 2-5 years. The Library’s Story Times will be at Creations on the Cedar St. Bridge for a while due to the construction project. Information: suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Dec. 19 — Robotics with Lego Mindstorm, 3 p.m. Learn to build or code. For boys and girls age 8+ at the Clark Fork Branch. Subject to cancelation. Please call 266-1321 to confirm before attending.

- Wednesday, Dec. 20 — Clark Fork Stories & More, 10:30 a.m. Kids and their caregivers enjoy story time, songs, snacks, and crafts at the Clark Fork Branch.

- Wednesday, Dec. 20 — Crafternoon – Ornament Making, 2 p.m. at the Sandpoint Branch Library lobby, 1407 Cedar. Free family fun with an artistic craft to take home. Information: 263-6930 ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.